H & B Bremer Wildlife Sanctuary

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Through the vision and generosity of two sisters, descendants of original 1850 settlers, a century-old farm is now devoted to the preservation and protection of wildlife, both flora and fauna, and the land's natural resources. The silo is a landmark along the trails at H & B Bremer Wildlife Sanctuary The H & B Bremer Wildlife Sanctury is an excellent example of the transition zone between the flat prairie province to the north and the rolling plain to the south. It provides a sustainable habitat for a great diversity of plant and animal communities. The sanctuary is the home site of one of the county's early pioneers, William Henry Bremer, who came in 1850 to this country from Hanover, Germany. He brought with him his family and a desire to continue his agricultural pursuits. He purchased by Land Grant 50 acres, built a home and there raised his family of five children. In 1885, John Henry Bremer, Sr., bought by Land Grant, the adjacent land, bordered on the east by his father's farm. Ten years later the farm comprised 300 acres of highly improved land including a handsome residence with all the modern conveniences. When John's son, Henry, died in 1976, he left his farm to his two daughters, Helen and Betty Bremer. They, with their strong love of the land of their ancestors, dedicated their energies to the conservation and protection of wildlife and the land's natural resources. They decided that the Illinois Audubon Society was the best organization to maintain their ideas of preservation and protection at their demise. In 1980, the Illinois Audubon Society gave the Bremer Sanctuary its charter, now known as Hickory Hills Chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society. Since that time much of the property has been essentially undisturbed. Nature is erasing signs of human disturbance as the land gradually returns to its pre-settlement state. In 1982 Betty died and Helen inherited her holdings. Helen maintained an active interest in the chapter until her death in 1999. The H & B Bremer Sanctuary is one of only six Audubon Society wildlife sanctuaries in Illinois. It is maintained entirely by Hickory Hill Chapter members and volunteers, who annually host spring and autumn open houses in addition to welcoming students and Scouts on field trips. There are presently eight marked walking trails in the sanctuary. Bluebird Trail with its 45 bluebird houses, Timber Trail, White Oak Trails 1 and 2, Pipeline Trail, Wetlands Trail, Prairie Trail and Turkey Trail. The barn serves as the meeting spot for Hickory Hills Chapter IAS. The chapter continues to make improvements. A concrete floor was recently poured inside the original barn, which is used as the chapter's meeting hall and education center. A handi-cap accessible restroom building was added this year. The sanctuary can be reached by traveling 3/4 mile north out of Hillsboro on the North Road, then turning west (left) onto the first of two adjacent roads. Follow the lower road uphill past one house (on the left) until it dead ends at a parking lot in front of the barn. Due to the nature of the area there is no smoking, no campfires, no pets except on leash, no all-terrain vehicles. Hunting, trapping and alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Courtesy of The Montgomery County News