From prairie restoration and bird habitat to Indigenous cultural preservation and public trails, a Jo Daviess County organization is protecting landscapes and connecting people with nature on scenic terrain.

Leaves of history: A former church in Leaf River now protects the town’s memories. Inside, its dedicated volunteers preserve photos, artifacts and stories that refuse to fade.

The preservation of natural areas has become a winning mission in Winnebago County, where there are more than 40 places to get away and enjoy the flora and fauna thrive – in forests, wetlands and along the county's winding rivers.

A Dixon man brings calm, ceremony and Percheron horses to make wedding days unforgettable with each trot and clack on the Mane Street pavement.

At Nomia Meadows Farm in Franklin Grove, John and Lisa Ayers tend to bees, apples and 110 acres of native ground, welcoming visitors into the full-circle quiet of their prairie sanctuary.

Nostalgia overload: Wind through the hills of northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin, from Scales Mound to Lead Mine, and there are scenic views and a time warp back to life – in the form of old-time stores and taverns – from many decades ago.

A familiar Memorial Day tradition has found new life in Mount Carroll. MooFest returns with four days of music, food and games, all while supporting local nonprofits and bringing the community back together for a weekend that feels like home.

It starts with a camera and turns into something bigger for Dixon High School students who are stepping behind the scenes to produce live broadcasts. They're finding confidence, solving problems and reaching audiences far beyond their town.

By day, Ryan Jandrey works with bodies. By night, he studies faces. He's chasing through portrait art something most people miss – faces, structure, and the fine line between likeness and feeling.