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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!