2025 McDonough County Conservation Tours so Far!

PLC's second annual Conservation Tours have kept staff and partners busy this summer season! So far we have had a backyard garden tour, a Wellness Walk at our very own Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary, and a tour of a private 50 acre woodland. Learn more about the past tours below!

Woods & Prairie Tour - June 7

Twenty-three years ago, Andrea Williams and her family purchased fifty acres of overgrazed woods, some highly erodible farm ground, and an old pasture made impenetrable by the coverage of thorny shrubs. Over the last several decades, they made improvements to the timber stand, removed invasive species, worked to lesson erosion, built trails and bridges both to increase access to the space for stewardship and for recreation, and have now begun working on a small prairie restoration.

At the tour, Andrea Williams gave a brief land and management history, including showing off her favorite handheld chainsaw! Her longtime friend Barrie McVey, who is a retired IDNR District Forester, also talked throughout the tour (second photo). Folks enjoyed walking over the bridge, that you can drive a tractor over!, and asking Andrea for advice on how to get started with conservation on their own properties.

"Good luck on your journey - be it 50 acres, 500 acres, or your own backyard," said Andrea. 

Wellness Walk - May 31st

PLC and McDonough County Health Department partnered together for this unique Conservation Tour with an emphasis on how environmental health and outdoor recreation plays a part of human health: social, emotional, and physical. 

"Studies have shown that people who regularly spend time in nature have improved attention and working memory, lower stress levels, better mood, improved empathy and cooperation, and boosted immune systems," explained our Program Coordinator Jaime Webb. 

McDonough County Health Department staff and interns stressed the importance of being prepared to be outdoors. From wearing sunscreen, drinking plenty of water, to checking yourself for ticks once you return home. 

Home Garden Tour - May 16th

Our very first tour of the season was kicked off by recently retired WIU biology professor Shawn Meagher! Over the last 10 years, he has gradually replaced around 1/3 of his lawn with native plants. 

Shawn shared resources with folks interested in making their own "Homegrown National Park" and helped them learn to identify a few key species he is most proud of growing on his lawn. "Everyone has different management goals and that's okay. Mine is to have absolutely no non-native species in my yard," Shawn explained. 

Shawn also had worked hard to harvest seedlings from his yard that folks were able to take home with them at the end of the event to start their own native gardens! Some of which also ended up being planted at PLC properties!