On this page you will find an archive of all of our previous restoration articles and videos from the weekly blog produced by Program Coordinator Kate Van Sloten.
4/13/21
Forestry Students Visit Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary
Twelve Western Illinois University students enrolled in Introduction to Forestry toured WHBS this month to learn about invasive plant species and then practiced removing honeysuckle from the woodland. Watch this video to see what they thought of their volunteer experience.
3/19/21
Mentoring the Next Generation of Land Managers
Prairie Land Conservancy recently partnered with Western Illinois University's Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration department to provide a hands-on classroom experience burning the prairie at Horn Field Campus. See interviews with alumni, students, and staff!
3/5/2021
Planting Native Seed at Stony Hills Nature Preserve for Wildlife and Pollinators
See what our team has been up to this month by watching footage from our recent prairie seeding at Stony Hills Nature Preserve on this week's Nature Brief! Last fall we had approximately 11 acres of invasive woody shrubs and trees removed from the prairie at Stony Hills. We are now beginning the work of reseeding these areas with native prairie seed. If left unmanaged, woody invasives like bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, and honey locust would eventually take over and choke out the valuable tallgrass prairie needed by so many of our pollinators, birds, insects, and other wildlife.
In this week's brief, we also begin to explore the benefits of these native plants for wildlife not only in Illinois by around the world. When you support conservation work done by PLC, you are helping migratory birds and pollinators who travel through the state but call other parts of the world home. For instance, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird will travel from Canada through Illinois and down into Central America. Stony Hills Nature Preserve provides a valuable "rest stop" full of food and shelter along their migratory journey.
In this week's brief, we also begin to explore the benefits of these native plants for wildlife not only in Illinois by around the world. When you support conservation work done by PLC, you are helping migratory birds and pollinators who travel through the state but call other parts of the world home. For instance, the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird will travel from Canada through Illinois and down into Central America. Stony Hills Nature Preserve provides a valuable "rest stop" full of food and shelter along their migratory journey.
1/21/21
Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary Plans for 2021!
Thank you to all of you who generously supported Wigwam Hollow Bird Sanctuary in 2020! You gave of your finances and time to help us restore this property for the benefit of migratory birds and endangered bats. Watch this week's brief to learn about our restoration plans for 2021 that you helped come to fruition with your giving.
1/7/2021
Why Do We Conduct Prairie Burns?
If you were driving down Wigwam Hollow Road the last week of December, you might have noticed the Rezab Prairie Meadow was on fire and wondered, what is going on? Our staff, accompanied by board members and volunteers, conducted a controlled burn to help benefit the prairie. Since 2012, the McDonough County Historical Society and many of their collaborative partners have worked to restore this two-acre site that serves as a contemplative historical entrance to the Old Macomb Cemetery. Over the years volunteers have planted hundreds of native prairie plants and several trees to restore the entrance of the cemetery to its natural prairie state. However, in order for this prairie to continue to grow and flourish, it must have fire. The historical society called on us to lend a helping hand.
With wildfires ravaging much of the west in the last year, fire has been perceived by many as a destructive force to be feared. However, proper land management techniques like controlled burns can actually help reduce the threat of wildfires as well as bring many benefits to wildlife habitat. Fire gives life to a prairie by rejuvenating native grasses and forbs. After a prairie burn, the soil more readily absorbs sunlight creating perfect temperature conditions for seed germination. The burned plant material serves as rich fertilizer which promotes new plant growth. Fire also prevents invasive plants and cool season grasses from taking hold and choking out the prairie.
If you want to get a first hand experience with a controlled burn, sign up to become a volunteer with us! No experience or equipment is required as we will train you and provide equipment. Click the button below to sign up.
Take your learning to the next level with these additional resources!
Learn how California is fighting wildfires with controlled burns.
www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/09/18/california-may-need-more-fire-to-fix-its-wildfire-problem
More benefits of prescribed burns:
www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/controlled-burning/
With wildfires ravaging much of the west in the last year, fire has been perceived by many as a destructive force to be feared. However, proper land management techniques like controlled burns can actually help reduce the threat of wildfires as well as bring many benefits to wildlife habitat. Fire gives life to a prairie by rejuvenating native grasses and forbs. After a prairie burn, the soil more readily absorbs sunlight creating perfect temperature conditions for seed germination. The burned plant material serves as rich fertilizer which promotes new plant growth. Fire also prevents invasive plants and cool season grasses from taking hold and choking out the prairie.
If you want to get a first hand experience with a controlled burn, sign up to become a volunteer with us! No experience or equipment is required as we will train you and provide equipment. Click the button below to sign up.
Take your learning to the next level with these additional resources!
Learn how California is fighting wildfires with controlled burns.
www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/09/18/california-may-need-more-fire-to-fix-its-wildfire-problem
More benefits of prescribed burns:
www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/controlled-burning/
9/4/2020
Moving Earth at Stony Hills Nature Preserve
If you are planning a visit to Stony Hills Nature Preserve over the holiday weekend, you might notice a large bare spot in the prairie. Using part of our grant funding received from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation , we stabilized a large gully by having a WASCOB (water and sediment control basin) constructed by Jones Bulldozing. After the gully had been repaired, we couldn't leave this land bare. Our new Stewardship Coordinator, Eric Little, got to work with Kate Van Sloten, our Program Coordinator, sowing an oat cover crop by hand to help prevent erosion on the new berm. Watch the video to see live footage of the work!