Western Illinois Nature Group was created to find and purchase a forested property in west central Illinois to accomplish our goals. We seek the financial support and encouragement of area communities and organizations, as well as the dedication of our membership, to preserve a beautifully wooded area for enjoyment well beyond this century. The generosity of corporate and private foundations and local businesses is essential. 

Paintings and Postcards for Sale!

For our 2025 Spring Fundraiser, we will be selling Postcards and auctioning Paintings!

There are 15 unique cards in the set all taken by local photographers! You can buy them at this link!

[https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DFM6KJP8RXXTW]

Speaking of photographers, Kaleb Fowler was the winner of our photo contest! Kaleb actually had TWO photos tie for 1st place!

You can help with the maintenance of Blackthorn Hill while mailing a little joy to your friends and family!

Ron Hunt, our Board Chair and local Artist is donating a painting every two weeks to be auctioned.  Starting bid is $15 and you can make your bids on our Facebook Page. 

Thanks for your support!

Our Membership year is April 1-March 30

Renewing your membership to WING's Blackthorn Hill has never been easier and your donation can go further!  Membership is a minimum of $30 per family.  Use the Donate button above to become a member or renew membership. You can also renew by mailing a check to WING, c/o L Wright, 1678 Oriole Drive, Galesburg, IL  61401.  Pay your renewal or new membership, before June 27, 2025, through Birdies for Charity and WING gets a 5% bonus!  Go to Home - Birdies for Charity  and click on the Donate Now button. Choose charity 751-Western Illinois Nature Group-Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve. Donations of $20 or more are accepted online.  Your donations will go further with bonus dollars from JDC.  Thank you in advance!

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Our first Spring Wildflower ID hike, led by Tony Kloppenborg will be Saturday, April 19th at 9am.  Meet in the parking lot. Wear sturdy shoes.  Be prepared to hike hills.

 May 3rd's hike has been replaced by a May 10 hike at Matheissen State Park at 10am, or meet at the southwest corner of the Walmart parking lot at 8am to caravan and/or carpool. Bring water and a sack lunch. See you at Blackthorn again on May 17.

Our next monthly Board Meetings will be June 19, August 21 6pm at Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve, weather permitting and October 16 6pm at the Knights of Columbus, Galesburg.

Watch our website and Facebook Page (not the Facebook Group) for information on upcoming events.

Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP)

During parts of April and May annually, all trails may be closed for IRAP's Spring Turkey Season.  

The 2025 Spring Turkey season is Youth March 22-30, and April 5-6, 3rd Season – April 25th – 30th, and 4th Season – May 1st – 7th Hunting is from dawn to 1pm during these dates.

If someone is parked in the IRAP parking space in the parking lot, an archery deer hunter is on the property hunting.  This pays our bills.  Please be safe and respectful.  Wear bright colored clothing, limit your visit to the parking lot area, and stay quiet please.  Only IRAP authorized hunters are allowed to hunt on this property and only according to IRAP rules and regulations.  Violators will be turned in to the authorities. 

WING's partnership with IRAP pays our bills while maintaining the health of our deer and turkey populations.  We have entered into this agreement for good stewardship of the land.  Planting diversity in our woods and prairie also helps to feed these and other wildlife.

Click on IRAP on the left menu  here, or check out their website to learn more.

www.dnr.illinois.gov/conservation/irap 

Birdies for Charity-Pledge now to support Western Illinois Nature Group-Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve.  Use Bird# 751. Donate - Birdies for Charity  

“As a disabled veteran it can at times be difficult finding time to access hunting opportunities on privately controlled lands. Thanks to the IRAP, I was able to harvest a whitetail doe while spending some much needed time outdoors.” ~2023 Archery Deer Hunter

Legacy information

Consider leaving a bequest to Western Illinois Nature Group (WING) which owns and operates Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve to keep this local jewel thriving for future generations.  Find out more here: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10KUGYngBquWKJV-H75EnpJxf2Q-xW1iA/view?usp=sharing

and here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10KUGYngBquWKJV-H75EnpJxf2Q-xW1iA/view?usp=sharing

 Email us at blackthornhill@gmail.com .

Water: We bleach and test the water in our well monthly, but it is sulpherous and it is best to bring your own water.

Our Membership year is April 1-March 30

Renewing your membership to WING's Blackthorn Hill has never been easier and your donation can go further!  Membership is a minimum of $30 per family.  Use the Donate button above to become a member or renew membership. You can also renew by mailing a check to WING, c/o L Wright, 1678 Oriole Drive, Galesburg, IL  61401.  Pay your renewal or new membership through Birdies for Charity and WING gets a 5% bonus!  See below.