Local and National Links of Interest
Checklist of the Birds of McLean County, IL
Click the above link to access a PDF file of the Birds of McLean County. Currently there have been 319 species recordered in this Central Illinois area. Last updated May 2021.
Audubon's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.
Illinois Audubon was organized as an independent, state-wide, educational and scientific organization, incorporated April 10, 1897, by the State of Illinois. Our mission is "to promote the perpetuation and appreciation of native flora and fauna of Illinois and the habitats that support them." Fundamental to this end are the control of pollution, the conservation of energy and all natural resources, a sound ecological relationship between human populations and their environments, and the education and involvement of the public in such efforts.
The Mission of Sugar Grove Nature Center is to provide a place where individuals can experience, study, and enjoy the environment and history of Funks Grove, and as a result be inspired to become responsible stewards of the environment.
ParkLands Foundation protects and restores natural lands in the Mackinaw River valley of McLean and Woodford counties. Our goal is to create a network of conservation lands corridors along the Mackinaw River and its tributaries. Since its founding in 1967, the organization has protected and restored (through ownership, intermediary conservation buyer or conservation easement) more than 3,200 acres pf prairie, savanna, floodplain forest and river habitat in the Mackinaw River valley of McLean, Tazewell and Woodford counties, and in other watersheds within McLean County. This includes two Illinois Nature Preserves that are owned (Ridgetop NP, Merwin NP), one that we manage in conjunction with our owned buffer strip (Weston Cemetery NP) and one that we donated to the IDNR (ParkLands NP). This also includes one designated Illinois Land and Water Reserve that we own; we are in the process of dedicating three additional owned preserves within this program.
Wild Ones - Illinois Prairie Chapter
To provide opportunities to share information about native Central Illinois prairie and woodland plants. We sponsor monthly programs that cover the multiple aspects of growing native plants such as identifying species, controlled burning, landscaping designs, and plant selection. All programming and meetings are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Wild Birds Unlimited doesn’t just sell bird feeders, bird houses, bird baths and bird food. They pride themselves on providing the most accurate information and knowledge about local birds, including hummingbirds. It is their goal for customers to have the best possible experience from their bird feeding hobby. Backyard bird feeding is the most relaxing, fulfilling, educational and exciting hobby that anyone, young or old, can enjoy.
The Regional Greenways Plan provides a framework for establishing a regional system of interconnected greenways throughout McLean County and beyond. The Plan presents goals and objectives in support of this vision and identifies priority future greenways and potential greenway linkages to other regions.
The Ecology Action Center is a walk-in information and environmental education center for individuals, classes, workshops, and meetings. Environmental groups in McLean County are encouraged to network here and may hold their board meetings by participating in a comprehensive working calendar, which helps avoid schedule conflicts and duplicated services
Mission Statement: To promote environmental stewardship in McLean County by educating people about the environment and coordinating communications among environmental groups.
Reason to click: Grand Prairie Friends of Illinois is a non-profit land trust that is committed to preserving and restoring tallgrass prairie in East-Central Illinois by acquiring and managing high quality prairie remnants, propagating prairie plant species for prairie reconstructions, and generating interest in prairie through community programs.
GPF was formed in 1984, when a group of citizens from Champaign-Urbana, IL, joined together with a commitment to preserve and restore tallgrass prairie in East-Central Illinois.
The Nature Conservancy (Illinois)
The Nature Conservancy is a well known conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.
Additional Links of Interest
Illinois Sites:
Central Illinois Birding Forum: http://groups.google.com/group/cilb
Illinois Ornithological Society: http://www.illinoisbirds.org/
National Sites:
eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/
All About Birds / Cornell Lab of Ornithology: http://www.allaboutbirds.org
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology - The Macaulay Library: https://www.macaulaylibrary.org/
Sibley Guides: http://www.sibleyguides.com/
Surfbirds.com, The World Birding Website: http://www.surfbirds.com/
Hummingbird Migration Map: https://www.hummingbirdcentral.com/hummingbird-migration.htm
Photo Tips Galore: https://phototipsgalore.com/bird-camera/
Site photography provided by Matthew Winks
Contact grand prairie bird alliance
If you would like to include your link on this page, or have a general question about where to find information, fill out the form below and one of our board members will get back to you.