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Monday 8am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Prairie Land Conservancy

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Prairie Land Conservancy

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We are a division of Prairie Hills Resource Conservation and Development.

Founded in 2008, the mission of Prairie Land Conservancy is to preserve wildlife habitat, open space, natural areas and sustainable agricultural land within west-central Illinois.

10/09/2026

Our office will be closed next Monday in observance of Indigenous People's Day.

Here are some recommendations for ways to celebrate this day:

-Read Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (did you know we have a 4-week seminar class on this book this month?!)

-Start Indian Country 101 (a free online class through The Nature Conservancy) https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/how-we-work/community-led-conservation/indian-country-101/

-Watch Native American History on the CrashCourse Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgyEIjQ0cr4&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtNNaritQa7QqwEJeQHH0TxX

Let us know if you have great resources to share about Indigenous history and current cultures!

10/07/2026

This 4-week class brought to you by Prairie Land Conservancy and Arthouse Folk School in Macomb! Join us for a guided, book discussion of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Robin Kimmerer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Her book explores reciprocal relationships between humans and the land. Robin weaves storytelling and environmental knowledge throughout this poetic read.

Teachers for this class include our program coordinator Jaime “JD” Webb and Prairie Land Conservancy volunteer Brent Hopkins.

The group will discuss lessons from the book as well as expand on scientific concepts such as prairies. The book is broken down into four parts, one for each meeting. You are invited to attend all or just a few lessons as you are able.

Dates: Oct 20, Oct 27, Nov 3, Nov 10 from 6-7:30 PM

$5 per class or $15 for pay-at once-bundle. There are scholarships available if you would like to take the class but cannot afford to. Email us at [email protected]

Register and pay online
https://arthousefolkschool.com/event/lessons-from-braiding-sweetgrass/

10/06/2026

Thank you for helping YOUR conservation community raise $8,933 for conservation in a single night!

At Extending the Prairie Table on Sept 26th, our land trust community came together to celebrate prairie conservation and work towards more land protection.

Because MORE prairies and forests can’t be protected without a Stewardship Building. A place to store seeds and volunteer supplies. A workshop for interns to learn the skills needed to heal the natural lands you love.

You’ve now helped us raise a total $165,500 of our $250,000 goal for a Stewardship Building. So we can quit keeping our lawnmower in the living room, i.e. keeping stewardship supplies in our office.

Again, thank you. We are so grateful for our conservation community.

If you'd like to help us get one step closer to breaking ground, you can give online at https://prairielandconservancy.org/stewardship-building.html or mail a check to 321 W University Drive Macomb IL 61455.

Special shout out to Stuart Allison (blue shirt at podium) of Knox College who perfectly summarized the meaning of community conservation in his talk that night!

10/05/2026

Join our next Lunch & Learn for a presentation by Mark DuBois of Central Illinois Insects! Titled Unusual, Obscure, and Preposterous Insects, you're in for a fantastic hour exploring the world of our native insects!

Date: Friday Oct 9th
Time: Noon - 1 PM

Register below and we will send you the Zoom link closer to the event.

prairielandconservancy.org/events

10/04/2026

Join your local land trust, Prairie Land Conservancy, for a calm, prairie seed collecting volunteer event! Held on Sat Oct 10th from 1-2:30 PM at Rezab Family Prairie Meadow.

Why collect prairie seeds? This is a great way to get free, local genetic seed to plant on our nature preserves. Helping improve the health of our prairies so that they provide food for our pollinators and birds.

Some of the collected seed will be shared at the Illinois Extension Seed Share on Oct 31st and the rest will be planted on Prairie Land Conservancy nature preserves.

You can help the next generation of prairie flowers bloom next year!

Register online now at prairielandconservancy.org/events so we can make sure we have enough materials!

10/02/2026

Our conservation program is supported by hunting on some of our protected landscapes. For this reason, some properties, such as Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary and Stony Hills Nature Preserve, are not open to the public from Oct 1 2026- January 31st, 2027 unless it is a scheduled event.

Please reference our website Events page for opportunities to visit these preserves during hunting season with staff.

Elwood Wildlife Preserve will remain open to the public from dawn till dusk.

The trails near the parking lot at Prairie Hills Wetland Reserve remain open. Access ends at the new bridge to the left of the parking lot.

09/25/2026

Western Illinois University Environmental Service Club students and alumni enjoyed a field trip to Cindy Owsley's restored prairie this week! Cindy is a long time land trust member who has worked hard to bring prairie, woods, and wetlands back on her own property.

The group encountered a garter snake during the prairie walk. A special moment to connect with the wildlife that restoration is for.

Restoration is also for humans to enjoy as well! After building a fire, the club gathered around to make some brats and marshmellows. Celebrating the importance of local conservation efforts together.

Thanks ESC and we hope to see you all at some of our other events soon!

09/24/2026

Join PLC's Conservation Book Club as we read The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl.

Follow the creatures and plants in Margaret's backyard over the course of a year! With beautiful illustrations throughout.

Join us on Oct 12th at 6 PM at The W**e Sellers in Macomb for a relaxed book discussion with fellow nature readers.

Register at prairielandconservancy.org/events

Address

321 W. University Drive
Macomb, IL
61455

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13098334747

Website

http://www.prairielandconservancy.org/

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