SPRINGFIELD, IL. The Illinois Audubon Society has been awarded a Community Stewardship Challenge Grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. The 18-month grant will fund restoration costs for the Crowfoot Wetland Connection Project at Amboy Marsh Nature Preserve in Amboy, Illinois. The Foundation will match up to $7,000 dollars at a 3-to-1 ratio providing up to $21,000 in total support from the Foundation. Any funds raised by the Society beyond the $7,000 as part of this effort will also be used for stewardship at Amboy Marsh Nature Preserve.
“The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation continues to be an outstanding partner for us at Amboy Marsh Nature Preserve all the way from initial purchase to on-going stewardship,” remarked Illinois Audubon Society Executive Director Jim Herkert. “This latest grant will help us advance our restoration and stewardship work at the site.”
The Crowfoot Wetland Connection Project will enhance habitat for endangered and threatened species by removing woody invasives in the upland savanna and invasive vegetative species in the wetland areas. The grant will also help provide personal safety equipment for volunteer stewards.
Amboy Marsh Nature Preserve was purchased by the Illinois Audubon Society in 2012 with assistance from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. Located in southeastern Lee County, the 302-acre wetland complex is interspersed with black oak sand savannas, sedge meadows and dry sand prairie. Diverse habitat provides homes for a variety of native flora and fauna. Visitors are welcome to enjoy walking the trails from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year.