I visited an incredible Hill Prairie in southern Illinois today, and I was mystified by its incredible beauty. They are hosting a conservation event this Saturday from 10am - 1pm, and I will be covering the event. Located at Cedar Bluff Park Pavilion in Fults, IL (at the corner of Fults Road and Church Street). Then we will proceed to hike the trails up to the Hill Prairies to some stunning overlooks. Below are some images I shot today.
The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves will be holding a belated 50th Anniversary Celebration of the dedication of the Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve in Monroe County. Fults was dedicated as a Nature Preserve in October 1970. With activities restricted in 2020, the 50th-anniversary celebration of this dedicated Nature Preserve and National Natural Landmark site will take place this year.
Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve was the 30th nature preserve dedicated in the state of Illinois and the first in Monroe County. The beautiful site has the largest complex of high-quality loess hill prairies in Illinois. The site includes a 1.4-mile loop trail through the hill prairies, glades. and woodlands.
The event will include a short ceremony at the Cedar Bluff Park pavilion in Fults, IL at 10:00 am (at the corner of Fults Road and Church Street). The ceremony will be followed by guided hikes at the nature preserve, with regional conservation experts leading the hikes and sharing stories along the way.
Noted guests for the event include John Schwegman, Andy West, Phil Borsdorf, Marty Kemper, and Mark Phipps.
The public is encouraged to attend, dress for the weather and rugged hike, and to earn their “out of breath hiking crew” patch.
The Illinois Nature Preserves System was established by state law in 1963. In preserves owned by scores of agencies, organizations and individuals, dependent upon popular support and inter-agency collaboration, the 607 preserves and reserves protect the state’s finest woodlands, prairies, and wetlands for the benefit of science, the public, and for the survival of nature itself. These lands and their rare and endangered species represent thousands of years of heritage and millions of years of evolution. They are crucial resources for the future. This event provides an opportunity to celebrate this nature preserve and for attendees to learn about the history and ecology of the site while enjoying the stunning views from the bluffs of Monroe County.