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 Survey Walks at Hanley Savanna
Survey walks through parts of Hanley Savanna take place every 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.
Hanley Savanna Survey Walkers by Carol Mantey
June 10, 2023
Blue Grosbeak at Hanley Savanna by Pam Johnson
May 27, 2024
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, and Barb Siekowski, and Vicky Wegner.
WHAT’S NEW
Upcoming
Events
Check back here often for the latest chapter events or sign up for our chapter’s email list.
FINDING YOUR PLACE IN THE PRAIRIE: 2025 ANNUAL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
SUMMER GATHERING HOSTED BY COULEE REGION CHAPTER
