Illinois

Protecting Nature. Preserving Life.

The Nature Conservancy in Illinois works to protect the Prairie State for future generations. Explore our work and get an insider's view into our projects, preserves and conservation work!

Illinois River and floodplain 125x83Illinois River and its floodplain. As a part of the inland waterway transportation system, the Illinois River is a key component of the Conservancy's Upper Mississippi River program © Doug Blodgett
Illinois River Flooding

Our Director of River Conservation Doug Blodgett tells us why rivers flood and what we can and need to do to mitigate damages. Illinois River flooding

Clark’s spiny lizard This Clark's Spiny Lizard, affectionately named DoDad, made its way to Illinois from Arizona in a donor's suit case. After some coordination, it's now safely home. © molossus/Flickr
One Lucky Lizard’s Cross Country Trip

After a volunteer trip with the Conservancy to Muleshoe Ranch in Arizona, two Illinois supporters found quite a surprise when they returned home. Read about the adventure

Prairie EnthusiastsPreserve Manager Bill Kleiman leads a tour of Nachusa Grasslands © Chris Helzer/TNC
Record-Setting Volunteers

Even after the drought this past summer and fall, volunteers at Nachusa Grasslands collected a record amount of native seed--6,500 pounds! Learn more

Wetland construction at Franklin demonstration farm in the Mackinaw River watershed, Lexington, Illinois.Wetland construction at Franklin demonstration farm in the Mackinaw River watershed, Lexington, Illinois. © Timothy T. Lindembaum
Cleaning Lake Bloomington

The Nature Conservancy, City of Bloomington and the Environmental Defense Fund have signed a memorandum of agreement to clean up Bloomington's drinking water supply.

Nachusa Grasslands 215x143Nachusa Grasslands © Ami Vitale
Annual Report

In this year’s annual report, we share stories of how our projects here in Illinois influence the communities in which they’re located. Read report

wetlands at Franklin FarmAerial photos of wetlands on the west side of the Franklin Demonstration Farm. © Tim Lindenbaum/TNC
Natural Solutions

The Conservancy is partnering to find natural solutions to help clean our water. Learn more

Sunrise Emiquon PreserveSunrise over floodplain wetlands at Emiquon Preserve © Byron Jorjorian
Opening Opportunity

Emiquon has been restored to a place for spirituality, recreation, education and economic value. Learn more

Christien Meindertsma at NachusaChristien Meindertsma at Nachusa Grasslands Preserve, Illinois © Ami Vitale
Natural Design

Design for a Living World: 11 sustainable products made by 10 designers from across the world. Learn more

Nachusa PrairieDesigner Christien Meindertsma gathers prairie plants at the Nachusa Grasslands Preserve. © Ami Vitale
Volunteer Unity

Staff and volunteers have transformed Nachusa into more than 3,000 acres of native landscape. Learn more

Hank and Becky Hartman Hank and Becky Hartman work to restore their "Big Woods" unit at the Nachusa Grasslands preserve. © Bill Kleiman/TNC
Two Big Hearts Restore 'Big Woods'

Volunteers at Nachusa Grasslands since the late 90s, the Hartmans are helping restore Illinois' native habitat. Learn more

Cover Crop MachineMcLean County farmers check out Don Birky's altered RoGator during the cover crop seeding demonstration at the Conservancy's Franklin Demonstration Farm. © Julia Bourque/TNC
Innovative Conservation

Conservancy staff at the Franklin Demonstration Farm are monitoring the effects of cover crops on nutrient absorption. Learn more

Milkweed at NachusaMilkweed's blooms transition to feathery seed pods during the fall. © Ami Vitale
25 Years of Transformation

The Nature Conservancy's Nachusa Grasslands Preserve celebrates its 25th year. Learn how this preserve has transformed into the 3,000 acres it is today.

2011 LEAF interns Icon2011 Illinois LEAF interns with their mentor © Laura Gannarelli/TNC
LEAF Interns Journey to Illinois

Listen to interviews with our summer interns from New York and hear how they've adjusted from the city to the prairie.

IL EX Annual Report Iconwater lilies, Merwin Preserve at Spunky Bottoms on the Illinois River, Illinois. PHOTO CREDIT © Andrew Simpson/TNC
Illinois 2010 Annual Report

See everything that we accomplished in 2010!

IL EX Looking Forward IconNachusa Grasslands, The Nature Conservancy preserve and prairie restoration site near Franklin Grove in north-central Illinois, is one of the Conservancy's greatest on-going success stories and one of Illinois' largest and last surviving prairie landscapes. PHOTO CREDIT © Andrew Simpson/TNC
Looking Back to Move Forward

Thanks to decades of stewardship, Nachusa now resembles the rich grassland of earlier ages.

IL EX Jason's Journal IconJason Beverlin, Illinois River Program Director for The Nature Conservancy, surveys the growth of trees in the restoration and reforestation project at Emiquon. PHOTO CREDIT © Byron Jorjorian
Jason’s Journal

Jason Beverlin, Illinois River Program Director, brings you the latest on the Emiquon restoration.

IL EX This Land IconSandhill Crane Colt. Photo credit: © Juancarlos Giese/TNC
Top Five Must-See Migrations in Illinois

See what’s moving, flying, swimming, and crawling through the Prairie State!

jasonLINDSEY.com (Asian carp, the bighead and silver, jumping out of the Illinois River)Asian carp, the bighead and silver, jumping out of the Illinois River © jasonLINDSEY.com
An Underwater Investigation

Conservancy scientists are on the front lines from the Illinois River to the Great Lakes in the battle against invasive species like Asian carp.

Mike Ward and Jeff Walk conducting a survey near Urbana, IllinoisMike Ward and Jeff Walk conducting a survey near Urbana, Illinois © Jill Deppe
On the Wings of a New Generation

Researchers trekked across Illinois' grasslands, farmlands, cities and suburbs for three years to discover how birds are adapting to a changing world. Read more

Three barges in Pool 8 of the Mississippi River at LaCrosse, WisconsinThree barges in Pool 8 of the Mississippi River at LaCrosse, Wisconsin © Robert J. Hurt
Illinois' Fresh Ideas for Fresh Water

Michael Reuter, senior director of Central U.S. conservation strategies, talks about Illinois' pivotal role in the health of these freshwater resources and how the work connects to river conservation world-wide. Read more

Tharran Hobson, Illinois River Restoration Manager for The Nature ConservancyTharran Hobson, Illinois River Restoration Manager for The Nature Conservancy © The Nature Conservancy
Putting Some Mussel in It

Freshwater mussels are imperiled worldwide, and many species are nearly extinct. But a new project, the first of its kind attempted on the Illinois River, could provide a solution to this large-scale problem. Read more

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Photo Special Features TabLion in Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa. © Kenneth K. Coe

Close Encounters with Nature

Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories

Arden OConnor 215x143Arden O’Connor. © Lajla LeBlanc

Nature Matters

Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos

Explore Related Content

Great Rivers Partnership

This partnership is an effort to conserve and restore the world's great river systems. Learn more.

Looking Back to Move Forward

Prairie now stretches as far as the eye can see at Nachusa. Learn more