Indian Creek babbles through the Camp Tuckabatchee property, just outside of Ottawa and Wedron, and now protected through a conservation easement.
Vice President of Land and Watershed Programs at The Conservation Foundation is just one of many hats Jennifer Hammer wears in the world of conservation. But it was the hat someone else was wearing that ultimately led to the permanent protection of 194 acres at a LaSalle County nature camp, finalized just a couple of weeks ago. Jennifer and her husband Ed give much of their free time as stewards with the Cook County Forest Preserve District, and, at one of their work days three years ago, Jennifer noticed a fellow volunteer wearing a Camp Tuckabatchee hat. Camp Tuckabatchee, located almost 100 miles from where Jennifer and the volunteer were standing that day, was familiar to Jennifer through her land preservation work with The Conservation Foundation, as it had been identified as natural land whose protection should be priority in a 2012 land conservation plan for the Lower Fox River. But she wondered how in the world this volunteer she was working with several counties away would know of it. As it turns out, her Camp Tuckabatchee-repping friend had a long history with the camp, beginning in her youth as a camper there, and continuing through adolescence and adulthood as a camp counselor, volunteer, and donor. She shared with Jennifer that the camp had recently fallen on hard times, reeling from the passing of their Executive Director and trying to find a way forward.
Camp Tuckabatchee is a summer youth camp dedicated to enriching the lives of children through nature and the camp experience. This independent camp has been in operation for almost 100 years and provides transformative outdoor education to develop an understanding of and an appreciation for nature in area youth. As mentioned, this property appeared as a high priority in the 2012 Lower Fox River Land Conservation plan. The Conservation Foundation was in touch at that time with Camp Tuckabatchee’s then-director, who was very interested in pursuing the preservation of the property, but neither organization could bring the needed funding to fruition. But the camp director saved The Conservation Foundation’s contact information, which was found a few years ago by a board member after the director’s unfortunate passing. Thanks to that brochure, tucked away in a drawer, the board member was familiar with The Conservation Foundation when Jennifer called looking to revive the preservation conversation.
Conversations were indeed revived, and, with a large grant package from another partner, The Conservation Fund, as well as support from the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, and private and corporate donations, the $455,000 needed to put a conservation easement in place on 194 of Camp Tuckabatchee’s 210 acres was raised. Just a mile away from Belrose Farm and a few miles from the Dayton Bluffs Preserve, both of which are owned and being restored by The Conservation Foundation, Camp Tuckabatchee has just become an impactful addition to a vital natural corridor of preserved habitat and natural beauty.
The conservation easement put in place, which is a legal document and designation that will follow the property even if it were sold and prevent it from being developed, protects the rich ecological and geological features of this remarkably intact high-quality natural landscape. Located along Indian Creek, the Camp Tuckabatchee property features a Class B seep, oak savanna, sandstone bluffs along the creek corridor, and remnant prairie with more than 200 plant species recorded so far, including several threatened and endangered species. Crooked Leg Creek, a tributary to Indian Creek, also meanders right through the middle of the camp complex. Both the camp and The Conservation Foundation, who holds the easement and will monitor it going forward, hope to have qualifying portions of the property designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve in the future, as well as to provide joint educational programming, ecological restoration work, and events to provide the public an opportunity to enjoy this remarkable place.
RJ Swett, Executive Director of Camp Tuckabatchee, said this about the process of putting the conservation easement in place with The Conservation Foundation, “The experience highlighted a strong working dynamic, and we’re excited to build on this momentum. We look forward to advancing the improvement of the natural habitat while supporting thoughtful and shared use of the area. Together, this collaboration lays the groundwork for healthier ecosystems and expanded opportunities for our communities.”
Camp Tuckabatchee will retain private ownership of the property, and these funds will assist them to continue to operate and expand their camp programming. It’s a true success story for nature, and for the past, present, and future campers who do or will carry happy memories of their time at Camp Tuckabatchee, the friendships made, and their deeper connection with nature throughout their lives.
“The combination of preserving this incredibly special place for generations to come and doing it in a way that also preserves the operations of this Camp is a big win for kids and conservation. Through this three-year process we have built a strong relationship with the staff and board of ‘Camp Tuck’ and we are excited about partnering in new ways in the future,” reflected Jennifer. “Who ever would have thought the hat worn by a volunteer would lead to $455,000 in funding and the preservation of a true natural gem! Quite the valuable fashion choice she made that day, and I’m so grateful to have been in the right place to see it, to our funders, and to our donors for making it possible for us to see this project through many challenges.”
Camp Tuckabatchee starts with one simple idea: kids grow best when they’re outside, unplugged, and surrounded by caring adults. Since 1927, this independent summer youth camp just outside Ottawa, Illinois has been enriching the lives of children through nature, friendship, and the classic camp experience. Camp Tuckabatchee summer camp sessions for 2026 are registering now! Visit www.camptuckabatchee.org to learn more and get the youth in your life signed up for an unforgettable outdoor experience.
Striking sandstone cliffs line Indian Creek through Camp Tuckabatchee.