Are you looking to spend more time outdoors—whether for a quiet walk, a chance to see wildlife, or simply some space to relax? The places featured below offer a range of experiences, from restored wetlands, prairies, wooded trails, and open meadows.
While many of these places are owned by Heartlands Conservancy, we’re also featuring conservation projects 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.
Each location has its own character. We invite you to explore, discover what speaks to you, and enjoy what these protected places have to offer. If you’re interested in our places not yet open to the public, visit our Wildlife Reserves page.
Explore Exploration Garden Swansea, IL | 6 acres Type: Public Garden Owned by: HeartLands Conservancy lease with Village of Swansea. Our role: With a goal of increasing community access to natural lands, HeartLands Conservancy leased the 6-acre portion of Clinton...
Explore Signal Hill Outdoor Classroom Belleville, IL | 5 acres Type: Public Garden and Park Owned by: City of Belleville, Managed by HeartLands Conservancy Our role: With a goal of increasing community access to natural lands, HeartLands Conservancy partnered with...
Explore Belleville Heart Garden Belleville, IL | 0.4 Acres Type: Community Garden Owned by: City of Belleville, Managed by Volunteer Stewards Our role: We are friends of the garden. We occasionally help with special projects, help promote it and their volunteer...
Explore East St. Louis Heritage Trail East St. Louis, IL | 0.4 Miles Type: Paved trail Owned by: N/A Hours: Open Sunrise to SunsetLocated between the MetroLink Station at 5th & Missouri Ave and the East St Louis Higher Education Campus at James R Thompson Blvd....
Explore Engelmann Farm Shiloh, IL | 143 Acres Type: Public Park and Historic Site Owned by: St. Clair County Our role: Given the importance and historic significance of the Shiloh area, HeartLands Conservancy acquired the historic farm property in 2007 to prevent it...
Explore Kaskaskia River Trail — Fayetteville Fayetteville, IL Type: Trail Owned by: Village of Fayetteville Our role: HeartLands Conservancy created a plan for a trails system along the Kaskaskia River, which helped the Village obtain grant funding to construct...
Explore Mounds Heritage Trail Madison and St. Clair Counties, IL | 10 Miles Type: Regional On-Street Cultural Trail Our role: Working with numerous regional partners through the Confluence Project, HeartLands Conservancy helped to form and denote the routes for this...
Explore yorktown golf course Shiloh, IL | 37 Acres Type: Public Golf Course Owned by: Village of Shiloh Our role: Given the limited amount of public open space in southern Illinois communities, HeartLands Conservancy assisted the Village of Shiloh with grant...
