Dominican Sisters’ commitment protects 164 acres in perpetuity
Springfield, Ill.—Finally—and forever—when Sister Sharon Zayac wakes to the sunrise over Jubilee Farm she can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that what she has been advocating for 23years is now accomplished.
In August 2023 the Dominican Sisters of Springfield entered into agreement with Sangamon Conservancy Trust to protect from development Jubilee Farm’s 164 acres of forest, wetlands, savannahs, and native Illinois flora.
The conservancy made the announcement in their fall 2023 newsletter.
"...we hope that our enduring partnership with the Sangamon Conservancy will enable us to honor the land and its earliest inhabitants forever by respecting the gift of the land and the beauty of all who live on it now.”
Jubilee Farm represents the commitment of the Dominican Sisters to embrace “as a moral imperative, the need to help restore wholeness to Creation,” the announcement read. “Our efforts to do that include honoring the integrity, stability, and beauty of the land and its inhabitants by working to restore Illinois native wildflowers and grasses; nursing a baby wetland; protecting wildlife habitat; refraining from using toxic chemicals; and offering opportunities for visitors to spend time on the land.”
“I wanted from the very beginning to assure the land was placed in a legal trust to protect it when it is time for us to pass it on to the next inhabitants,” Sister Sharon said. She directed the founding of Jubilee Farm on behalf of the congregation and continues to reside there.
The Dominican Sisters acquired the first 109 acres of what is now Jubilee Farm in 1999, and shortly after acquired another 2 acres. In 2016 they added 52 more acres of woodland on the east boundary.
“We are pleased to be in partnership with the Sangamon Conservancy and to share the common goal of protecting land, habitat, and the well-being of the environment in central Illinois,” said Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP, prioress general of the Springfield Dominican Sisters. “For less than a quarter-century we have had responsibility for these acres that were previously—for millennia—cared for by the indigenous people of our region. Our tenure on the land will be brief in comparison, but we hope that our enduring partnership with the Sangamon Conservancy will enable us to honor the land and its earliest inhabitants forever by respecting the gift of the land and the beauty of all who live on it now.”
Barb Mendenhall, a member of the Sangamon Conservancy board of trustees, said “The Sangamon Conservancy Trust is honored to help the Dominican Sisters of Springfield protect and preserve their Jubilee Farm forever through a conservation easement. This is a precious gem just a few miles west of Springfield worthy of protection from increasing urban expansion and commercial development. I truly believe that God guided the Dominican Sisters to our trust so their vision for this land could be fulfilled.”
A conservation easement is a voluntary, legal agreement that permanently limits uses of land in order to protect and conserve it in perpetuity. For now, and for the foreseeable future, the Dominican Sisters will continue to carry out their ministries at Jubilee Farm which include welcoming guests to hike, walk the labyrinth, and picnic; restoring and husbanding the land; offering lessons in fiber arts and holding craft programs for children. Individuals and groups are still welcome to rent the use of the Creative Arts Center and La Casa, Sister Sharon said.
Jubilee Farm is located on Old Jacksonville Road, 3.8 miles west of Veteran’s Parkway in Springfield. It is generally open 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday (until 4:00 p.m. during fall and winter), Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday noon to 7:00 p.m. (until 4:00 p.m. during fall and winter). For more information visit jubileefarm.info or call 217-787 6927.
How wonderful and congratulations! You know that Bill’s heart, soul and spirit is rejoicing with you. May God continue to bless you