Rock Springs Nature Center recently was the recipient of a land acquisition grant which allowed them to purchase land to the south of Fort Daniel.

Richie Wolf, Rock Springs Nature Center Executive Director, indicates they were able to purchase the land through a $1 million grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation.

Wolf says they purchased 180 acres of land and is attached to the south of the 200 acres Fort Daniel. He notes the land was attractive to Rock Springs due to a large creek that runs through the property and into Lake Decatur.

Wolf indicates there will be a three year period of converting the land from growing corn and soybeans to back to prairie and other native grasses. He hopes to have it restored quickly for wildlife to inhabit.

Wolf notes over time they will be able to help keep Lake Decatur a source of clean drinking water through maintaining the large creek in the property.