Through a survey many of our members participated in in 2021, we learned that they would like to see our educational programming expand. The goal? To develop the next generation of conservation advocates who will protect and grow the outstanding land preservation and stewardship work that has been accomplished through JDCF.
We heard them and we agree. To that end we recently completed Phase 2 renovations to the 1885 farmhouse, known as the Hess House, creating a center for learning. The new center is located on our 316-acre Portage Preserve* just south of Galena, IL and it will host partners for educational, scientific (including land stewardship), and Native American cultural activities. This includes scientific research, community science projects, AmeriCorps teams, youth camps, and Indigenous cultural activities. We now have a beautiful indoor space on an important preserve to host gatherings and educational activities! Stay tuned for upcoming events!
* In 2011 JDCF received the donation of the 316-acre Portage Preserve from the Hamill Family Foundation, who purchased the property through an estate sale specifically to protect dozens of large Native American burial mounds found there. Those buried there, beginning 1,000 years ago and up through 1850, are ancestors of the Ho-Chunk, Sac and Fox, and Meskwaki. The land holds deep layers of human culture and remains a scared site to the descendants of these first people of Illinois.
