Northwest Illinois
Photo Credit: Caleb DeWitt
Northwest Illinois
Photo Credit: Caleb DeWitt
About Our Chapter
Mission and Service Area
The Northwest Illinois chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts (NIPE) is committed to the protection, restoration, and management of prairies, savannas, and other fire-dependent ecosystems in the Driftless Area of Illinois. The area contains hill prairie, oak woodland, sand prairie, oak savanna, sedge meadow, oak barren, and tallgrass (black soil) prairie. NIPE primarily serves Jo Daviess, Carroll, Stephenson and Whiteside counties.
Summer 2024 Update
Summer Survey Walks at Hanley Savanna
Monday morning walks through parts of Hanley Savanna continue this summer. A few NIPE members meet regularly to inventory plant species, birds, wildlife and insect species. One walk in late May revealed a blue grosbeak!
The search continues for the endangered rusty-patched bumblebee. This bumblebee is the first bee species to be federally listed as endangered. We have not yet seen it yet at Hanley Savanna, but it has been documented at other locations in Jo Daviess County, Illinois.
All are invited to join two exploratory walks at Hanley Savanna on Monday, July 29th at 8:00 a.m. and Monday, August 26th at 8:00 a.m. Please dress for the weather and bring insect repellent, sunscreen, and water. We will meet at the shelter near the corner of S. Whitton Road and S. Hanover Hill Road in rural Hanover, Illinois. Since the walks are weather dependent, please check our Facebook page for last-minute updates or changes.
Hanley Savanna Survey Walkers by Carol Mantey
June 10, 2023
Blue Grosbeak at Hanley Savanna by Pam Johnson
May 27, 2024
Two Events Rescheduled
Ayers Sand Prairie tour
Due to severe thunderstorms, NIPE postponed the May 24 tour of Illinois DNR’s Ayers Sand Prairie in Carroll County, Illinois. It has been rescheduled for Monday, September 9. Randy Nyboer will lead the tour.
This preserve, over 100 acres and owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), is located about three miles south of Savanna, Illinois. Interested members can drive themselves or carpool from the parking lot of Wapello Land & Water Reserve on Route 84 just south of Hanover, Illinois. Carpoolers will depart from Wapello no later than 8:15 a.m. If you plan to attend and especially if you want to carpool, EMAIL Laura Dufford
For more information about Ayers Sand Prairie, see the IDNR webpage.
Hanley Savanna Flower Dissection Family Event
Originally planned for August 24, the family-oriented seed picking and flower dissection event has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 7, 10 a.m.–12 noon at Hanley Savanna, weather permitting.
NIPE will supply all items necessary for family members to collect seeds to take home for their own properties and to dissect and create art projects from prairie flowers in the Hanley Savanna shelter. NIPE will also supply snacks. Participants should dress for the weather, bring water, and bug spray. In case of inclement weather or dangerously hot temperatures, participants should also check NIPE’s Facebook page earlier that morning to make sure the event will take place.
Prairie Seed Picking
NIPE continues to offer prairie seeds to help with prairie restorations on properties owned by the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation. This year we will complete the restoration seeding at the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation’s Rutherford Refuge. There will be a few days when we need volunteers to help with seed picking. If you are interested in helping, EMAIL Laura Dufford to be added to the email list.
Current Steering Committee Members
With Jake Pulfer now working in Wisconsin, he has relinquished his position on NIPE’s Steering Committee members. Thank you, Jake, for helping guide NIPE over the past few years! The remaining Steering Committee members are Laura Dufford, Leanne Martin, Jay Rutherford, Barb Siekowski, and Vicky Wegner.
WHAT’S NEW
Upcoming
Events
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NORTHERN ILLINOIS FIELD TRIP
NORTHERN ILLINOIS FIELD TRIP
NORTHWEST ILLINOIS: SEED PICKING & FLOWER DISSECTION
NORTHERN ILLINOIS FIELD TRIP
