at Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary

1 pm – 3 pm

This will be a roughly 2-3 mile free walk/hike through a prairie wildlife sanctuary. We will discuss the concept of managed nature. This hike would be rated as easy. Participants should consider wearing tennis or hiking shoes and may want to bring a hat or sunglasses and water.
Weather Note: Event not held if severe weather warnings immediately threaten area. Call 217-414-6325 if you have concerns about whether the event will be held.

The Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary is a 120-acre private-sector nonprofit park and wildlife sanctuary located just south of Loami, approximately 8 miles west of Chatham. Operated by the Friends of the Sangamon Valley, the sanctuary commemorates its benefactors, farmers Frank and Gladys Nipper, and specializes in the recreation of the former tallgrass prairie once common in central Illinois. Grassland birds, such as meadowlarks and dickcissels, are a common sight and the state-endangered short-eared owl has been seen here. The sanctuary is located at 9560 Withers Road, along Lick Creek approximately two miles southeast of Loami, Illinois.
Sanctuary website: https://fosvdotorg.wordpress.com/nipper-wildlife-sanctuary/
All attendees will need to sign a Sierra Club waiver of liability upon arrival. Limited to 20 participants, RSVP on the Sierra Club Sangamon Valley Group Facebook page or with Erin Kirkpatrick at nire0724@hotmail.com.
Minors need to be accompanied by a legal guardian OR have a Sierra Club minor release of liability/medical treatment authorization form properly filled out and completed by the legal guardian.

For more information and directions, click here.