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Here’s how you can support the White Rock expansion project
Clifftop NFP has launched a major fundraising campaign to support the expansion of its White Rock Nature Preserve to nearly three times its current size.
The multimillion-dollar purchase of 965 acres of upland forests, hill prairies, and limestone glades would not have been possible without the financial help of our nonprofit partners, the Illinois Audubon Society, The Conservation Fund and the Prairie State Conservation Coalition, plus other private donors. See the full press release here.
Now we need your financial help.
Our goal is to raise at least $200,000 in additional donations from people like you to help pay for Clifftop’s share of the acquisition cost and restoration work, such as removing invasive plants and restoring hill prairies and limestone glades.
The Conservation Fund will own the property until December 2027, when it will transfer ownership to Clifftop. This nearly two-year transition period gives Clifftop time to raise its full share of the acquisition cost before we fully assume financial and stewardship responsibilities in perpetuity.
That’s where you come in. Your financial donation would help Clifftop reach its goal. And if you are not already a member of Clifftop, joining our all-volunteer, nonprofit organization would help, too.
We’ll tell you how to donate and become Clifftop members in a moment.
But first, we’d like to briefly explain why your financial support is a worthy investment.
Why the White Rock expansion project is important
Clifftop has a 20-year track record of protecting and conserving land in the Mississippi River bluffs corridor of southwestern Illinois. Today, as we mark our 20th anniversary, we own and care for three nature preserves: Storment-Hauss Nature Preserve on Reed Road with a Red Bud address; Paul Wightman Subterranean Nature Preserve on G Road with a Fults address; and White Rock Nature Preserve off Bluff Road with a Valmeyer address.
The White Rock expansion will protect an additional 965 acres of ecologically rich, upland forest habitats. The site is home to 19 threatened and endangered species of plants and animals, including the northern long-eared bat, the cerulean warbler, Missouri orange coneflower, crested coralroot orchid, and climbing milkweed, which are abundant on the property.
The land is also part of the Mississippi Flyway, an important migratory route for more than 60% of North America’s birds. Migrating birds use the forests and prairies on the property to refuel and rest. And many birds make their home there for at least part of the year.
The newly acquired property, like the White Rock Nature Preserve, is part of what is known as the Hill Prairie Corridor in the Mississippi blufflands. Blufftop hill prairies are rare in Illinois, and conservationists are working urgently to protect these unique, sensitive ecosystems. There are 16 hill prairies and limestone glades on the new property.
With the additional acreage, White Rock will grow from about 575 to 1,540 acres, once it is incorporated into the nature preserve system. In the meantime, there is much work ahead for Clifftop members and volunteers, from removing invasive species and restoring prairies to creating a master plan for the expanded White Rock Nature Preserve.
But first, we have to raise funds for the expansion.
What you can do to help
You can make a tax-deductible donation by check, payable to Clifftop NFP, and send it to Clifftop, P.O. Box 131, Maeystown, IL 62256.
Or you can make your donation through Clifftop’s PayPal Giving Fund account by clicking on the “Donate” button at the bottom of this page. There is no transaction fee, so your entire donation will go directly to Clifftop.
If you aren’t a Clifftop member, joining the organization is a great way to contribute to the cause, through your membership fees and stewardship work. You can sign up by clicking here and following the instructions.
You can find out more about Clifftop and its White Rock project on Thursday, May 7, at Hopskeller Brewing Company’s “Dine Out for Clifftop” event. Hopskeller is donating a portion of the dinner proceeds to Clifftop. You can also try some of Hopskeller’s newest brew, White Rock Ale, created exclusively for Clifftop. Hopskeller Brewing Company is located at 116 East Third Street, in Waterloo. At 6:00 pm Clifftop President, Bob Weck, will be available to discuss details of this project and answer any questions you might have. We thank Hopskeller Brewing Company for its generosity and support.
And we thank you all for considering a financial contribution toward the White Rock expansion project and joining us on our mission to protect and preserve the region’s precious natural lands. We are so grateful for your help.
If you have any questions about the White Rock expansion project or anything else involving Clifftop, please feel free to contact us at cliffmbr@htc.net.
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