We have an exciting range of events for Tree Week, so mark your calendars now and stay tuned for more information. Tuesday, April 26: Tree ID at HLC HLC will host a short tree identification course. This event will include a brief presentation on how to identify trees, common trees of Illinois, a sunset city […]
We have an exciting range of events for Tree Week, so mark your calendars now and stay tuned for more information. Wednesday, April 27: Kids Experience Day with Fairmont City Schools HLC will partner with Fairmont City and Kreitner Elementary School to provide a hands-on, experiential field trip for students to engage in tree planting […]
We have an exciting range of events for Tree Week, so mark your calendars now and stay tuned for more information. Friday, April 29: Tree Planting Day Celebrate Arbor Day with a Tree Planting in your community! HLC invites communities who received community trees to share via social media your tree planting event. For any […]
Bring your lightsaber and join HeartLands Conservancy and River Bend Astronomy Club at Highland Silver Lake for a night hike and star gazing! Space is limited to 30 participants, so please register to attend. To seeing you we look forward!
Members Hike with CEO at Bohm Woods Nature Preserve Join us on what is sure to be an amazing member only hike with our CEO, Mary Vandevord! Bohm Woods Nature Preserve is the only remaining Grade A old-growth forest in Madison County. We will look for woodland wildflowers in bloom and listen for birds that […]
Preserving natural areas for wildlife includes removing and controlling the spread of plants that don't belong and cause harm to the ecosystem. Sometimes the only way to do this is with herbicide. This training is for volunteers to learn to safely use herbicides and identify the invasive plant species that will be treated. Participants will […]
Become an HLC Tree Steward! HeartLands Conservancy is excited to announce the return of the Tree Stewards volunteer program, where volunteers will help look after and take care of new trees in our communities. Our second class of Tree Stewards will be trained through our Tree Stewards Training Program, a free, six week course that […]
Sold Out! Become a creature of the night with HLC. Join us as we traverse the trails from Bohm Woods Nature Preserve to Drda Woods. HLC staff and volunteers will lead participants on a 2 mile hike under the light of the full moon. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes, bringing a flash light, and providing […]
Volunteers are critical to a successful Plant Sale Pick Up Day. In the spring of 2022, 22 volunteers provided 69 hours of assistance to help get over 1500 plants and trees to their new homes. Volunteers will help sort and organize plants, assist customers in fulfilling orders, and help clean up and break down the […]
Come join HeartLands Conservancy's Conservation Team for a hybrid guided hike/volunteer workday experience. We will meander through the trail network while recording plants and critters we observe and collecting ripe prairie seed. All experience levels are welcome. Each Thursday will focus on a different part of nature at Arlington Wetlands. Please wear pants and sturdy […]
Join HLC and Alpine Shop for an easy and enjoyable kayak trip from Pere Marquette State Park to Grafton, IL. This WADE: Discover a River! Kayaking trip will start on the Illinois River and end on the Mighty Mississippi. A total of about 7 miles in less than 3 hours. After the float, we'll go […]
Come join HeartLands Conservancy's Conservation Team for a hybrid guided hike/volunteer workday experience. We will meander through the trail network while recording plants and critters we observe and collecting ripe prairie seed. All experience levels are welcome. Each Thursday will focus on a different part of nature at Arlington Wetlands. Please wear pants and sturdy […]
Come join HeartLands Conservancy's Conservation Team for a hybrid guided hike/volunteer workday experience. We will meander through the trail network while recording plants and critters we observe and collecting ripe prairie seed. All experience levels are welcome. Each Thursday will focus on a different part of nature at Arlington Wetlands. Please wear pants and sturdy […]
Come join HeartLands Conservancy's Conservation Team for a hybrid guided hike/volunteer workday experience. We will meander through the trail network while recording plants and critters we observe and collecting ripe prairie seed. All experience levels are welcome. Each Thursday will focus on a different part of nature at Arlington Wetlands. Please wear pants and sturdy […]
Whether you want to increase your tree identification skills for recreational and educational purposes, or want a leg-up on the competition for HLC's 2022 Jingle Hike, this brief class is the perfect opportunity to learn some of the key features and techniques used for tree identification in the winter! How to come prepared:This event […]
