Updated Jul 29, 2024

Here Are The 7 Absolute Best Pumpkin Patches In Illinois To Enjoy In 2024

Updated Jul 29, 2024

Written by

Linze Rice

Nature|Wildlife & Farms

Published Jul 8, 2024

Touring This Alpaca Farm In Poplar Grove Might Be The Most Extraordinary Animal Encounter You Can Have In Illinois

Published Jul 8, 2024

Written by

Daisy Dow

Illinois has its fair share of wild animals that many of us regularly encounter. When I see a rabbit, squirrel, groundhog or deer, I barely register it. Seeing an alpaca, on the other hand, is something I would not expect to run into. Alpaca Pines in Poplar Grove, IL offers open houses when you can stop by the farm and fiber mill to get up close to its herd of alpacas.

Located just south of the Wisconsin border, Alpaca Pines is a 40-minute drive from downtown Rockford.

alt — Alpaca Pines llc Farm and Fiber Mill/Google Reviews

Owner Vicki Glenn-Donley began the business in 2011 and has since built it into a working farm and fiber arts studio.

Glenn-Donley is a third generation farmer who values introducing young people to animals.

The farm houses almost 40 alpacas, a llama, sheep, ducks, chicken, turkeys and a goose.

The entire operation began when Glenn-Donley adopted two male Suri alpacas.

From there, she was inspired to try fiber arts. The farm expanded as a working mill and studio that offers fiber processing services.

Alpaca Pines offers tours when coordinated in advance, so be sure to call ahead if you'd like to interact with the herd.

alt — Alpaca Pines LLc Farm and Fiber Mill/ Facebook

There is a lot of nitty-gritty business that has to go on behind the scenes to ensure that the alpacas are being well taken care of. Many of the alpacas have been rescued, so the team at Alpaca Pines makes sure every animal is comfortable interacting with people before having guests feed them.

Having honed her skills as a fiber artist, Glenn-Donley offers classes and workshops at the fiber mill.

alt — Alpaca Pines LLc Farm and Fiber Mill/ Facebook

Past classes have included yarn spinning using a Turkish spindle, crochet classes, and needle felting classes.

There is a working loom in the yarn and gift shop at the front of the farm.

With a colorful assortment of hand-spun yarns, the shop is a joy to walk through. Alpaca Pines also sells pillows, pottery, and imported items from Peru.

If you call ahead and schedule a tour, be sure to wash your hands first (and after!).

During National Alpaca Farm Days in late September every year, Alpaca Pines hosts a family-friendly event where visitors can buy a cup of food and feed the animals.

This family-owned and operated farm, mill and shop really puts Illinoian craftsmanship on display.

Whether you want to see the farm, partake in a fiber arts class, or pick up some yarn, Alpaca Pines is certainly worth a visit. There are many sweet faces all around wanting to say hello!

Be sure to check Alpaca Pines' website and Facebook page to confirm open hours for tours and visits. Not too far from Alpaca Pines, you can also stop by Magic Meadows Alpacas Farm if you want to pack a day with multiple alpaca farms visits in northern Illinois. No matter how many alpacas you are hoping to see in a day, I'd suggest having some hand sanitizing spray in your pocket. It's thoughtful to use it before and after touching an animal to all creatures involved safe!

What other spots in Illinois are worth exploring for unexpected animal encounters?

Nature|Wildlife & Farms

Published Jul 3, 2024

This Illinois Nature Sanctuary Makes For The Perfect Bird-Themed Day Trip

Published Jul 3, 2024

Written by

Daisy Dow

Wildlife sanctuaries can be found all over Illinois, but to protect the wildlife within them, many are not open to the public. Fortunately, the Illinois Audubon Society's H & B Bremer Sanctuary invites the public to come out to their nature preserve to learn about the ecosystem. Not only does this sanctuary play a vital role in protecting some of our state's prairies, but it gives the next generation of naturalists, ecologists and nature-lovers an incomparable look at some of Illinois' most brightly-colored wildlife.

H & B Bremer Wildlife Sanctuary is an oak-hickory forest home to a variety of bird species.

Before it was donated to the Audubon Society in 1977, the area was a family-owned farm. Today, the sanctuary bears the name of sisters of Helen and Betty Bremer who donated their family's 203 acres of land to protect The Prairie State's wildlife.

