Located about 60 miles southeast of Chicago, the Kankakee Sands region is named for its sandy soils deposited long ago by glacial run-off. Since the mid-1990s, The Nature Conservancy has conserved more than 8,000 acres of prairie, savanna, and marshlands in Newton County, Indiana. From the secretive state-endangered Henslow’s Sparrow to herds of majestic bison, Kankakee Sands supports a dazzling variety of plants and animals.

The Friends of the Sands is dedicated to raising awareness and appreciation of this unique ecoregion. We support on-going conservation work by hosting volunteer work days, hiking events, and a native plant sale. We welcome all ages and abilities at our events. Children and families are especially encouraged to attend!