Join the Illinois Forestry Association for an immersive and eye-opening field day at the beautiful Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary, located just southeast of Loami in Sangamon County. Led by tour leader Mike Kennedy, this two- to three-hour event takes you behind the scenes of a real-world oak and hickory ecosystem restoration to explore the monumental successes and frustrating struggles of bringing a woodland back to life.
The tour focuses heavily on the practical, hands-on realities of ecological restoration across ten acres of upland and bottomland woodlands. Participants will get an up-close look at extensive invasive species removal, discuss ongoing monitoring strategies, and examine the "good, the bad, and the ugly" of using various tree protection tubes to ward off deer and rodents. Mike will also dive into the forward-thinking concept of assisted migration and how selecting specific tree species can maximize future forest diversity and resilience.
To reach the woodlands, the tour begins with a quarter-mile walk on a mowed path through a beautifully restored prairie and wetlands. Once in the woods, expect a mile or less of walking on mowed, slightly hilly trails. Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots, and bring your questions for an honest look at habitat restoration. An on-site building with restroom facilities is available.
