Wine & Brew at the Wetland supports Nygren Wetland Preserve

Wine & Brew at the Wetland is a unique outdoor summer event that benefits the ongoing management of Nygren Wetland Preserve, a 721-acre wildlife refuge located in Rockton, Ill., 3190 W. Rockton Road, and Natural Land Institute’s largest preserve. Wine & Brew at the Wetland will be held on the afternoon of Saturday, July 15, 3 to 6 p.m.

Cost is $45 with advance registration due by Wed., July 12. Tickets at the event are $60 and subject to availability. Register at www.naturalland.org or call 815-964-6666.

Under the canopy of tents overlooking a Midwest prairie, guests will be able to sip, sample and mingle while they taste wine, craft beer, and whiskey.

Tastings are provided by local brewers including Prairie St. Brewing Co., Urban Forest Craft Brewing, Carlyle Brewing Co., and Forest City Brewers. Tastings of natural and organic wine and a variety of whiskey are provided by Artale & Co.

Wine & Brew guests will delight in a variety of prairie inspired nibbles by Greenfire Restaurant, while enjoying live music provided by Kelly Steward and Company. Guided and self-guided walks through the midsummer wildflowers and a cash bar will also be part of the summer casual affair. Guided tours start at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Sponsor support is provided by: Cindy Campbell and Sjostrom & Sons, Inc. (Pale Purple Coneflower/$1,500), Gibbons Electric and Midwest Packaging and Container (Grey-headed Coneflower/$1,000), Specialty Screw Corporation (Wild Bergamot/$750), Anonymous Friend, Paul and Teri Baits, and Studio GWA (Common Milkweed/$500).

About Nygren Wetland Preserve

The Carl & Myrna Nygren Wetland Preserve is a 721-acre wildlife sanctuary owned by the Natural Land Institute.

Since 2000, NLI has restored the site and managed prairies, wetlands, bottomland forest, and water resources in the preserve.

Raccoon Creek runs through the preserve with the Rock and Pecatonica Rivers forming the southeast corner of it. The Dianne Nora Nature Trail is a free 2.5 mile hiking trail around the wetland and is part of the Prairie State Hike app (99¢ in the Apple or Android Store).

About the Natural Land Institute

The Natural Land Institute, an accredited conservation land trust, is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization based in Rockford, Ill., which has protected 18,000 acres of natural land in Illinois since 1958.

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.

For more information and to donate visit NaturalLand.org. Nygren Wetland Preserve, a 721-acre wildlife refuge, is former farmland purchased by NLI in 2000 and is their largest land restoration project.