The Whiteside County Natural Area Guardians Purpose

The Whiteside Natural Area Guardians are a committee of the Whiteside County Soil and Water Conservation District, operating under the Illinois SWCD Act, to promote, to locate, to preserve and provide educational activities in the field of natural history and environmental protection and including the following:

a. to locate and inventory natural areas in Whiteside County;

b. to obtain funding to purchase natural areas in Whiteside County, also to receive grants of land;

c. to encourage preservation and management of natural areas in Whiteside County;

d. to provide assistance to landowners;

e. to promote educational programs;

f. to network with DNR, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, The Nature Conservancy, The Natural Land Institute, Illinois Audubon Society, and related groups, (such as Boy Scouts.)

One of the first projects of the Whiteside County Natural Area Guardians was the publication of the Self-Guided Tour of natural areas in Whiteside County. Following this was the printing of the Plant Guide book which is designed to help the non-botanist identify native flora found in remnants throughout the county. Seed is collected from these remnants in the fall of the year and then used to restore areas to their pre-settlement condition. Surplus prairie seed is sent to Prairie Moon Nursery in Minnesota, where it is cleaned and sold. Seed-collecting is a yearly activity and of short duration. Proceeds are used for the student scholarship program and teacher grants, and other educational programs. An art show and activities such as bake sales are also methods of creating income for these programs and also to purchase necessary equipment for management. Controlled burns, brush cutting, and removal of exotic weeds are essential to maintain natural areas.

Other activities include annual field trips to natural areas such as remnants in cemeteries or to private land. Presently a young man is working on his Eagle Scout project removing honeysuckle from a former railroad right-of-way along 1-88 in Whiteside County. The Natural Area Guardians provide an opportunity for people from a wide variety of backgrounds and ages who are interested in preserving native vegetation for the betterment of songbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife dependent on the rare plants contained in the prairies, woodlands, and wetlands of Whiteside County, saving these for future generations to enjoy.

Tim Keller, October 2009

Natural Area Guardians Information