The ParkLands Foundation’s first annual Earth Day Volunteer Challenge (April 22 - 25) aims to raise ecological awareness and make a collective impact on protecting the natural heritage of central Illinois.  Approximately 10 teams of 10 volunteers will compete across numerous ParkLands preserves to remove the most invasive plants, preserving the

A spring favorite is back!  Local naturalists, including ISU Distinguished Professor Emeritus, botanist, ecologist, and ParkLands legend Roger Anderson, will lead guided tours of Merwin Preserve's vibrant spring wildflowers on Saturday, May 1st.  Four sessions are available: 10:00am, 10:15am, 10:30am, and 10:45am. Register Here!  

Save the date!  Hands-on exploration of nocturnal animals for all ages.  Registration coming soon.

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.  Registration and details coming soon...

  Two different prairies, two different ecosystems, one story of conservation.  Join us for a morning exploring two high-quality samples of Illinois' most famous landscape; prairie.  Guided tours of Ridgetop Hill Prairie Nature Preserve and Letcher Basin Land & Water Reserve.  Registration coming soon!

orangethroat darter (Etheostoma spectabile) .  Photo © Lance Merry Save the date!  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, yet often overlooked, fish diversity.  Registration coming soon...

Save the date.  Registration coming soon!

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

Save the date.  Registration and details coming soon!