Lind-McGeachie Preserve
Location: 6100 Fitzgerald Road, Rockford, IL 61102, parking lot available
Open to the public daily sunrise to sunset. Periodic trail closures apply. Thank you for cooperating with our pet-free policy. Trails through the woods and around the pollinator meadow are available for walking, snowshoeing or skiing. No motor vehicles or bicycles allowed.
Carbon Credits to offset Carbon Emissions
Businesses and Corporations interested in offsetting their carbon emissions with a public interest credit while giving back to their local community have the opportunity to do it right here in their local area with Lind-McGeachie Preserve. Read about buying
carbon credits here.
With the addition of the 36-acre Kenney property in spring 2023 and the addition of the 20-acre Clay Woods parcel in fall 2023 the Lind-McGeachie Preserve is now a 110-acre natural area located in southwest Rockford with Silver Creek meandering through it. It consists of primarily oak-hickory woodland and an 18-acre area of pollinator meadow. Three other tracts of land were acquired at different times: the Lind tract in 1987, the McGeachie tract in 1992, and a third section that includes the pollinator meadow in 2020.
NLI staff and volunteers have worked to remove invasive species, and plant native wildflowers, grasses, trees and shrubs to create a healthy natural habitat. Volunteer days are held here periodically, as needs arise.
Volunteers spread seeds in the old field that is now the 18-acre pollinator meadow in the late winter of 2023. In May of 2024 volunteers helped plant native trees in an open area to help close the gap between the woodland edges. In the summer of 2024, a derecho ripped through the southern part of Rockford and Winnebago County, impacting this preserve. Volunteers helped clear the parking lot and trails afterwards.
An open house was held in the fall of 2023 to launch its official opening to the public on a daily basis. The 2024 OAKtober Hike, held in October, featured guided hikes through the preserve to celebrate Oak Awareness Month in Illinois and to highlight the importance of the oak ecosystem at this preserve.
The woods after non-native invasive brush was cleared out by volunteers and staff. Photo: Alan Branhagen
Volunteers and staff spread native wildflower and grass seeds in an old field. Photo: Jill Kennay
The results of spreading native wildflower and grass seeds in the old field: an 18-acre pollinator meadow, supported by a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. Photo: Kim Johnsen
Volunteers plant native trees in an open area that will grow to close the gap between the woodland edges. Photo: Jill Kennay
Volunteers helped clear the parking lot and trails after a derecho storm in July 2024. Thank you to everyone who helped and put in many hours!
Alan Branhagen leads a tour at the public open house in the fall of 2023. Here is is talking about a white oak and the many trees found at this preserve. Photo: Rob Clark
Alan Branhagen (R) leads a tour during the fall 2024 OAKtober Hike. Photo: Jill Kennay
Trail Map
Directions
Address: 6100 Fitzgerald Rd., Rockford, IL 61102
