NEWS
Invitation for Bids Knoll Family Wildlife Sanctuary Ecological Restoration for HeartLands Conservancy
Dear Qualified Contractors: HeartLands Conservancy (HLC) is seeking bids from qualified ecological contractors to remove invasive species at one of our owned properties, the Knoll Family Wildlife Sanctuary. The project site is located at the southwest corner of...
Finding Purpose in the Places We Love
When Paula Homan retired, she knew she wanted to spend her time doing things that mattered to her. She wanted to stay busy, meet people, keep learning and, most of all, find ways to make a difference.
Every Child Deserves a Place to Explore
Some of the best childhood memories aren't planned. They're the afternoons spent turning over rocks to see what lives underneath, watching butterflies drift through a field, listening for frogs after a summer rain, or following a winding trail just to see where it...
Local Water Quality Projects Showcase During Tour in Highland
Highland, Illinois — What does it take to keep a lake healthy? On Monday, September 14, HeartLands Conservancy will invite community members to see some of the answers firsthand during its Clean Water, Bright Future Tour in the Highland Silver Lake Watershed. The tour...
One Gift. Conserving Many More.
Sometimes a gift of land can accomplish far more than protecting a single property. It can create opportunities that continue benefiting conservation for years to come. In 2025, a generous couple donated their farmland in St. Clair County, near the Mississippi River,...
Creating More Room for Wildlife
If you've ever watched a bald eagle soar overhead, spotted a river otter along the water's edge, or listened to the songs of migrating birds, you've experienced just a glimpse of what makes southern Illinois such a remarkable place. Protecting those experiences and...
Your Love for the Land Can Live On
Think about one of your favorite places outdoors. Maybe it's a trail you've walked for years, a creek where your kids caught their first frog, a family farm that's been passed down through generations, or a patch of prairie that's especially beautiful when the...
A Rare Prairie Needs Your Help This Summer
At first glance, it might not seem unusual. Just 40 acres in western Madison County, near Edwardsville. But this rare sand prairie is home to threatened frogs and turtles, hundreds of native prickly pear cactus, and a remarkable community of plants and wildlife that...
Request for Proposals – Community Forestry Services
NOTICE: Addendum No. 1 for the Request for Proposals (RFP) for project titled "Tree Inventory, Community Forestry Management Plan, and Tree Removal and Planting." This Addendum addresses questions received from Proposers before August 6th 2026. Questions submitted...
Summer trail tips
The change of seasons calls for some slight changes in preparations before you hit the trails. Here are some quick tips for making the most of and staying safe on your summertime adventures.Casey GalvinStart early or go late. The coolest and most comfortable hiking...
Conserving land for weather extremes
In southern Illinois, we are seeing more frequent heavy rain events, stronger storms, longer dry spells, and dramatic temperature swings. Like us, wildlife are vulnerable to extreme weather. Without intentional conservation efforts, many species—and many...
Trout Hollow Hill Prairie Dedicated as Nature Preserve
On May 19, 2026, the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission approved the dedication of the Trout Hollow Hill Prairie as an Illinois Nature Preserve. In Illinois, a Nature Preserve designation is the highest form of protection for a natural area. It permanently protects...
Restoring Water Flow to Support a Neighborhood
When people hear the word “restoration,” they often think about projects that focus on wildlife habitat. While that work is an important part of what HeartLands Conservancy does, restoration can also mean solving problems that affect people and communities. A recent...
Boosting Health through Birdwatching
Birding—the simple act of observing birds in their natural habitats—offers far more than a pleasant way to pass the time. It is a powerful tool for improving mental, cognitive, and physical health. In a world filled with constant notifications and busy schedules,...
Healing on the Trail: One Step at a Time
Trails and publicly accessible green spaces offer something powerful: a place to breathe, move, and reconnect — with nature and with one another. Research has shown that spending time in parks and natural areas can reduce stress, support heart health, and improve...
17 Years Later, the Woods and Farm Remain
In 2009, Ray and Mitze Nitzsche did something extraordinary. They couldn’t bear the thought of their property in Randolph County, Illinois, someday being broken up or developed. The land had been in their family for generations - over a hundred years. They had...
A Lasting Gift for Birds: Grisley Woods
Forests are some of Illinois’ most valuable natural places. They provide homes for wildlife, clean air and water, and offer quiet spaces where people can reconnect with nature. Protecting these landscapes is essential for the future of both wildlife and communities....
Bird Vulnerable to Weather Extremes and Forest Loss
The Scarlet Tanager is a striking, red bird that migrates and breeds in the large forest blocks of southern Illinois. They find their meals of berries and insects and make their nests in mature oak trees. The National Audubon Society has listed the Scarlet Tanager as...
Community Effort Protects Habitat at Knoll
Knoll Family Wildlife Sanctuary is a small but important natural area surrounded by neighborhoods and large warehouse development. The reserve gives people a place to enjoy the outdoors while also protecting plants and animals that depend on its sandy landscape. Knoll...
