The Mąą Pįį (“Good Earth” in the Ho-Chunk language) Preserve is a place that welcomes all people to gather, learn, and participate; where scientific applied conservation methods and Indigenous cultural knowledge come together through land, food, and community. Unlike our other nature preserves, Mąą Pįį is only open to the public for specific programs, all of which will be listed on our events page. Photos of the preserve to come soon.

The Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation received the donation of this 316-acre preserve from Nancy Winter through the Hamill Family Foundation, who purchased the property to protect the significant Indigenous history of the site in 2011. In addition to burials, the land here drew people for other cultural ceremonies as well as provided food and medicine found in abundance within the native prairies and forests that once flourished here. This land holds deep layers of human heritage and it remains a sacred site to the descendants of these first people of Illinois including Ho-Chunk, Sac and Fox, Meskwaki, and Potawatomi.

In 2024, JDCF celebrated the dedication of the preserve as a Center for Science and Culture – a hub for education and outreach curriculum in partnership with our tribal partners, local schools, and community members. The historic 1885 Hess House has been re-purposed to create a space that can host programs year round regardless of weather. People of all ages can tend to the three sisters garden where traditional indigenous foods, such as Teejop Wicawas (Ho-Chunk four lakes corn) are grown. The prairie and woodlands provide endless space for learning and reconnecting to the natural world. An informational, tri-fold brochure can be found here: MaaPii-Good Earth 2025 brochure.