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Originally known as the Outdoor Heritage Foundation, established in 1985, the OHF changed its name to the Vermilion County Conservation District Foundation in 2000 to better characterize itself to the agency it serves.  The VCCDF funds a variety of projects that would normally not be funded through the VCCD budget without financial assistance.

The VCCDF owns 550 acre Jordan Creek Wildlife Preserve east of Rossville, IL.  The preserve contains a dedicated Illinois Nature Preserve along Jordan Creek which contains several state endangered mussels.  The preserve features several habitat types including riparian streams, wetlands, mature oak forest, savanna, secondary successional forest, grasslands, a seep, a small pond, and an old orchard.

Wildlife abounds, which include deer, fox, coyote, rabbit, raccoon, opossum, squirrels, pheasant, a variety of songbirds and neo-tropical birds, plus one of the county's three known great blue heron rookeries.  The Vermilion County Audubon Society utilizes the preserve as one of their blue bird monitoring projects.

The preserve is closed to the public, however educational groups or researchers may receive special permission for entrance.  Contact Mark Pittman at 217-442-1691 or mpittman@vccd.org

VCCDF Scholarship Application

The Marsh - February 2007

WHO WE ARE

Vermilion County Conservation District Foundation
was organized in 1984 as a 501(C) (3) non profit corporation and is funded through tax-deductible donations, gifts of land, stocks, insurance policies, or other assets to support, direct, and maintain Kennekuk County Park, Forest Glen Preserve, Lake Vermilion County Park and Heron County Park.

MISSION

"Our mission is to support the efforts of the Vermilion County Conservation District through the conservation of our natural resources, improvement of natural and scenic areas, and enhancement of the quality of life through all resource preservation."

VISION

Vermilion County Conservation District Foundation
aspires to be an organization which is committed to all natural and
wildlife resource conservation activities which ensure future growth,
and scenic enhancements for public use. 
This is to be accomplished through

• Continued and expanded scientific research of natural areas, water habitat, and wildlife.

• Expansion of conservation, parks, education, and educational facilities to citizens of Vermilion County, Illinois.

• Maintenance and support of capital projects, park property, and public accesses.

• Preservation of historical and natural environments.

• Promote activities within Vermilion County which encourage citizens and local businesses to support the organization through gifts of money, land, grants, stocks, insurance policies, or other assets which enhance the overall efforts.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEETINGS

February 1, 2008 (Fri) V.C.C.D.F. Board of Directors Meeting; 9 am; White Oak Nature Center, Kennekuk

April 11, 2008 (Fri) V.C.C.D.F Board of Directors Meeting; 9 am; White Oak Nature Center, Kennekuk

June 13, 2008 (Fri) V.C.C.D.F Board of Directors Meeting; 9 am; White Oak Nature Center, Kennekuk

August 8, 2008 (Fri) V.C.C.D.F Board of Directors Meeting; 9 am; White Oak Nature Center, Kennekuk

October 10, 2008 (Fri) V.C.C.D.F. Board of Directors Meeting; 9 am; O'Learys Dining Car, Kennekuk

December 12, 2008 (Fri) V.C.C.D.F. Board of Directors Meeting; 9 am; White Oak Nature Center, Kennekuk

RECENT PROJECTS

1. Renovation of 1843 Laury Barn at Kennekuk County Park's Bunker Hill Historic Area $5,000 for new timbers.

2. Drill well for windmill at Laury Barn ($5,000).

3. Video Production of VCCD Activities and Events (cost-shared with VCCD).

4. Heron County Park
   * 30 ft. Timber-Framed Observation Tower - $5,000
   * Handicapped walkway - $5,000

5. Development of new Lake Vermilion/Heron County Park brochure

6. Reprint Forest Glen Preserve and Kennekuk County Park brochures (cost share with VCCD)

CURRENT/ACTIVE PROJECTS

1. Asphalt handicapped trail at Kennekuk County Park

2. Conservation Education Center at Kennekuk County Park (long-term project)

3. Addition of kitchenette and indoor restroom facilities for Maple Grove Lodge at Forest Glen preserve.

SPECIAL FUNDRAISING PROJECTS

1. Shiitake Mushroom Research
   Shiitake mushrooms are available to purchase in spring and fall at $6.00 per pound.   To be placed on a list to be called when mushrooms are available call 217-662-2142.

2. Commemorative Walkway - Commemorative Brick Order Form
   The Vermilion County Conservation District Foundation will provide a specially engraved brick (engraved per your instructions) to be placed in the Commemorative Walkway at the Bunker Hill Historic Area at Kennekuk County Park.
   Engraved bricks are available in two sizes.  Either a 4x8 size, offering three lines of engraving with fifteen characters (including spaces) per line.  Any number of characters from zero up to but not exceeding fifteen can be included on each line.  The cost of the brick including engraving is $100.00 for the 4x8 or $200.00 for the 8x8 size.  The proceeds from the sale of the commemorative bricks will be utilized to provide funding for the Foundation's mission to support the Conservation District's efforts to provide improved educational and recreational resources.

SPECIAL FUND RAISING EVENTS

1. "Cheeseburgers and Tumatoe" - Saturday, August 9; Bunker Hill Historic Area at Kennekuk County Park; Music, antique car show, entertainment

2. Vermilion County Civil War Days - Saturday and Sunday, September 27-28; Bunker Hill Historic Area at Kennekuk County Park; Foundation receives portion of gate receipts to benefit the expansion of Maple Grove Lodge.

To join the VCCDF - membership application

For further questions about the VCCDF contact:

The VCCDF Board of Directors hosted "Media Day" and toured the Wetland Boardwalk facility in May 2001.	The VCCDF funded the drilling of the well for this working windmill. The windmill was donated by Harold Leisch of Danville.
The VCCDF supports natural areas of the Vermilion County Conservation District. This is a native stand of Liatris aspera at Kennekuk County Park.	Vehicles, such as the Outdoor Discovery and a 30 passenger bus were purchased by the VCCDF to be used for conservation education programs.
Larry Gilliland constructs a deck onto the Gannett Outdoor Education Center, funded by the VCCDF.	Kennekuk marshes were constructed with the help of VCCDF funding.
Gannett Outdoor Education Center Deck