Agencies
Services
Nature Preserve Area
5
County
Cass
Location And Access
From Arenzville, take road toward Beardstown north-northeast and north 3.6 miles to junction of E. Hagener Road, then turn and go east 1.6 miles, then turn and go north 0.8 mile, then turn and go east 1 mile. This last 1 mile is a dirt road that is not passable in wet weather. Visitors may have to walk part of this last mile. The nature preserve is south of the road.
Description
The Illinois River Sand Area, like other sand areas in Illinois, was once characterized by numerous marshes and sand ponds. Most of these areas have been greatly altered, but this one is relatively undisturbed. Pond and shrub swamp are the primary plant communities. The shrub swamp contains buttonbush and willows which exist in a dense 10 to 20 foot zone around the periphery of the pond. Duckweed, a floating aquatic plant, and numerous submerged aquatic plants characterize the pond community.
Ownership
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Dedicated
June 1985
Size
45.7 acres nature preserve, 11.3 acres buffer
Topographic Quad
Arenzville East
Topo Map
For Further Information
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, District Natural Heritage Biologist, 700 S. 10th Street, Havana, Illinois 62644 (309-543-3262).