Photo of restored savannah on the Tamarack SouthEast Site, located at the entrance to the Richmond Burton Community High School, Tryon Grove Rd., Richmond, IL.
We are pleased to report that we have successfully completed this Stewardship Challenge Grant and have provided our final report to the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF).
Thank you, thank you to our generous donors and our incredible stewardship workday volunteers whose contributions reached our $7000 fundraising target and surpassed our 400 hours of stewardship goal!
With your help, we raised a total of $34,000 that was put towards the restoration of the 7-acre oak savanna and more acres of prairie. This past winter the clearing of the savanna was completed, and Richmond-Burton High School National Honors Society students hand-seeded the savanna with native plant seeds. A total of 825 volunteer stewardship went into the savanna restoration. We are looking forward to seeing the site bloom over the coming years.
Map of photo point location
The before and after photos of the oak savanna represent hours and hours of hard work by many volunteers! On behalf of that oak savanna and the Friends of Hackmatack – THANK YOU for making it happen!!

Photo Point 1: BASELINE, Jan 6, 2020
Before savanna restoration

Photo point 1: July 31, 2023
Savanna restoration being maintained by board-lead volunteer work days. Savannah under story has been seeded and in development.

Photo point 2: BASELINE, Jan 6, 2020
Before savanna restoration

Photo point 2: July 31, 2023
Savanna restoration in maintenance, Under story restoration advancing.

Photo point 3: BASELINE, Jan 6, 2020
Before prairie restoration

Photo point 3: July 31, 2023
Prairie restoration with some natives becoming established.

Photo point 4: BASELINE, Jan 6, 2020
Before prairie restoration

Photo point 4: July 31, 2023
View north on property from High School. Field under restoration with natives forbes/grasses becoming established. Savanna in background free of invasive brush and view of prairie restoration in progress.
Friends of Hackmatack NWR
P.O. Box 413
Richmond, IL 60071
friendsofhackmatacknwr@gmail.com
Call 262-448-3558 to listen for the latest updates on upcoming activities. If you need to reach us, please leave a message and we will return your call.
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