H & B Bremer Wildlife Sanctuary is home to the Hickory Hills Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society.

alt — Bremer Sanctuary, Hickory Hills Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society/ Facebook

Renovations on the sanctuary's barn began in 1985. It has since been turned into an educational hub with frequent programming.

Events draw crowds interested in learning more about Illinois' prairie ecosystems.

alt — Bremer Sanctuary, Hickory Hills Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society/ Facebook

School groups circulate through H & B Bremer's Education Barn as well to learn about the flora and fauna all around the area. To get an up close look at what is talked about, volunteers sometimes take visitors around the sanctuary in a wagon.

Outside, there are several trails weaving through H & B Bremer Wildlife Sanctuary.

Covering the 3.1-mile loop trail usually takes just under an hour to complete. Most of the trail is comprised of mowed paths. Be prepared to be in direct sunlight most of the time, and dress appropriately.

H & B Bremer Sanctuary often hosts guided walks led by naturalists.

alt — Bremer Sanctuary, Hickory Hills Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society/ Facebook

Recent walks have included prairie wildflower walks, evening strolls to track down bats and a night hike looking for frogs and toads.

Scattered across the park there are signs and benches paying tribute to sisters Helen and Betty Bremer and others who have made a lasting impact on the sanctuary.

Local artist Alma Tarran carved this poem overlooking the memorial area of the sanctuary. There is a lot to read all around the sanctuary as there are plaque pointing out different species of trees including white and bur oaks.

The main purpose of the sanctuary is to provide a safe environment for birds to nest and rest.

Woodpeckers, cardinals, finches, and the endangered Henslow's sparrow make use of the sanctuary.

All across the sanctuary, there are nest boxes where birds can safely lay eggs.

alt — Bremer Sanctuary, Hickory Hills Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society/ Facebook

H & B Sanctuary has set up cameras inside the boxes to monitor the eggs' (and eventually hatchlings') development. Birds nesting in the boxes include eastern bluebirds, tree swallows and house wrens. The sanctuary asks that guests do not open the boxes.

Many birds can be seen in the trees above the trails, but be sure to look at ground-level as well.

alt — Bremer Sanctuary, Hickory Hills Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society/ Facebook

The sanctuary is home to wild turkeys, white-tail deers, rabbits, opossums, and turtles.

Taking Timber Trail will get you close to Turtle Pond, one of the hotspots for the sanctuary's amphibians.

Do keep in mind that just because it's called "Turtle Pond", seeing a turtle is not guaranteed. In the winter turtles will hibernate, and other times they might be wary of people getting too close. Staying quiet and keeping your eyes peeled is your best bet!

While H & B Bremer has its own trails, you can also easily access Arches Rail Trail from the sanctuary's Bluebird Trail.

The Rail Trail is named after two Civil War-era bridges located a ways off the path. Be careful going off path if you decide to hunt down the bridges.

While human beings are welcome to enjoy the trails, the area is first and foremost a nature sanctuary.

The serene environment is a welcome getaway for us humans, but picking up after ourselves and being mindful of the wildlife that calls this sanctuary home is essential.

Be sure to check the H & B Bremer Sanctuary's website and Facebook page to keep up-to-date with ongoing programming and considerations of how best to respect the conservation efforts of the sanctuary. While sanctuaries are not always inviting visitors to pass through, there are lots of nature preserves around Illinois worth visiting including Hickory Creek Preserve in Mokena. Hunting is unequivocally forbidden in and around the sanctuary, but it's always a safe practice to wear blaze orange clothing to let people know you are around. For any avid hikers, I suggest having a lightweight vest like this one from L.L.Bean ready to go in your car. Have you been to H & B Bremer Sanctuary? Let us know what wildlife you saw on your visit!

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on Nov 7

Here Are The 7 Absolute Best Pumpkin Patches In Illinois To Enjoy In 2024

1. Goebbert's Farm — South Barrington and Pingree Grove

2. Kuipers Family Farm — Maple Park

3. Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm and Fall Festival — Homer Glen

4. Lindberg Pumpkin Patch — Caledonia

5. Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch — Champaign

6. The Great Pumpkin Patch — Arthur

7. Pumpkin Blossom Hill — Red Bud

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Touring This Alpaca Farm In Poplar Grove Might Be The Most Extraordinary Animal Encounter You Can Have In Illinois

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This Illinois Nature Sanctuary Makes For The Perfect Bird-Themed Day Trip

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