Conservation Group Purchased Southern Illinois Land

The land acquisition unlocks public access to the Orient Bottoms State Fish and Wildlife Area.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in National Parks

Screen-print poster illustration of a wooden footpath entering a lush forest, representing public land access. — The Conservation Fund acquired 346 acres in southern Illinois, establishing a vital public pathway to the Orient Bottoms State Fish and Wildlife Area. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Conservation Fund has purchased 346 acres of land in southern Illinois to secure a necessary route for public entry. This acquisition aims to open the Orient Bottoms State Fish and Wildlife Area, which has been inaccessible to the public since 2024.

Why it matters

The purchase effectively resolves long-standing access issues that have prevented visitors from entering the state-managed wildlife area. It serves as a vital bridge to allow public use of the protected habitat for the first time in years.

The Conservation Fund acquired 346 acres to provide an entrance for the 1,728-acre Orient Bottoms State Fish and Wildlife Area. The state facility has remained closed since the Illinois Department of Natural Resources acquired it in 2024.

The players

The Conservation Fund

This national nonprofit organization works to protect land and water through conservation acquisitions and sustainable programs.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

This state agency is responsible for managing Illinois' natural and recreational resources, including state parks and wildlife areas.

The details

This strategic acquisition establishes a legal pathway into the 1,728-acre state property, which the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) obtained in 2024 but could not open due to landlocked status. The newly secured acreage will eventually facilitate expanded public opportunities for hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation across the region.

The Illinois DNR acquired the Orient Bottoms property in 2024.
The site has remained closed to the public since 2024.

Travel Outlook

This acquisition follows a pattern of land trusts stepping in to resolve access gaps within state-managed recreational properties. It marks a departure from the restricted access status that has characterized the site since the 2024 closure of Orient Bottoms State Fish and Wildlife Area.

Potential visitors should monitor updates from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources regarding the eventual reopening of the wildlife area. Once official public access is granted, the site will support new local opportunities for hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation.

The takeaway

This land purchase highlights the importance of strategic partnerships between private conservation groups and state agencies in improving public land access. Residents and outdoor enthusiasts should keep an eye on official state updates to learn when the new pathways will be open for recreational use.