Land Conservation
& Stewardship
In Northwest Illinois
our preserves
Volunteer NOW
STEWARDSHIP
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Enjoy working outside? How about giving a hand-up to nature? JDCF is looking for volunteers to help with a variety of land stewardship projects. This is your chance to participate on a prescribed burn, join workday teams to battle invasive species at one of our preserves, or plant trees as part of ongoing restoration plans. Great opportunities for individuals, Scout troops, church and school groups looking to give back to their community.
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OUTREACH & EDUCATION
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Have you ever thought about becoming a citizen-scientist? How about giving tours of beautiful places to area residents and visiting tourists? Maybe you enjoy planning outdoor events like mothing parties, luminaria hikes, or experiences in nature for youth? JDCF offers many volunteer opportunities to people of all ages through our Education and Outreach Program.
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LAND PROTECTION
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Looking for a way to get your steps in while exploring spectacular pieces of property? JDCF is looking for volunteers to monitor our preserves and lands under conservation easement by walking them and taking photos for documentation. Many of these properties are privately owned making this a unique opportunity to see new parts of Jo Daviess County.
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 6 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Invitation to Attend NW Illinois Audubon Birding Trip
Join us as we look for migrating waterfowl on the Mississippi River south of Savanna. Usually a wide variety of both diving and dabbling ducks can be observed, with males in their colorful breeding plumage. We also should see grebes, pelicans, eagles, geese and some songbirds. Hopefully we’ll spot some cranes and swans, as well.
Participants will be coming from Forreston, IL and others can meet at Spring Lake parking lot, just off HWY 84 about 2 miles south of Savanna. The birding will begin at Spring Lake and there will be other stops along the Mississippi River, ending at the Lock and Dam #13. Bring a sack lunch and drink if you plan to stay past noon.
Or go birding on your own! This map and list show the general location of popular places to view migrating waterfowl. If going on your own, remember that the ducks move around, so you may want to plan to go to more than one location. And don’t forget your binoculars!
April 11 @ 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
JDCF Annual Meeting on April 11
JDCF invites the public to its annual meeting on April 11, 2024. In addition to the election and re-election of Board members, our keynote speaker will be conservation biologist, environmental historian, and author, Curt Meine. Heavy appetizers and cash bar. Cost is $40.00/person. You may RSVP to jean@jdcf.org.
Curt serves as Senior Fellow with the Aldo Leopold Foundation & Center for Humans and Nature; as Research Associate with the International Crane Foundation; and as Adjunct Associate Professor in Madison at the University of Wisconsin.
Over the last three decades he has worked with a wide array of organizations at the intersection of conservation, agriculture, water, climate change, and community resilience.
He has authored and edited several books, including the award-winning biography
“Aldo Leopold: His Life and Work” (1988/2010) and “The Driftless Reader” (2017), a 2024 JDCF book club selection.
He served as on-screen guide in the Emmy Award-winning documentary film “Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time” (2011). He is a founding member of the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance.
Copies of “The Driftless Reader” will be available for purchase and signing at the annual meeting.
April 20 @ 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Birding Basics for Youth Workshop
Join members of 4H and JDCF for birding 101, a program for kids ages 8-18. From an overview on how to properly use binoculars to learning what field marks and behaviors to look for, participants will leave the event feeling more confident in their birding skills and excited to get back out in the field to discover what birds can be found around them. Participants should bring their own binoculars if they have them, however there will be binoculars available for all. Participants 14 years and up are encouraged to join JDCF on our Spring Bird Count May 4th. More details on this will be provided at the event. Registration requested at 815-858-2273. Registration deadline is April 13. Limited space available.
April 25 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Spring Wildflower Walk
White trillium, bluebells, and the rare and endangered red trillium blanket Mississippi Palisades State Park in late April. Experience the magic of these stunning plants along with many other wildflowers at their peak on a guided hike in the woods and along the Park’s riverside bluffs. The walk will be led by JDCF’s Director of Land Stewardship, Jim Johannsen, along with Ken Beach, president of Northwest Illinois Forestry Association. Expert birders will also be on the trail. This is a moderately difficult walk and includes steps. We will meet at the south entrance to the park, which is located 3 miles north of Savanna, IL, along Hwy 84 South. Free and RSVPs not needed. Trillium photo (c) Carol Mantey.
This event is subject to weather-related postponement or cancellation. Please check here or the JDCF Facebook page for updates.
