Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve

06/09/2026

Thank you to Ron Hunt for donating this beauty to benefit WING's Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve. Bidding will start at $15. Put your bid in the Comments on our page (the official Page for Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve. While you are there, Like the Page to get updates. Bidding will close on June 21st at midnight.

"Hatching A Plot" is a watercolor, 26 x 18" framed by Frameworks. It depicts the nuthatches that went up and down the old elm tree in front of my parents' house.The "yank, yank" call they make always makes me smile. ~Ron Hunt, Artist

06/03/2026

Have you made your pledge through Birdies for Charity to help support WING's Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve yet? Don't forget to guess the number of actual birdies shot at the John Deere Classic this summer for a chance to win many prizes including the Lexus lease! Thank you for supporting WING and Blackthorn Hill.

05/28/2026

If you pay your $30 annual membership dues through Birdies for Charity, WING will receive an additional 5 to 10% bonus! Have you already paid your dues, but want to support WING even further? Donate now at https://BirdiesforCharity.com/donate and choose WING's Blackthorn Nature Preserve. We are charity number 751. Thank you!

05/23/2026

Art Auction Item #3 Opossum Opinion, a watercolor 26 x 19", framed by Frameworks. (Pardon the reflection of me taking the picture.) Opossums are great animals, North America's only marsupial, resistant to rabies, snake venom, omnivorous, and perhaps most importantly, a single opossum can eat up to 5,000 ticks a year! Starting bid is $15. Bidding closes at Midnight, June 7. Place your bids in the comments. Thank you for supporting WING's Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve while enhancing your art collection! Thank you to our artist, Ron Hunt!

05/20/2026

Whether you are out at WING’s Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve, or supporting WING with a Birdie for Charity donation through the John Deere Classic, we appreciate your support! Birdie pledges will be accepted online now through July 1st. Chose Birdie #751 to benefit WING. Don’t forget to take a guess at the number of actual Birdies shot at the Classic for a chance to win many prizes, including a 2 year lease of a new Lexus! Good luck and thank you in advance for supporting WING and Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve!

05/18/2026

Prairie Event

Don't forget our fish sale pickup is this Friday at the fairgrounds 1pm. And join us Monday for our prairie walk!

05/08/2026

It's time for another Art Auction Fundraiser! Thank you to Ron Hunt for donating this beauty to benefit WING's Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve. He calls it Through The Tunnel because of the tunnel of trees lining the road. It is at the corner of 230th Ave. and the Alexis 8-mile blacktop, going west, right by the Mosher Cemetery. It is watercolor, framed by Frameworks, and is 27 1/2 x 20 1/2" Bidding will start at $15. Put your bid in the Comments on our page (the official Page for Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve. While you are there, Like the Page to get updates. Bidding will close on May 17 at midnight.

04/21/2026

Guided Wildflower Hikes resume Saturday May 16, 2026 at 9am, meeting at the parking lot. They will continue on the first and third Saturdays of the month through early fall. Check here for weather cancellations or changes to an alternate location occassionally.

04/18/2026

It's time for another Art Auction Fundraiser! Thank you to Ron Hunt for donating this beauty to benefit WING's Blackthorn Hill Nature Preserve. This is a watercolor, framed by Frameworks, 29" x 22". It is called the new corcrib as it was the new one Dad had built in about 1961 to replace the old one.
Bidding will start at $15. Put your bid in the Comments below. Bidding will close on May 3 at midnight. Like, Comment, and Share please!

11/16/2025

It was a great day for seed collection at our prairie! Thanks to these great volunteers! Special thanks to Tony for all of his great experience and knowledge! Lots of new Master Naturalists in these photos!