PRESERVING NATURAL AREAS
for PEOPLE, for WILDLIFE,
FOREVER
in
EAST CENTRAL
ILLINOIS
Charlotte & Dan Brady Woods Nature Preserve
In January, the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission approved dedication of our Brady Woods property in western Champaign County as a Nature Preserve, giving it the greatest protection land can be granted in Illinois. LCF thanks Charlotte and Dan Brady for donating this beautiful 20-acre floodplain forest.
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
Kids Page Celebrates Mudpuppies and More
Our popular Mudpuppy Festival is on hold this year, but we still honor the Sangamon River's coolest creature! The city of Monticello 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.
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!
Boost Your "Outdoorphins"
Similar to the boost we get from endorphins, research confirms the uplifting effect — the "outdoorphins" — we get from visiting natural places. So get outside! Take your camera along and photograph whatever inspires you! Post photos on your social media of choice with hashtag #LCFnature. This way, we can search and share photos!
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.