The Sangamon Conservancy Trust

Filing Period

Jul 1, 2011 to Jun 30, 2012

Signed

Nov 1, 2012

Return Version

2011v1.2

Gross Receipts

$12,680

Mission

Major Activities

Activity 2

Prairie creek habitat - this project is a joint project with the pleasant plains cusd 8 that showcases 3 types of habitat-prairie, woodlands and wetland. The site is 17 acres used as an outdoor classroom. Curricula has been developed according to the illinois learning standards for students and teachers to utilize. These resources are provided to the district's teachers visiting the habitat,along with activities to do with their students before they visit and after they return to their classroom. This information is also available to schools unable to make the trip to the habitat, but wish to teach their students about ecosystems, habitat and their interaction with today's society. A 5-acre riparian buffer has been planted to illinois native grasses, hardwood trees and shrubs on bottomland along prairie creek. A 1.2 acre wetland was constructed with a control valve to allow for seasonal variance and a viewing blind. Seven acres are devoted to woodlands, with native trees grouped as to how they would have been originally dispersed on this varied topography. Conifer windbreaks have been established and annual food plots seeded for wildlife. A walking trail meanders throughout the site and a paved, handicapped accessible path leads to a centrally located pavilion. Trail side learning stations, bird houses, tree identification stations and rest area shelters are strategically located throughout the area. Grant funds provided by a private foundation to the sangamon conservancy trust, and matched by the pleasant plains cusd 8, have been used to maintain this habitat. Wood chips, trail spraying and maintenance, tree watering (when necessary), weeding, prairie grass burns, and selective pesticide treatments are just a few of the many tasks undertaken annually to properly maintain the area.

Filer

EIN

37-1405442