Agencies
Services
Land and Water Reserve Area
5
County
Christian
Location
The site is located at the southwestern limits of Pana along a former railroad line and right-of-way. Country Road 2375 is along the western border and the northern border is close to the boundary between the Southern Till Plain Division and the Springfield Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division.
Description
Anderson Prairie Land and Water Reserve contains several patches of high-quality prairie remnants which range from wet-mesic to dry-mesic. Dominant species include big bluestem grass and Indian grass. Scattered throughout the higher quality prairie patches are northern dropseed, lead plant, cream wild indigo, white prairie clover, purple prairie clover, New Jersey tea, downy gentian, and green milkweed. Amongst the high-quality prairie is early successional woodland dominated by shingle oak. There is also degraded prairie, which serves as a buffer for the higher quality areas, but also has high potential for restoration. A total of 300 plant species, including a population of a state-threatened plant, 56 butterfly species, 72 bird species, 24 mammal species, 4 amphibian species, and 11 reptile species have been observed on site.
Ownership
Pana Community Unit School District #8
Natural Division
Effingham Plain Section of the Southern Till Plain Natural Division (#9a)
Registered
May 1999
Size
13 acres
Access
The site is open to the public. The Native Illinois Tallgrass Butterfly house is open from June to September. Opening and closing dates for the butterfly house can vary. To learn more, go to the Tallgrass Butterfly House Facebook or contact David Nance (217) 370-9457 for specific dates and times of operation.
Topographic Quad
Pana & Oconee
For Further Information
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686
DNR.INPC@illinois.gov