Espie and Don Nelson display a framed award presented by Mike Redmer of the Chicago Illinois Field Office. The award included a commendation letter from Regional Director Robyn Thorson, who thanked the Nelsons for their commitment to restoring habitat for the Service's Trust Resources. - Photo by Wayne Fischer

Chicago Field Office staff were joined by a small group of colleagues and friends to honor the achievements of Don and Espie Nelson.  The gathering was held at the Nelsons' property along Lily Cache Creek, near Plainfield, Illinois. 

A framed award was presented to the Nelsons, followed by reading a letter of commendation to them from Regional Director Robyn Thorson.  The letter gave thanks on behalf of the Service to the Nelsons for their commitment to restoring habitat for trust resources, and for their participation in the Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program.

In 2003, the Nelsons acquired a farm field (which had belonged to Mrs. Nelson's family for many years) with the sole intent of restoring or enhancing native plant communities.  Shortly thereafter, they began restoring riparian wetland habitat along the immediate banks of Lily Cache Creek. 

The Nelsons' long-term goals for the site also included replacing an agricultural field with native vegetation, and they recognized the cost of seed and plant material would be high. They approached the Service in 2004 tabout cost-share opportunities. 

The Chicago Illinois Field Office used station funds and Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program funds to assist the Nelsons with invasive species control, and the purchase of native plants and seed. 

The Nelson's led a tour of the site for attendees at the July gathering, and pointed out many of the species they planted or seeded are now growing and establishing a colorful blanket of prairie wildflowers and grasses over what was once soybean field.

What makes the Nelson's remarkable is that, prior to taking on their own Lily Cache project, they were well-known and accomplished volunteer stewards.  Their contributions included many hundreds of hours logged at some of the highest-profile natural areas in the Chicago region, including Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve. 

They have remained active at all of these sites while starting the project on their own property.  One fellow volunteer and friend of the Nelsons who attended the gathering remarked that he "knows nobody more deserving of recognition than the Nelsons."