Agencies
Services
Nature Preserve Area
10
County
La Salle
Location And Access
From the Intersection of US 51 and a county road at the north end of Tonica, take the county road east 0.5 mile until the road angles to the northeast. Follow this road 1.25 mile to a county road. Turn north on this road and go 1.75 mile. The preserve is on the east side of the road.
Description
This nature preserve contains young forest, bluffs and streams typical of sites near the Vermilion River in the Grand Prairie Section. Some excellent examples of eroding bluff plant communities may be seen here. Over seventy-five species of flowering herbaceous plants have been identified in the preserve including forked aster and bottle gentian. Deer, beaver and red fox are also known to inhabit the area. This preserve is named in memory of Margery Carlson, who was instrumental in protecting the area, formerly known as Big Bend Nature Preserve. Carlson was a founder of the Illinois chapter of The Nature Conservancy, serving the chapter as its first secretary and later as trustee.
Ownership
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Dedicated
June 1976; addition June 1978
Size
234.34 acres with buffer
Topographic Quad
La Salle
Topo Map
For Further Information
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Biologist, Jubilee College State Park, 13921 West Route 150, Brimfield, IL 61517 (309/446-9181), or Site Superintendent, Starved Rock State Park, Box 116, Utica, IL 61373 (815/667-4726)