Agencies
Services
Nature Preserve Area
4
County
Hancock
Location And Access
From Hamilton at jct. Hwys. 96 & 136, take Hwy. 136 west and southwest 1.3 miles to jct. with blacktop road going south, then turn and go south-southwest 3.7 miles. The nature preserve is south of the road. Special Note: Access is by permission only and no trails have been developed.
Description
Mississippi River Sand Hills lies within the Glaciated Section of the Middle Mississippi Border Natural Division. The area is characterized by deeply dissected river bluffs, with sand hills rising 40 feet above the surrounding land. The slopes of the sand hills support upland forest dominated by post oak, black oak and hickory. A small dry prairie exists in a small opening at the top of the hill. Little bluestem is the dominant grass species, while associated forbs include blazing star, tick clover and lespedeza. The preserve is managed as part of Western Illinois University's Kibbe Life Science Station and is used primarily for research purposes.
Ownership
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Dedicated
December 1972
Size
45 acres
Topographic Quad
Warsaw
Topo Map
For Further Information
Director, Kibbe Life Science Station, WIU, Warsaw, IL 62379 (217/256-4583) or Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Biologist, Route 106 West, Pittsfield, IL 62363 (217/285-2221)