Franklin Creek Conservation Association (FCCA)
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As the “friends” group to the Franklin Creek State Natural Area, Franklin Creek Conservation Association operates the Grist Mill as the Welcome and Education Center of Franklin Creek with current activities, temporary and permanent exhibits. FCCA hosts both regularly scheduled and special events from April through October.
Something interesting is always on the Calendar (link to calendar) on Saturday mornings when visitors can join in a nature walk or participate in stewardship activities to improve the quality and bio-diversity of the natural area. A variety of Special Events pepper the season with everything from educational workshops, to corn grinding, to Evenings at the Mill, to the Singing Bird Chautauqua, a Fall Family Festival to youth activity days. |
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FCCA owns and restores land to eventually add to the State Natural Area. Today 107 acres are under our stewardship thanks to private donations and grants from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. Ongoing land restoration and new public amenities are improving the outdoor experience for visitors with: a new pollinator prairie, wetland and butterfly garden, weed tree and bush removal, high-quality seed plantings, trails that connect previously separate parts of the park, and educational signs. In addition, FCCA continues to help improve the State Natural Area—most recently supporting construction of the contemplative signage, trail, and sculpture that are part of the Husar Memorial.
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FCCA CREATES NEW
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Special projects also support our mission. Project 1480, named for its location at 1480 Old Mill Road, is a case in point. When FCCA purchased this foreclosed property in December 2017, surrounded on three sides by the park, the home and garage on this property were derelict and falling apart. The land, including the flood zone for the creek, was full of trash. Volunteers have begun cleaning up the property and renovating the house and garage. The house will be used as a community space and will house a new youth program on the ground level and provide lodging for staff and interns on the upper floors. The garage will store stewardship equipment. The undeveloped land at 1480 will be restored by FCCA and eventually sold to the State to incorporate into the Natural Area.
All of these activities are possible because of volunteers. You too can help! Please visit our list of Volunteer Opportunities and check our Calendar regularly for land stewardship and Project 1480 work days. |
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FCCA HISTORY
For years the Franklin Creek has been a favorite local recreation site. In 1970, Mrs. Winifred Knox donated 100 acres of land for wildlife preservation that her pioneer ancestors had settled. Through the 1970s, the Natural Land Institute purchased additional properties as they became available. Franklin Grove area citizens, wanting to see the Franklin Creek area protected, organized in 1981 to form the Franklin Creek Conservation Association. FCCA is mostly a volunteer-run organization with seasonal-paid employees. When formed, FCCA was the first volunteer organization in the state to improve the idle state-owned land for park purposes through volunteer efforts. Of the 125 state parks and natural areas in Illinois there are only 35 volunteer "friends groups" in existence. |
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