Agencies
Services
Nature Preserve Area
9
County
Union
Location And Access
From Jonesboro take Highway 127/146 west 1 mile. The preserve is on the south side of the road.
Description
Shale barren communities are very rare in Illinois. This barren remnant is located on an outcrop of Springville Shale in Union County. The trees of this site are dwarfed and open grown, particularly post oak. Blackjack oak, white oak, shingle oak, and red oak also occur at this site. Little bluestem is the most common grass in the understory which is naturally depauperate due to the dry conditions of the site. Curly muhly grass is common in the barrens.
Ownership
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Dedicated
August 1989
Size
28.8 acres
Topographic Quad
Jonesboro
Topo Map
For Further Information
Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Biologist, Ferne Clyffe State Park, P.O. Box 67, Goreville, IL 62939 (618/995-2568)