Wildlife in southern Illinois need places to rest, eat, and build families. The places featured below provide habitat for birds, butterflies, and many other animals. These reserves are not currently open to the public. (Click here to explore places that are open to the public.) In some cases, we are actively restoring habitat. Many of these places we plan to create public access in the future in a manner that respects wildlife habitat and carefully incorporates public use.

The majority of these places are owned by Heartlands Conservancy; and we’re also featuring reserves owned and managed by partner organizations. Some of these lands were donated, others were purchased, and all help strengthen our connection to nature at a time when that connection is more important than ever.

We invite you to learn more about these critical protected places, and look forward to creating more with people like you.