The Mąą Pįį (“Good Earth” in the Ho-Chunk language) Preserve is a place that welcomes all people to gather, learn, and participate; where conservation science and Indigenous cultural knowledge come together through land, food, and community. Unlike our other nature...

Rutherford Refuge at Twin Bridges Nature Preserve 9532 E Twin Bridges Rd, Warren, IL. For the public’s safety, the preserve will be closed Dec. 4-7 during deer firearm season. The story of the Rutherford Refuge begins with a vision shared by husband and wife,...

Schurmeier Forest 147 E Reusch Rd, Elizabeth, IL. For the public’s safety, Schurmeier Forest will be closed Dec. 4-7 for deer firearm season. Jerry and Jon Schurmeier donated the original 52 acres of Schurmeier Teaching Forest to JDCF in 1994, in memory of their...

Wapello Land & Water Reserve 8642 IL RT 84 South, Hanover, IL. For the public’s safety, Wapello will be closed Dec. 4-7 during deer firearm season. The 170-acre Wapello Land and Water Reserve is an important, historical place that tells the story of the...

Galena Gateway Park – A JDCF Partner Reserve 9300 Powder House Hill Rd, Galena, IL.  Located just east of downtown Galena, Gateway Park offers visitors 180-acres of hilly trails through restored prairies and oak savannas with scenic views of the city. A...