Rock River Peregrines Take Flight

Movement caught Will Gardner’s eye as he waited for volunteers from the Rock River Peregrines group to arrive. In a nearby grassy field, not far from the Ogle County remnant hilltop prairie, a large bird hunkered down. No ordinary bird, this was a peregrine falcon and one that had just caught her latest meal. Surely this would be a good omen for the second annual rendezvous of regional northern Illinois volunteer stewards to return to Stronghold Castle.

The idea for a weekend retreat focused on ecological restoration was born in 2025 after Stronghold board member Will Gardner connected with Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves through an introduction from Illinois Nature Preserves Commission Natural Areas Preservation Specialist Kaleb Baker whose region covers northwest Illinois. The Stronghold board was uncertain of their long-term plans for the 340 wooded acres with various ideas on developing the property to increase Stronghold’s visibility and accessibility to the community. Gardner had offered an alternative: could the land—recognized on the Natural Areas Inventory as a high-quality natural community—be dedicated as a nature preserve?

When he inquired about the possibility of a Friends group being interested in a workday there, Friends field rep Jessie Crow Mermel responded, “A restoration weekend where volunteers can stay in the castle? Yes, I think we’ll have interest!” Together, they formed a planning group with the Chicago-area Peregrines to help launch a new Peregrines group in the Rock River Valley, with the proposed Stronghold retreat serving as the catalyst for its formation.

That weekend, volunteers from across Ogle, Boone and Winnebago counties joined forces with a contingent of Chicago-area Peregrines for a brush-clearing bonanza, as well as site hikes, castle tours, shared meals, and the exchange of ideas for the future of the new group.

But the day’s impact extended even further. Chicago-area Peregrine volunteer Jonah Brame helped organize and mentor the new group: “This kind of retreat is a rare and special time for those of us involved in eco-restoration. Chatting with friends old and new on hikes, in bunk beds with the lights out…it’s the kind of quality fellowship time we don’t often have the opportunity for.”

Such networks deepen the reserves of determination and vision for the broader conservation culture as well.

“Out here, people are so spread out. It’s easy to feel alone in this work,” said Crow Mermel. “Community restores people. too. At the Stronghold weekend, you could look around and see that many people care and are ready to act – and you tap into the hope and impactfulness of this work.”

The Stronghold board, too, saw hope in the newly formed Peregrines group. That same day, the board was convened at a meeting that included a final vote on the Stronghold’s intention for the glacial drift hill prairie and its surrounding wilds. The board paused the meeting to visit the area in question, where the Peregrines volunteers were hard at work.

Gardner recalled, “It was like a miracle to witness – that a bunch of ‘strangers’ from across the state cared enough about this land to give their time to healing it. Suddenly, you could see what was possible there.”

When the issue came to a vote, the board unanimously resolved to pursue with the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission legally and permanently dedicating the hilltop prairie as an Illinois Nature Preserve, and registering the surrounding land as a Land and Water Reserve.

Now in their second year, the Peregrines of Rock River Valley have truly taken flight. Having learned through the wisdom and early mentorship of the Chicago Peregrines, the new group took the lead in planning and facilitating the March 2026 second annual Stronghold workday and retreat.

Ben King, one of the Rock River Peregrines who stepped up to a leadership role at the second restoration weekend, was among the 30 volunteers who dedicated a collective 200 hours of ecosystem care to the Stronghold hill prairie. “I loved going out in the woods and exploring, hunting for mushrooms, discovering,” he explained. “I also realized that I’m getting all this joy and meaning from being out in the wilderness, but I can’t take these places for granted. I want a chance to give back.”

Interested in getting involved? Join in! Email: peregrinesrrv@friendsilnature.org. The author appreciates the contributions to the story made by Jessie Crow Mermel and Jonah Brame.