The Land Conservancy - Places We've Protected

Willaredt Sites
The Madison County Board, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and TLC signed two conservation easements to protect 52 acres in Madison County in 2004 and 2008. The Land Conservancy will hold the conservation easement of these parcels of land to preserve, restore, and maintain natural features, wetland resources, and ecological values of the property to provide wildlife habitat, maintain water quality, and control water runoff. “The Land Conservancy has been a very cooperative partner in assisting Madison County with this long-term conservation effort. The Land Conservancy’s involvement will ensure that the land is conserved as open space for generations to come,” stated Mike Fruth, Stormwater Coordinator for Madison County.

Willoughy Heritage Farm and Conservation Preserve
The Collinsville Area Parks and Recreation District entered into a conservation easement with The Land Conservancy in 2003 on 30 acres of wooded land located in Collinsville. The land will be used for conservation purposes as outlined in the master plan for the property. Residential, commercial, and most all other land uses are prohibited by the conservation easement. TLC will monitor the property for perpetuity to make sure the conservation values are maintained. The Willoughby Heritage Farm & Conservation Reserve is a unique site that is heavily secluded from adjacent properties. This secluded nature is conducive to environmental education. Once restored, the farm will represent the stand-alone subsistence family farm of the 1920s through the 1950s. The conservation easement will ensure that a portion of the property retains the secluded feel of a wildlife preserve several miles from the nearest development.

Mosenthein & Gabaret Islands
Working in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and The Trust for Public Land, Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation & Development was able to assist in acquiring all available remaining private interests on Gabaret and Mosentheirn Islands. At two thousand acres, this acquisition significantly increased the amount of public open space within the Chouteau Island.

Chouteau Island
With funding provided by the State of Illinois and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation we were able to acquire an additional 94 acres on Chouteau Island, which has been deeded to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Pontoon Beach
Arlington Wetland is an 83-acre remnant meander of the Mississippi River and its preservation, through two conservation easements, will serve an important role in providing stormwater storage, clean water, and wildlife habitat for this community in Madison County. The preservation of this property would not have been made possible without the partnership created with Madison County government and the Collinsville Area Recreation District. The funding for this project was also a collaborative effort involving ConocoPhillips, The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service.

O’Fallon
180 acres are held in a conservation easement as a mixture of cropland, woodland, riparian areas, and a house area. This property is located just outside of O’Fallon and the easement will keep the land from being converted to urban uses. Forest, wildlife, and other conservation values will be maintained for perpetuity in an area where much of the surrounding lands have been converted t urban uses. Since the O’Fallon area has seen such a high rate of growth and conversion of land to impermeable surfaces, this easement provides critical groundwater recharge and absorption capacity to the community. The long-term plan of the landowner is to convert the cropland to either forestland or grassland through the CRP program. The landowner has implemented woodland improvement through removal of undesirable woody vegetation in several areas to encourage the growth of more desirable species.

Millstadt
Two conservation easements just west of Millstadt in the karst topography region protect a total of 92 acres from conversion to urban uses. One parcel includes 42 acres of mature woodland and tall grass prairie that provides significant wildlife habitat and open space values for the community. The second parcel provides for the protection of 50 acres of open space and the farmland is being restored back to forest and wildlife habitat through tree plantings, pond and wetland construction, and other conservation practices. Urban development along Kropp road was threatening these properties that will now be protected in perpetuity and will provide significant open space and conservation values to the community and region.

Shiloh
The 143 acre Engelmann Farm was purchased by the Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation & Development in 2007 to eventually be dedicated as a county park. This property, which sits on one of the highest points in the region, contains two historic houses, eighty acres of high-quality woods and the balance in farmland. Future plans for the site call for passive recreation.

Collinsville
A 1.5 acre wooded area in a subdivision in Collinsville was donated to The Land Conservancy to be maintained as open space and to protect the heritage of the last remaining piece of a family farm. The wildlife habitat area will be protected as open space in an otherwise fully developed urban area. The long term plan is to convert the area into a public park or maintain as a wildlife habitat area in the community.


Trenton
Ten acres of mature hardwood forest just outside of Trenton is being protected through a conservation easement that will maintain the forest and wildlife benefits and preserve hundreds of native wildflowers. This area is in the path of urbanization outside of Trenton and the easement will maintain the plant and animal habitat and serve as scenic open space along the public road that runs through the site.


Fults
A native plant preserve located in the karst topography area of Monroe County is being protected with a conservation easement. Over 400 native plants are located on this thirteen acres site that serves as a unique opportunity to feature such broad ecosystem diversity. This site is also protected from urban development and the ground water quality is maintained in this fragile geologic area.


Working in partnership with the American Land Conservancy, Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation & Development has acquired nearly 1,000 acres on Rockwood Island. This property has been deeded over to the US Fish & Wildlife Service for inclusion in the Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge.

Ellis Grove
A 160-acre family farm in Randolph County is now protected through a conservation easement signed in 2009. For over a hundred years the property has been available for farming, hiking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife habitat. With a conservation easement in place this can be assured for future generations. The property consists of a mix of prime agricultural and mature forested land and will provide a critical sanctuary for wildlife in the area.

A 66 acre family farm just southeast of Carbondale is now protected from conversion to urban uses through a conservation easement that was signed in 2007. This farm, which has been in the family for over 100 years, provides open space and wildlife habitat value in an area that is rapidly being converted to residential uses. The property offers a scenic view along Giant City Road and provides a variety of plant and animal benefits for present and future generations.