A rare chance for all ages to explore nature under the cover of darkness. Local biologists and educators will lead guests around Letcher Basin on a search for the diverse, amazing life that becomes active at night. After a bonfire and s'mores, guests will split into two groups.  One group will take a short

Help ensure our annual bike ride is a safe and fun experience for all! We need around 10 volunteers at each of two rest stops to accommodate COVID-19 safety measures, such as separate food and water/Gatorade tables. Volunteers will handle all food and drink for the cyclists to minimize touches, while also frequently sanitizing the

Save the date for our most popular event!  Supported out-and-back rides of varying lengths depart Lexington, IL and follow the Mackinaw River Valley to highlight the areas unique landscape, including several ParkLands preserves. For more information and sign-up visit parklandsfoundation.org/bikeride

Help fight back against invasive woody brush such as bush honeysuckle and autumn olive from our community's most beloved preserve.  Involves some physical activity navigating unlevel ground, using loppers/handsaws, and handheld herbicide sprayers.  Please bring water, work gloves, sturdy shoes and long pants. Sign up to volunteer!   For more information: About Merwin Preserve About bush

Help fight back against woody brush invading the biodiversity of Sweeney Woods!  Involves some physical activity navigating unlevel ground, using loppers/handsaws, and handheld herbicide sprayers.  Please bring water, work gloves, sturdy shoes and long pants. Sign up to volunteer!   For more information: About Sweeney Woods About invasive brush removal How to identify silver maple trees

  Two different prairies, two different ecosystems, one story of conservation.  Join us for a morning comparing two high-quality examples of Illinois' most famous landscape; prairie.  Start at either Ridgetop Hill Prairie Nature Preserve and Letcher Basin Land & Water Reserve, and switch halfway through.  A hayrack trailer will be used to tour Letcher Basin,

In follow up to last year's popular mussel event, we will again explore the river for a hands-on learning opportunity about the Mackinaw River's amazing aquatic diversity.  Yes, we'll find mussels, but we'll also find darters, microinvertebrates, macroinvertebrates, and more.  Registration coming soon.   orangethroat darter (Etheostoma spectabile) .  Photo © Lance Merry

Save the date.  Registration coming soon!

Help fight back against invasive woody brush such as bush honeysuckle and autumn olive!  Involves some physical activity navigating unlevel ground, using loppers/handsaws, and handheld herbicide sprayers.  Please bring water, work gloves, sturdy shoes and long pants. Sign up to volunteer!   For more information: About Chinquapin Bluffs About bush honeysuckle control About autumn olive

Help fight back against woody brush invading the biodiversity of Chinquapin Bluffs!  We will focus on shrub-sized black locust trees in the prairie.  Involves some physical activity navigating unlevel ground, using loppers/handsaws, and handheld herbicide sprayers.  Please bring water, work gloves, sturdy shoes and long pants. Sign up to volunteer!   For more information: About Chinquapin

                  Save the date!  Join us for our 55th annual Meeting of the Members at Sweeney Woods Preserve.  Registration coming soon...

Help protect the biodiversity of one of central Illinois' best prairie restorations! We will removing invasive teasel before it goes to seed.  Involves some physical activity navigating unlevel ground and using pruners/loppers.  Please bring water, work gloves, sturdy shoes and long pants. Sign up to volunteer!   For more information: About Letcher Basin Land & Water