Public Invited to Open House at the new Oxbow Springs

PHOTO COURTESY OF JUDITH BARNARD The Gazette
The Pecatonica River along the border of Oxbow Springs. There will be an Open House at this newly-purchased natural area on Wednesday, April 30.
The Natural Land Institute (NLI) invites the community to attend a public Open House at their new Oxbow Springs natural area, 15197 Telegraph Rd. in Pecatonica, on Wednesday, April 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Registration is required for this free event, either online at www.naturalland.org/event/public-open-house-oxbow-springs or by calling 815-964-6666. Parking is limited and guests are encouraged to car pool.
The 128-acre Oxbow Springs was purchased from the Hazel Doty Estate in December 2024. While it is currently not open to the public, this will be a good opportunity for the public to explore and see the natural features and wildlife that call this preserve home. As guests arrive to the preserve, they will be greeted by NLI staff and volunteers and encouraged to explore on their own, starting by walking along the Robert and Beverly Beebe Nature Trail. Staff will be stationed at various points throughout the preserve to share information about what is seen in that area and future plans for this site. Guests will be able to look through a scope to see a Bald Eagle’s nest. Toward the back of the preserve is rich woodland with Virginia Bluebells that should be in bloom at the time of the open house. Other natural features of this preserve include a mile of the Pecatonica River flowing along the border, two oxbow wetlands, an artesian spring and antique cattle trough, and the outlet of Doty Creek.
About Natural Land Institute
The Natural Land Institute, an accredited conservation land trust, is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization based in Rockford. The current service area covers 12 counties in northern Illinois. NLI’s mission is to create an enduring legacy of natural land in northern Illinois for people, plants and animals. Since 1958 NLI has protected nearly 19,000 acres of land, primarily in Illinois with some in southern Wisconsin. NLI currently owns 3,471 acres (25 preserves) of protected land and holds 52 conservation easements (voluntary land protection agreements) on 4,589 acres of land owned by individuals and other conservation organizations.
For more information and to donate visit NaturalLand.org