Jingle bells are tied to 12 trees in parks throughout the Metro East from Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day. Participants are asked to visit as many of the parks as they can, take a photo with the bell, and submit the photo evidence in our system. You can also share your photos on social […]
Become an HLC Tree Steward! HeartLands Conservancy is excited to announce the return of the Tree Stewards volunteer program, where volunteers will help look after and take care of new trees in our communities. Our second class of Tree Stewards will be trained through our Tree Stewards Training Program, a free, six week course that […]
Learn about early spring frogs in southwestern Illinois in this easy, family-friendly walk through one of our favorite natural areas. Learn to identify certain frog calls and see if you can find any frogs as we walk! How to come prepared: This event will be outdoors during the evening (when the frogs call) rain or […]
Join us for a hike under the full moon! How to come prepared: This event will be outdoors during the night. Please dress appropriately for weather conditions and wear comfortable walking shoes, with good tread (it can be slippery this time of year). Flashlights or headlamps are recommended but not required. Registration required below. Donations are […]
Join us for a hike through Knobeloch Woods Nature Preserve! Enjoy a guided trek through the woods as we admire the blooming spring wildflowers! Sturdy hiking boots and long pants recommended. Donations welcome and appreciated, but not required. For questions, please contact Sean Pelato, sean.pelato@heartlandsconservancy.org Please park along Rentchler Road near 3018 Rentchler Road. Julius […]
Join us for an exciting event focused on our nighttime friends! Enjoy a guided hike as we discuss nocturnal creatures and their adaptations at Arlington Wetlands. How to come prepared: This event will be outdoors during the night. Please dress appropriately for weather conditions and wear comfortable walking shoes, with good tread (it can be […]
Join us for a guided walk through the meadow and demonstration areas at the Exploration Garden at Swansea Clinton Hills Conservation Park. The hike will be led by a member of our Land Conservation Team. Learn about the Garden's flowers, pollinators, and ecosystem! Donations welcome and appreciated, but not required. Exploration Garden - located behind […]
Join us for a guided walk through the meadow and demonstration areas at the Exploration Garden at Swansea Clinton Hills Conservation Park. The hike will be led by a member of our Land Conservation Team. Learn about the Garden's flowers, pollinators, and ecosystem! Donations welcome and appreciated, but not required. Exploration Garden - located behind […]
Join us for a guided walk through the meadow and demonstration areas at the Exploration Garden at Swansea Clinton Hills Conservation Park. The hike will be led by a member of our Land Conservation Team. Learn about the Garden's flowers, pollinators, and ecosystem! Donations welcome and appreciated, but not required. Exploration Garden - located behind […]
Join us for a guided walk through the meadow and demonstration areas at the Exploration Garden at Swansea Clinton Hills Conservation Park. The hike will be led by a member of our Land Conservation Team. Learn about the Garden's flowers, pollinators, and ecosystem! Donations welcome and appreciated, but not required. For questions, please contact Sean […]
Learn about the rare sand prairie habitat in the Edwardsville area. Conservation staff will discuss some of the unique plants and animals that live in sand prairies and explain the restoration efforts happening on the property. Wear sturdy walking shoes. The trails are not paved. This walk is made possible thanks to a grant from […]
Join President & CEO, Mary Vandevord, on a leisurely walk through the conservation area at Highland Silver Lake Park in Highland, IL. Learn about the importance of oaks to our region's ecosystems, the Silver Lake watershed, and efforts to ensure clean water for drinking and recreation. The trail is a relatively easy dirt path along […]
Help restore the rare sand prairie near Edwardsville and South Roxana! Volunteers will spread native sand prairie seeds specifically curated for this location. As time allows, other site restoration work will be available, such as exotic plant removal, trash pick up, and general site maintenance. Wear sturdy shoes. Poag Sand Prairie has a gravel driveway […]
Whether you want to increase your tree identification skills for recreational and educational purposes, or want a leg-up on the competition for HLC's 2023 Jingle Hike, this free class is the perfect opportunity to learn some of the key features and techniques used for tree identification in the winter! How to come prepared: This […]
If you registered for the Jingle Hike Challenge by November 1, this is the day to pick up your packet and t-shirts! Pick-up is from noon to 3 p.m. at Toolen's Running Start, 3260 Green Mount Crossing Dr, O'Fallon, IL 62269. If you did not select shipping during registration and cannot pick up your packet […]