Susie and Don Meador of Carroll County, Illinois, are enthusiastic wildlife supporters, advocates for conservation, and believers in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Starting in the winter of 1999 with a habitat plan for 70 acres enrolled in the CRP, the couple has furthered the plan, providing permanent wildlife habitat protection through other programs, such as the Department of Natural Resource's Acres for Wildlife program.

Blocks of nearly 15,000 trees and shrubs scattered across 17 acres of land now provide a canopy of cover for quail and pheasants, and will eventually support populations of woodland wildlife. Re-established field borders and windbreaks hark back to earlier days when small agricultural fields were the norm. Several wetlands have been created, each with a surrounding Filter Strip of native prairie forbs and grasses.

Not willing to let the drive for habitat stop at the edge of their land, the Meadors have actively shared ideas, talents, equipment, storage facilities and land by hosting workshops for landowners and conservationists on the their property.

It's no wonder that Susie and Don Meador were recognized as the 2004 Illinois Wildlife Landowner of the Year for their relentless drive to develop their land through CRP and other programs according to their Acres for Wildlife plan.

Susie and Don Meador were recognized for their relentless efforts to develop their land according to a wildlife habitat plan.

Landowners Susie and Don Meador and Scott Schaeffer, Illinois Department of Natural Resource Biologist, examine one of the many wildlife-friendly areas installed on their farm using CRP cost-share assistance.