HeartLands Conservancy

06/02/2026

Want to help keep the water clean in our region's rivers and creeks?

You can help at a stream cleanup of the Rocky Branch at Steve Bryant Park in Bethalto, Illinois. Rocky Branch flows into Wood River creek and ultimately into the Mississippi River. We'll be removing trash from the creek to help all of these streams stay a little cleaner.

If you'll be in the area, join us and our friends from the Village of Bethalto, Madison County, and National Great Rivers Research and Education Center on June 13, 2026 from 9 am to noon.

Location: Steve Bryant Park
4300 Culp Ln, Bethalto, IL 62010
Register here: https://heartlandsconservancy.org/event/stream-cleanup-steve-bryant-park/

By registering, you’ll help us plan the right amount of supplies for the day. Specific details will be sent via email before the event.

This event is part of River Days of Action (June 1-15) — One Mississippi’s two weeks of in-person and online events connecting people across the country to the Mississippi River and making a difference for people, land, water, and wildlife. Explore more events at mississippiriver.org/river-days-of-action.


1 Mississippi National Great Rivers Research and Education Center Bethalto Village Madison County Resource Management Illinois EPA

06/01/2026

"...the trees can spread easily. Birds and other wildlife eat the trees’ fruit and pass the seeds, while the trees also can cross-pollinate with other species. Both help them spread.

When Callery pear trees spread, they form dense thickets that crowd out native plants local wildlife depends on for survival.

Vandevord cited Knoll Family Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the local prairie habitats HeartLands Conservancy protects, as an example of this degradation.

'Callery pears had spread...over the years and nearly destroyed the prairie habitat. That prairie is home to two threatened species in Illinois: ornate box turtles and Illinois chorus frogs. These animals are in danger of extinction in our state because 99% of prairies have been destroyed,' Vandevord said."

Our conservation team and volunteers have been battling invasive Callery Pears (sometimes called 'Bradford Pears') at two of our prairies in Edwardsville. Thank you to the The Edwardsville Intelligencer for sharing more information about how this tree has caused degradation over the years and is being phased out of Illinois.

Conservation groups say the fast-spreading trees are already damaging local prairies and crowding out native plants wildlife depends on.

05/30/2026

A walk in nature walks the soul back home.
- Mary Davis

05/28/2026

Bottomland forests are some of Illinois’ most important natural habitats. Found along rivers and wetlands, these forests help reduce flooding, improve water quality, and provide homes for countless birds, deer, turtles, and other wildlife.

Illinois' largest bottomland forest is located along the Kaskaskia River between Carlyle Lake and Fayetteville. That forest is more than 7,000 acres - more than 5 Forest Parks - and is critical, connected habitat.

Protecting these forests helps protect Illinois’ natural future.

05/27/2026

Yellow bird alert!

Last week at Poag Sand Prairie, volunteers spotted a yellow-breasted chat.

These birds migrate each April to the southern Illinois region from Central America and spend their summers here. They nest in brushy areas and thickets low to the ground.

They need conserved prairies and forest edges so they can have places to live and find food when they arrive here each year.

Learn more about Poag Sand Prairie: https://heartlandsconservancy.org/project/poag-sand-prairie/

05/26/2026

“It felt glorious, like being a kid again.” - Teresa, a hiker and first time Jingle Hike Challenge participant.

Teresa decided to participate in the Jingle Hike Challenge for the first time in 2025. She set a modest goal of completing four relatively flat, accessible trails.

But something unexpected happened along the way. With encouragement from family and fellow hikers encountered on the trails, four hikes became all TWELVE.

Her journey is a reminder that our region’s trails are more than recreational spaces. They are places where healing can begin — physically, emotionally, and socially.

Bravo, Teresa! Thank you for sharing your story from the trails.

Read more of Teresa's story:

Learn about one Jingle Hike Challenge participant's journey of healing on the trail and the power of nature in recovery.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we’re especially grateful for parks, trails, waters, and open spaces that bring people together.

Protecting these places helps ensure future generations can continue to make memories outdoors and enjoy the land that so many have fought for.

📸 Dixon Springs State Park Waterfall by Peggy Jarvis

05/24/2026

Did you know that our region's native prickly pear cactus, in addition to looking beautiful, is an important plant for wildlife?

Animals like ornate box turtles, white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, coyotes, striped skunks, and thirteen-lined ground squirrels eat the fruit and sometimes the pads of the cactus. It's especially desirable during dry periods, which are happening more frequently.

Knoll Family Wildlife Sanctuary in Edwardsville, Illinois, has a large population of these stunning species. It's important to protect places like this for wildlife.

We're hosting a walk among the cactus blossoms on June 4 at 9 am. If you'll be in the Edwardsville area, sign up on our website:
https://heartlandsconservancy.org/event/cactus-blossom-walk-at-knoll-wildlife-sanctuary-2/

05/23/2026

This oak tree and me, we're made of the same stuff. - Carl Sagan

05/22/2026

The HeartLands Conservancy Team is taking a break May 22-25 in observance of Memorial Day. If you try to give us a buzz while we're out, we'll be sure to be back in touch when normal operations begin on Tuesday, May 26.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend.

Photo by Dr. Karen Louis