Agencies
Services
Land and Water Reserve Area
4
County
Henderson
Location
The site is in the northwestern part of Henderson County, 6 miles northeast of Oquawka, within the southern part of the Big River State Forest.
Description
Harry N. Patterson Savanna Land and Water Reserve encompasses the entire Big River Illinois Natural Areas Inventory site (INAI #0158) which consists of Grade B dry-mesic sand prairie, Grade B dry sand prairie, Grade C ‘best-of-kind’ dry sand savanna, and dry-mesic sand savanna, as well as one state-listed snake and three listed plant species. The dry sand prairie is dominated by species such as little bluestem, June grass, sand love grass, porcupine grass, Patterson’s bindweed, and day flower. There are smaller patches of dry-mesic sand prairie located within the dry sand prairie. This community is dominated by taller grasses including big bluestem, little bluestem, sand love grass, and forbs such as spiderwort, showy goldenrod, and Indian hemp. The dry sand savanna makes up most of the site and is dominated by an overabundance of blackjack oak and black oak. Lastly, there is dry-mesic sand savanna in the lower elevations which dry out less frequently, dominated by blackjack and black oaks. There are also two successional fields and several small pine plantations within the reserve. A total of 37 species of birds have been identified utilizing the reserve during the breeding season, including a variety of grassland and savanna dependent birds. Characteristic sand prairie and savanna birds present at various times of the year include lark sparrow, grasshopper sparrow, red-headed woodpecker, loggerhead shrike, northern bobwhite, prairie racerunner, and eastern hognose snake. The site is named in honor of local botanical explorer Harry N. Patterson.
Ownership
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Natural Division
Mississippi River Section of the Illinois River and Mississippi River Sand Areas Natural Division (#6b)
Registered
May 2009
Size
540 acres
Access
The site is open to the public. Given the isolated location, it receives few visitors. The best time to visit the site is during the summer months, June to August, when the full spectrum of prairie wildflowers offers a colorful display. The parking lot is located on the North side of CR2500N in the southwest corner of the site.
Topographic Quad
Keithsburg & Oquawka
For Further Information
Visit the State Forest Website or Contact the INPC
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686
DNR.INPC@illinois.gov