Agencies
Services
Nature Preserve Area
6
County
Champaign
Location And Access
From the north edge of Gifford, take Hwy. 136 east for 3.8 mi., then turn and go north on blacktop road for 3.0 mi. The preserve is 0.6 mi. east of the road. Special Note: Access to the preserve is poor. Prior permission is required from the Champaign County Forest Preserve District for access.
Description
Although Tomlinson Pioneer Cemetery is called a prairie, the natural community present is more accurately termed a dry-mesic savanna. Large, open grown bur oak and shingle oak are the dominant trees, while big bluestem and Indian grass dominate the groundcover. Typical prairie wildflowers such as leadplant and shooting star occur along with characteristic savanna plants including starry campion, wild quinine, hazelnut, and catbrier. The natural area, located on sand and gravel outwash, occupies a gently sloping ridge above the Middlefork of the Vermilion River. This preserve is one of only two savannas protected as nature preserves in the Grand Prairie Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division. Tomlinson Cemetery was originally established as a family burial ground and burials date from 1846 to 1945.
Ownership
Champaign County Board
Dedicated
September 1985
Size
1.0 acres
Topographic Quad
Penfield
Topo Map
For Further Information
Director of Natural Resources, Champaign County Forest Preserve District, P.O. Box 1040, Mahomet, Illinois 61853; (217) 586-4389.