Winnebago County: Tour of Torstenson Center

When
05/16/2014
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location
Northeast of Pecatonica, IL

The Northwest Illinois Forestry Association is sponsoring a tour of the Torstenson Youth Conservation Education Center at 1:00 pm on Friday, May 16th near Pecatonica, Illinois.

The Center’s mission is to teach youth to become the future stewards of Illinois' natural resources through conservation education and outdoor activities. Situated south of the Pecatonica River, its 5,000 square foot education building sits amidst 750 acres of woodlands, prairies, wetlands,wildlife food plots, and cropland. The habitat supports waterfowl, migratory songbirds, deer, turkey, and nesting Sand Hill Cranes. Walking trails provide visitors hunting, hiking, and observation experiences.

Also on the tour will be the $3 million log home where the Torstenson family lived. The home has a large gourmet kitchen, billiard room, kennels, 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, a large dining room and a huge great room. The great room, has a 2 sided fireplace with 22-foot long Butternut mantles that were harvested from a tree on the property. It now is available for daily renting to help pay for the upkeep of the center.

Directions: 13735 Cook Road, Pecatonica; from US Route 20, take Pecatonica Road north into Pecatonica, turn right (east) on 3rd Street/Telegraph Road, continue about 4 miles on Telegraph Road to turn left onto Wiegert Road and then turn immediately left onto Cook Road. The entrance is about 0.3 miles farther. As you enter the Torstenson property, continue about 100 yards to the Education facility where the tour will start. Please dress according to weather conditions and wear appropriate walking shoes.

NIFA is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating both private woodland owners and the general public about the environmental and financial benefits of sustainable forest management. All NIFA events are open to the public.