PRESERVING NATURAL AREAS
for PEOPLE, for WILDLIFE,
FOREVER
in
EAST CENTRAL
ILLINOIS
The Land Conservation Foundation is seeking a new full-time executive director. In mid-July, the position was revised from part-time to full-time. Interested applicants can read the job description (updated 7/14/25) and submit a short résumé via email. Read our profile document for an overview of LCF. Photo: Merrybells at Brady Woods by Melissa Records.
LCF's newest property is 145 acres of primarily floodplain forest stretching along a mile of the Sangamon River in Piatt County, a generous gift from Mare and Jim Payne of Cerro Gordo. The Paynes say, “We have spent thousands of hours working to eradicate signs of overgrazing and invasives... with the goal to restore it to pre-settlement conditions. By placing this very special site in the capable and dedicated hands of the Land Conservation Foundation, we know our stewardship and our vision will continue. We are thrilled.”
Photo: Jasmine Hollow in early summer by Teresa DeWitt
Deanna Glosser retired as the LCF Executive Director effective June 30, 2025. Deanna accomplished a great deal during her nine-year tenure, and will continue on as an advisor to LCF. While LCF searches for a new executive director, Fran Harty has agreed to serve on an interim basis. With more than 40 years of experience with The Nature Conservancy and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Fran has been a valuable advisor to LCF since helping to found it in 2003! His background and knowledge have been invaluable to LCF and will continue to be while the hiring process proceeds.
Photo: Fran talks about freshwater mussels at Sangamon River Corridor Reserve.
In a new video and a detailed document, Tetra Tech, Inc, on behalf of Prosperity Wind, relates the history of the levees that give the Bruce Hannon Levee Trail its name. The project resulted from an agreement between the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office and Prosperity Wind, related to its Piatt County wind project.
Learn what's so unusual about the mudpuppy salamander, and watch our video of researchers looking for mudpuppies in the Sangamon River at Allerton Park. Mudpuppies have also been found in LCF's nearby Sangamon River Corridor Reserve. LCF's Mudpuppy Festival celebrates all of the wonderful wildlife and natural lands that LCF is working to protect — especially the unique and fascinating mudpuppy salamander!
Photo by Alex Lourash.
LCF is delighted to announce that, in memory of devoted LCF volunteer Bob Feller, his wife, Theresa, has donated 20 acres to LCF. Feller Woods sits along the Sangamon River in Piatt County.
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Follow a unique raised trail to the Sangamon River and our floodplain forest restoration. Visit the Sangamon River Corridor Reserve near Monticello.
LCF works to ensure a future with abundant clean water by focusing on rivers, wetlands, and groundwater.
All creatures who share our Illinois home benefit from LCF's work to connect and improve natural lands and waters.
LCF offers opportunities to encounter nature nearby, inspiring wonder and a future commitment to preservation.
Coyotes, mink, busy beavers, a bobcat, and a bunch of turkeys! They've all been caught on camera at our Sangamon River Corridor Reserve.