Natural Area Guardians

Natural Area Guardians

Organized in 1983, the Henry County Natural Area Guardians is a sub-committee of the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District. The Henry County Natural Area Guardians are devoted to protecting and preserving the natural areas in Henry County for future generations.

Goals of the Henry County Natural Area Guardians:

  • Encourage preservation
  • Provide education
  • Locate natural areas
  • Assist landowners with managing natural areas
  • Inventory natural areas
  • Obtain funds to purchase and maintain natural areas

They meet regularly to conduct business and hold educational programs. Activities of the Natural Area Guardians include conducting prairie burns, holding an annual prairie walk at the Munson Township Cemetery, providing exhibits at conservation events, and sponsoring workshops.

Get involved!

Contact the Henry County SWCD office at 309-937-3377, ext 3 for further information about the Natural Area Guardians.

Henry County Natural Area Guardians Officers
President - Kim Reynolds
Vice President - Luanne Urban
Secretary/Treasurer - Steve Fairbanks

Read the NAGS 2017 Annual Report by clicking here

Clarence and Marie Medley Conservation Scholarship

The Henry County Natural Area Guardians will offer one (1) $500 scholarship to a college student presently in their sophomore or junior year at an institution also High School seniors can apply. Student should be pursuing a career in the area of conservation and/or the environment. Download and print the Clarence & Marie Medley Conservation Scholarship application. Applications are due in May.

For further information, contact the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District at 309-937-3377, extension 3

Front L to R: JoAnn Gernant, Luanne Urban, Earle Isibue (scholarship recipient), Stan Urban, Dorothy Brown, Carolyn Keller, Nancy Hulting

Back L to R: Sandy French, Peggy Bartels, Bob Bartels, Albert Hulting, Tim Keller, Carles Brown, Steve Fairbanks, Art French

Congratulations to Earle Isibue! Earle was the recipient of the Clarence and Marie Medley Conservation Scholarship for 2015!

Earle Isibue, transferring to Northern Illinois University as a junior this fall after receiving his associate degree at Rock Valley College this spring, has received the 2015 Clarence and Marie Medley Conservation Scholarship, awarded by the Henry County Natural Area Guardians, subcommittee of Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District. Isibue, majoring in geography and planning to minor in field ecology, is from Poplar Grove, Illinois, and is the husband of Kimberley Isibue. Isibue comes to the field of geography as a second career because he wants to experience the beauty of nature and would like to share it with others. He is fascinated with the science of the natural world and in awe of its beauty.

The $500 scholarship award is given annually to a college junior or senior and also a High school senior majoring in a conservation field. It is named for Clarence and Marie Medley who were active in the Natural Area Guardians and were instrumental in getting the award established.