McDonough County Conservation Tours

Born and raised in Schuyler County, my family has owned and operated Boehm's Garden Center since 1978.  I've been immersed in plants since birth.  My husband and I purchased our home and several acres around our home in 2002. Our home is located on non-reclaimed strip mine ground- our soil is heavy clay, at best.  We have spent the past 23+ years planting... trees, shrubs, prairie, native aquatics, and many perennials (well-adapted and native). Our goal has been to incorporate native plants into our landscape and increase habitat. 

 Locations and directions will be provided when you register.

Don't miss our other Conservation Tours:

Cindy Owsley – Forest Tour: Helping Forests Dance

May 3 • 2:00–4:00 PM   Explore a 38‑acre restoration project where invasive species have been removed, and native woodland plants are returning. This half‑mile hike highlights woodland management techniques, a 20‑year‑old Conservation Reserve planting, and the journey to restore healthy forests. S’mores around the campfire follow the tour. Cap: 35

Patrick & Mercedes Heles – Home Garden Tour

May 30 • 3:00–4:30 PM  A whimsical, storybook‑inspired home garden filled with native and locally suited plants. This low‑impact, pollinator‑friendly landscape blends years of thoughtful planting with rare specimens inherited from the home’s former horticulturist owners. Cap: 20

Barrie McVey – Tree Farm Tour & Picnic

June 6 • 10:00 AM–1:30 PM   Visit a long‑established certified Tree Farm featuring forest management practices, invasive species control, pollinator plots, a Chinese chestnut orchard, and a pumpkin patch. Bring a sack lunch for the midday break. Cap: 35

Carey Boehm‑Corrie – Native Lawnscaping Tour

June 13 • 10:00 AM–12:00 PM   Tour a home landscape built on former strip‑mine ground and transformed over 23 years with native trees, shrubs, prairie plants, aquatics, and perennials. A great example of resilient, habitat‑focused landscaping. Cap: 30

Giving Gardens – Project Insight Garden Tour

June 20 • 8:00–9:30 AM   Learn how Giving Gardens supports community food access through public‑harvest gardens. Explore the Project Insight Giving Garden and discover how these spaces strengthen neighborhoods and increase local food abundance. Cap: None

Brent Fowler – Curtis Farm Wagon Tour

July 4 • 9:00–11:00 AM   Ride through prairie and pollinator plantings established to support bobwhite quail and other wildlife. See how 135 acres of habitat and 30 miles of field edges are managed for conservation success. Restrooms available. Cap: 40

Trevor Toland – Cattle Farm Wagon Tour: Conservation of Working Lands with Regenerative Grazing

July 18 • 8:30–11:00 AM   Tour River Oak Ranch and see one of Illinois’ leading regenerative grazing operations. Learn how conservation practices and intensive grazing management support soil health, livestock, and long‑term land resilience. Cap: 50

Angella Moorehouse – Short Fork Seep Tour

August 7 • 5:00–6:30 PM   Explore a high‑quality 42‑acre Illinois Nature Preserve featuring Grade B seep and sedge meadow wetlands. Learn about recent restoration efforts to revive sunlight, hydrology, and the historic oak‑hickory community. Trail rated difficult. Cap: 25

Brent Fowler – Sapp Farm Wagon Tour

August 22 • 9:00–11:00 AM   Another chance to tour Brent Fowler’s prairie and pollinator habitat work, with a focus on wildlife restoration—especially bobwhite quail. Enjoy the scenery and learn practical habitat‑building strategies. Restrooms available. Cap: 40

Prairie Land Conservancy – Mindfulness Walk at Stony Hills Nature Preserve

September 5 • 10:00 AM–12:00 PM   A guided mindfulness walk through a 200‑acre preserve near the Mississippi River. Slow down, observe nature, and experience the health benefits of time outdoors. Trails are mowed grass with easy to moderate terrain. Cap: 35