Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois

The Guardians restore and manage prairies.

Early in their history the Guardians adopted a small prairie remnant at Apple Canyon State Park, expanding its boundaries and maintaining its species diversity. The Guardians, working with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, created Blackjack Prairie within the Witkowsky Wildlife Area.

As the Guardians grew as an organization, the scope of volunteer initiatives broadened. Guardian volunteers have supported successful prairie projects at Lost Mound National Wildlife Refuge and, in cooperation with the Prairie Enthusiasts of Northwest Illinois, have supported extensive prairie plantings at Hanley Savanna.

Prescribed Burn Cooperative

Each spring the Guardians offer a burn school, which trains volunteers to participate in teams that conduct prescribed burns on privately owned prairie restorations. For more details see the events calendar.

Prairie Plant Display Garden

Hanley Savanna, Hanover, Illinois

This display garden, built by Conservation Guardians and Prairie Enthusiasts volunteers, allows people to identify individual praire species that can be found in the adjoining acres of Hanley Savanna.

Prairie smoke

Prairie cinquefoil

Rudbeckia hirta

Wild bergamot

View from the shelter