April 26 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
JDCF Annual Frog Walk
One of the first signs of spring is the sound of frogs waking up and calling. Bring the kids down to learn about what the frogs they are hearing. After a short walk down the Galena River Trail towards the Buehler Reserve, families will have a chance to try to find and catch the frogs themselves! Will it be a Spring Peeper or a Leopard Frog? JDCF staff will help you identify what you find, and have some tadpoles on hand to view the frog life cycle in progress. This is a free event open to the public. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Rain date: May 3rd – Check JDCF website for updates. Photo (c) Rich Mattas.
May 10 @ 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Popcorn & Program Speaker Event: 100 Years of the Upper Miss National Wildlife & Fish Refuge
“1924 to 2024: 261 River Miles and 244,000 acres of wetland habitat, protected for 100 years.”
Ed Britton, Wildlife Refuge Manager, will present the amazing and ongoing conservation story of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, the longest, most visited (by people and wildlife) Refuge in the lower 48, and next-door neighbor to three JDCF preserves. Complimentary Potosi beer and popcorn while supplies last. Wildfowl displays, 6-7 PM. Program at 7PM. Free and RSVPs not needed. Photo (c) Barbara Baird.
May 11 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
River Watch Training
Location: Warren, IL High School Cafeteria moving to Rutherford Refuge at Twin Bridges Nature Preserve for field demonstration.
Become certified as a River Watch community scientist and learn how to monitor water quality in your local streams! Volunteers will learn to survey habitat an aquatic life, focusing on species like dragonfly nymphs, beetle larva, midges, and snails. This workshop is primarily for adults but kids may attend with a registered adult (2 kids per 1 adult). Registration required at: https://bit.ly/RWWarren24
May 28 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
National Association for Interpretation Certified Interpretive Guide Training
The nationally recognized Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) program is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about how to develop and lead interpretive programs. This course will introduce you to the history, definitions, and principles of interpretation. During the course, you will develop a program outline and deliver a 10-minute thematic presentation, all with the support of your instructor(s) and fellow participants. You will learn how to make your programs purposeful, enjoyable, relevant, organized, and thematic, and leave ready to facilitate meaningful experiences that inspire engagement with the world around us. To register click HERE.
For more information about the course, please contact JDCF Education & Outreach Director Hillary Holt at hholt@jdcf.org or call (815) 858-9100 ext 105.
The Search For Affordable Land
Stewardship Services Is Over!
Latest News
Open Position – Director of Ecological Services
March 15th, 2024
JDCF is seeking a full-time Director of Ecological Services based out of our state-of-the-art stewardship shop in Elizabeth, IL. This position is responsible for ensuring the success of JDCF’s ecological […]
Carrying the Torch ~ A Prescribed Fire Seminar
March 12th, 2024
JDCF Earns National Recognition for Excellence
November 28th, 2023
After a lengthy and rigorous application process, we received the good news that JDCF has been reaccredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. The Commission is an independent program of […]
“Big Sky Nature Preserve” – JDCF Announces Largest Land Donation to Date
August 9th, 2023
This is the story of one of the most incredible gifts ever given: to JDCF, to the natural world, and to the people of Jo Daviess County. A gift over […]
JDCF Opens New Stewardship Shop
August 9th, 2023
Over the last decade, JDCF has worked hard to greatly expanded our stewardship capacity. From 1 dedicated staff member using a DR push mower and a well-used, donated truck to […]
Unique Conservation Model Preserves Bedford Hollow
April 11th, 2023
JDCF Protects Iconic Stockton, IL Area Landmark
April 11th, 2023
NORTHWEST ILLINOIS STEWARDSHIP COOPERATIVE – NISC
December 14th, 2022
The Northwest Illinois Stewardship Cooperative (NISC) is a collaborative partnership of organizations and individuals with land stewardship and conservation interests in northwest Illinois. NISC evolved out of an earlier collaborative effort in the region launched by Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) in 2012 called the Northwest Illinois Invasive Species Strike Team (ISST). Although the ISST project was extremely successful in achieving its goal of controlling invasive species primarily on lands owned by JDCF and IDNR, two things quickly became apparent: (1) In addition to invasive species control services, many other types of land stewardship services were sorely needed, and (2) Many other conservation organizations in the region also had need of such services. Launched in 2016, NISC began as an informal partnership to work together on common stewardship issues, train on best management practices, share resources/opportunities, and cooperatively address natural resource concerns. In 2018, NISC completed a strategic planning process, which resulted in the “Northwest Illinois Land Stewardship Cooperative Strategic Plan (2018),” which established the following Vision and Purpose: Vision Statement: “The Northwest Illinois Land Stewardship Co-op (NISC or Co-op) believes that collaboration works: ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.’ The co-op works with private and public landowners across political and geographic boundaries to educate, train, and apply the best land management across northwest Illinois’ extraordinary landscape. We do this to promote and improve land and water health in the region.” - NISC Strategic Plan (2018) Purpose Statement: “The purpose of the Northwest Illinois Land Stewardship Cooperative is to improve regional land health by successfully addressing land stewardship challenges including the effects of invasive species, lack of adequate prescribed ecological fire, and other natural area management concerns across jurisdictional boundaries and service regions.” - NISC Strategic Plan (2018) NISC worked to implement this vision and purpose with funding assistance from a grant award from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF’s) Pulling Together Initiative (PTI) awarded to Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, who served as the fiscal agent and project manager. This PTI grant, together with other grant funds and fee-for-service funds provided by NISC Member organizations, allowed JDCF to hire two full-time staff to deliver land stewardship services to NISC Members from 2018-2020. Following the end of the PTI grant the need for affordable land stewardship services did not go away. In fact a 2020 survey of potential clients found a huge demand for these services. To address this need, NISC transitioned to a fee-for-service program that offers these services to NISC Members, Non-Profit groups, Government Organizations, and Private Landowners. Services Prescribed Fire Invasive plant control Native Species Introduction Native Seed Mix Sowing Native Plant Plug Installation Native Tree Plantings Forest Stand Improvement Forestry Mulching Land Management Consultation Services GIS Mapping Botanical Surveys/Natural Community Inventories Invasive Species Assessment Management Plans 5 year Management Plans 5 year Management Plans with contract pricing Habitat Restoration Plans Illinois Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Rutherford Refuge at Twin Bridges Becomes JDCF’s First Nature Preserve
February 17th, 2022
After reading this headline, you may be asking yourself, “What do you mean ‘first’ Nature Preserve?” What about Schurmeier Teaching Forest? What about Wapello? What about Casper Bluff, Horseshoe Mound, Valley of Eden, and all the other natural areas that JDCF has protected over the last 29 years? Yes, JDCF has preserved these natural areas in perpetuity for future generations to enjoy. But the title of “Nature Preserve” carries a very special meaning within the State of Illinois, and it’s not a title that is easily attained. “Nature Preserve” is an official legal status bestowed on certain special natural areas by a little-known state government agency called the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC). While INPC does not own any land itself, INPC uses Nature Preserve dedications in order to permanently protect land that is owned by nonprofit organizations like JDCF, governmental entities, and private landowners. A Nature Preserve dedication is the highest form of legal protection that a natural area can achieve in the State of Illinois without an act of Congress. “Nature Preserve” is also an official status that is reserved for only the rarest and highest-quality natural areas in Illinois. The Rutherford Refuge at Twin Bridges is one such natural area. It contains the “best of kind” wet-mesic prairie and sedge meadow habitats located within Illinois’s portion of Driftless Area. The refuge also contains dry-mesic prairie, oak barrens, oak savanna, upland forest, and coolwater stream habitats that paint a unique mosaic of habitat types on the landscape, which are home to several rare plant and insect species. Acquired by JDCF in December 2020, the Rutherford Refuge at Twin Bridges was founded with generous financial support from the Rutherford Family and the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. It’s named in memory of John and Barbara Rutherford who owned and stewarded the property from 1988 to 2018. “Our mom had a vision,” said Bryn Davis, one of John and Barbara Rutherford’s four children that helped create the refuge. “I know she and dad would be thrilled beyond words at the fact that Twin Bridges has been dedicated as a Nature Preserve! They knew that it was a special place and they wanted it to be protected and available for others to enjoy. This dedication just reinforces what our parents and JDCF saw in this little gem of a place.” The Rutherford Refuge at Twin Bridges Nature Preserve joins the ranks of more than 400 dedicated Nature Preserves across Illinois totaling more than 60,000 acres. It is only the fourth Nature Preserve to be dedicated in Jo Daviess County and the only Nature Preserve in the county that is not owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. In addition to over 400 Nature Preserves, INPC has registered 196 “Land and Water Reserves” totaling more than 54,000 acres across Illinois. Similar to Nature Preserve dedications, INPC uses Land and Water Reserve registrations to permanently protect Illinois’s most important natural and archaeological areas. However, unlike Nature Preserves, Land and Water Reserves allow for a wider variety of recreational uses to occur onsite and are used to protect sites that may be of slightly lower quality and may not qualify for Nature Preserve status. JDCF’s Land and Water Reserves include Wapello, Casper Bluff, and Keough Effigy Mounds. The Rutherford Refuge at Twin Bridges Nature Preserve is located at 9532 East Twin Bridges Road, Warren, Illinois. It’s open to the public for passive outdoor recreation daily from dawn to dusk.
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