Exciting Conservation Events with Prairie Land Conservancy
By: Forgottonia Times™ Report
Prairie Land Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving natural habitats in west-central Illinois, is hosting two major events this March: the opening of a new bird sanctuary and its annual meeting, both aimed at celebrating conservation efforts and fostering community engagement.
On Saturday, March 22nd, the organization will unveil the Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary, a 200-acre preserve of oak-hickory woodlands, prairie, and riparian zones along Wigwam Hollow Creek. The site, now open to the public, provides critical habitat for migratory birds and the endangered Indiana bat.
The free event will feature two guided hikes, with the first from 9-11 a.m. and a second, shorter hike from 1-2 p.m., following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “I hope people enjoy the new, protected outdoor space. It’s beautiful, especially when the prairie is in full swing,” said Executive Director Dr. Victoria Livingston.
The sanctuary has been years in the making. In 2012, Prairie Land Conservancy acquired an initial 18 acres from the Illinois Audubon Society, and in 2019, Lew and Suanne Marx donated an additional 181 acres. Funding for the restoration came in part from pipeline mitigation efforts and local businesses and volunteers contributing to the preparation of trails and infrastructure.
Just days later, on Tuesday, March 25th, the conservancy will host its annual meeting at the Macomb Country Club from 4:15-7:30 p.m. The event is free, with an optional paid dinner to follow. This year’s keynote speaker is Brent Fowler, a local farmer dedicated to integrating conservation with agriculture. Fowler, who raises corn and soybeans on 3,500 acres with his family, has worked to transform unfarmable land into a habitat for bobwhite quail and other wildlife.
Dinner tickets are available for purchase online at prairielandconservancy.org/events, by mail-in, or in person at 321 W. University Dr. in Macomb. Tickets are for sale until March 17th
“If people are interested in conserving their land or learning about ways to get involved, we’d love to answer their questions,” said Livingston.
With over 2,400 acres in its care, Prairie Land Conservancy continues its mission of protecting woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. More information on both events, including hike registration and dinner ticket sales, can be found at prairielandconservancy.org/events.
