PRESERVING NATURAL AREAS
for PEOPLE, for WILDLIFE,
FOREVER
in
EAST CENTRAL
ILLINOIS
Celebrate Mudpuppy Day
January 30
Our popular Mudpuppy Festival is on hold this year, but we're still honoring the Sangamon River's coolest creature! The city of Monticello has proclaimed Saturday, January 30, as Mudpuppy Day. To celebrate, our new Kids page offers fun family activities, including Scavenger Hunt Bingo for our Bruce Hannon Levee Trail, and a beautiful coloring book, Mandy's Prairie Home.
Dollar-for-Dollar Match Doubles Your Donation
It's the perfect time to support LCF! We’ve had to cancel our popular winter fundraiser, the Mudpuppy Festival — but our Board is stepping up to help you support LCF without leaving home! Right now, our Directors will match every donation, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $15,000! Your $250 donation would become $500!
Weir Construction
Improves Levee Trail
A new 60-foot-long weir on the Bruce Hannon Levee Trail will help water levels on either side equalize more quickly, reducing erosion damage and the need for repairs. Allowing flood waters to cross the levee is key to our 59-acre floodplain forest restoration project at the Sangamon River Corridor Reserve.
Thank You to Our
Mouth of Jordan Donors
On behalf of the LCF Board of Directors, I want to thank the many generous donors who helped LCF complete the acquisition of this special natural area. LCF also wants to thank the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation for awarding LCF a land acquisition grant. It is only with this support that LCF can protect lands such as this in perpetuity! Thank you! — J. Steven Beckett, President
Boost Your "Outdoorphins"
Similar to the boost we get from endorphins, research confirms the uplifting effect — the "outdoorphins" — we get from hiking and walking in natural places. So get outside! Dress for the weather and enjoy nature in every season. Come to LCF's Levee Trail and immerse yourself in a floodplain forest. Our trail at Mettler Woods near Clinton is also open.
LCF Wildlife Videos on YouTube
The levee trail wildlife videos you may have enjoyed on our Facebook page are highlighted in a YouTube video! This trailcam compilation includes 13 amazing animals — baby raccoons (with a watchful heron), beaver, wild turkey, river otter, and more!
Nature Photo Blitz:
Use #LCFnature
LCF encourages you to visit your favorite natural area and photograph whatever inspires you! This is not a contest. Have fun and use whatever camera you have. Post photos on your social media of choice with hashtag #LCFnature. This way, we can search and share photos!
Join LCF Today
Please join or renew your membership today to ensure that LCF can continue our vital mission, maintaining the Bruce Hannon Levee Trail and preserving treasured natural areas for future generations — including our newest acquisition, Jordan Creek in Vermilion County. Join online or download a membership form and mail it to LCF.
Due to the shelter-in-place policy to protect us all from the coronavirus, LCF has cancelled its group events for the coming months. BUT watch our Facebook page and e-newsletters for announcements about online activities!
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, jumping mice, and a turkey parade! They've all been caught in the act at our Sangamon River Corridor Reserve.