Click the dots on the map above to learn more about the sites we steward.
Managing Natural Areas
Grand Prairie Friends helps maintain 37 natural areas in East-Central Illinois in Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, Piatt, and Vermillion counties. We own six of these sites, which range in size from 1.4 acres to 14 acres. A wide variety of ecosystems are represented in these sites, from hill prairie to sand pond. Most of these sites have one or two volunteer stewards who are responsible for managing these areas. Management practices include leading volunteer workdays, carrying out prescribed burns, and controlling invasive species.
Included among these sites are:
- Eleven state nature preserves
- One state natural area
- One natural heritage landmark
- A national scenic river