Natural Land Institute

06/06/2026

Lovely images from this week’s Wildflower Walkabout at Burr Oak Valley Nature Preserve.

06/05/2026

NLI’s Legacy Tree Program announces the June Tree of the Month is an American Elm (Ulmus americana) located at Capron United Methodist Church, 250 W. North St., Capron, IL 61012. This magnificent American Elm is a standout in the Village of Capron in northern Boone County, just a block off busy highway 173. It is a relic of the past, one of the finest American Elms still around today after the dreaded alien Dutch Elm Disease wiped them out of our region in the 1960’s. The tree is 76 feet tall, has an average crown spread of 96.5 feet and is 196 inches (over 16-feet!) in circumference.

The nominator, Anita Crout, is a member of Capron United Methodist Church where the tree is located. She said, “We are so happy to be part of this. As a life-long resident of the village of Capron (69 years), that tree has always been part of the church as far back as I can remember. The church itself is 158 years old. No one can remember just when it was planted but my sister Nancy (73 years old) can remember using the outhouses by the tree when she attended Vacation Bible School. A few years back, a bad ice storm in February caused some branches to fall and do minor damage to our neighbors; they wanted us to cut down the tree. Thankfully, it didn't come to that but we did have some of the branches trimmed. People going through town have stopped to admire and comment on it.” She added, “We love our tree and are grateful for the recognition you wish to bestow on it.”

Magnificent American Elms such as this tree were once commonplace across the eastern United States – during the Revolutionary War they were often a “Liberty Tree” in colonial towns where patriots gathered to discuss freedom, organize resistance and inspire action.

Read the full story and see more photos here:
https://www.naturalland.org/magnificent-american-elm-in-capron/
Photos by Christopher Reisetter

06/04/2026

Thank you to Kiwanis Club of Rockford for awarding a $2,000 grant to NLI that supports our new free admission 2-day BioBlitz event that provides free outdoor fun for all ages!

🌿💚 Making a Difference for Children and Families Through Nature! 💚🌿

The Kiwanis Club of Rockford is proud to award a $2,000 Project Grant to the Natural Land Institute in support of their exciting new free two-day event, BioBlitz!

This hands-on community event will bring families, children, educators, and nature enthusiasts together to explore, discover, and learn about the incredible plants, animals, and ecosystems that make our natural spaces so special. By connecting young people with nature, BioBlitz helps inspire curiosity, environmental stewardship, and a lifelong appreciation for the world around us.

Kiwanis is dedicated to improving the lives of children, and we’re honored to support programs that provide educational opportunities, encourage outdoor exploration, and strengthen our community.

Congratulations to the Natural Land Institute on this wonderful new event! We can’t wait to see the impact BioBlitz will have on local families and future generations. 💛💙🤍💫✨

05/29/2026

No fogging! Try the mosquito bucket challenge to eliminate mosquitos. You can be creative with it (decorate the bucket). See the how to and some creative ideas here:

Natural mosquito control: The Mosquito Bucket Challenge is a safe, affordable way to control mosquitoes without harming kids, pets, or pollinators.

05/26/2026

Why are native plants important for a healthy landscape? Come and find out at this program on July 7th!