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Birding Tour of the Illinois River
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Peoria Audubon Meetings
Wildlife Corridors for Peoria
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 7:00 p.m.
Dave Pittman, President of Friends of Rocky Glen, and Tracy Fox, Peoria Audubon member and volunteer for a number of nature-related and environmental causes, will be with us to extol the virtues and importance of having wildlife corridors in Central Illinois. Additionally, they will discuss a larger vision and plans with the potential to link everything from Wildlife Prairie Park, to the Greater Peoria Sanitary District, to the geologic heritage area of Rocky Glen with wildlife corridors.
Wildlife Corridors can be defined as an area of habitat that connects wildlife populations separated by human activities, structures, and habitat fragmentation, wildlife corridors may help facilitate the re-establishment of wildlife populations that have been reduced or eliminated.
Rocky Glen Park in Peoria With an eye to the future, Rocky Glen is only the beginning of the work along the Kickapoo Creek wildlife corridor. Dave and Tracy will discuss their vision that could connect these local jewels of nature.
According to Tracy, In addition to the wildlife corridor plans, "we hope to collectively discuss other opportunities – perhaps by leveraging the work to preserve pollinators at Horseshoe Bottoms to create a similar strategy for Donovan Nature Park and the larger Rock Island Trail, by focusing attention on ways the activity being contemplated in Peoria Heights could link to river bluffs preservation, or even reigniting energy around the ongoing issues of the Illinois River."
Rocky Glen in Winter (Larger) Come on out to the meeting and learn more from Tracy Fox and Dave Pittman on implementation and construction of wildlife corridors, along with their grand vision to benefit our local area.
Peoria Audubon Society hosts public meetings the second Wednesday of each month, from September to the following May, at Forest Park Nature Center. The meetings always feature timely topics and everyone is welcome. And, the meetings are FREE!
Keep watching our Calendar of Events for the latest updated information on meetings, field trips and special events. ---------------------- Public is Always Welcome Meetings are free and open to the public
Monthly meetings of Peoria Audubon Society are held at |
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Peoria Audubon Society Local Natural Areas Open to Public for Birding The Peoria Audubon Society is inviting members and visitors on to its conservation properties. The Oak Bluff Savanna Nature Preserve and the Brimfield Railroad Prairie Nature Preserve are now birding hotspots open for public birding.
The Oak Bluff Savanna Nature Preserve is a 22-acre high quality oak woodlands, savanna and hill prairie in Marshall County. It is located about 4 miles southwest of Henry, Illinois; 2 miles west of Route 29 on County Road 1150N. Dozens of warbler species may be found in the preserve during spring and fall migration. Resident birds such as Eastern Bluebird, Indigo Bunting and Baltimore Orioles can be found nesting on the site. Bird Surveys have shown over 150 species of birds utilize this natural area.
Oak Bluff Savanna Nature Preserve
The Brimfield Railroad Prairie Nature Preserve is a 6-acre restored native prairie in Peoria County. It is a ˝ mile long strip near Brimfield that was once railroad right of way, located at 18320 W Forney Road, Brimfield. The Jubilee Prairie Dawgs, a volunteer group dedicated to native prairie restoration, have partnered with Peoria Audubon Society to help maintain this prairie. It contains over 100 native prairie plant species, which are a critical part of the food web for many species of birds, butterflies and bees.
Black Swallowtail on Thistle at Brimfield RR Prairie Nature Preserve
Both of these high quality habitats are listed as protected lands by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission to assist with the protection of high quality natural areas and habitats of endangered and threatened species. Peoria Audubon Society is committed to long term conservation of these areas and is excited to share them with the public.
Peoria Audubon Society encourages visitors to record their bird sightings on these properties at eBird.org. Both nature preserves are listed as public birding hotspots. The nature preserves are open for hiking, viewing and enjoying the natural areas. No camping, no fires, no hunting or fishing, no collecting, and no restroom facilities are available. Visitors are asked to follow “Leave no Trace” principles when visiting Peoria Audubon properties, or any natural area.
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Keep watching the Calendar of Events for details on Peoria Audubon and other local activities. The public are always welcome! We would like to see you there!