Agencies
Services
Land and Water Reserve Area
6
County
Douglas
Location
The site is in the south-central part of Walnut Point State Park approximately 20 miles northeast of Charleston and 3 miles north of Oakland. It is in the southeast portion of the Grand Prairie Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division, adjacent to both the Embarras River and Upper Embarras Woods Nature Preserve.
Description
Upper Embarras Woods Land and Water Reserve contains mature old growth forest that is part of the Walnut Point Natural Area recognized by the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI #0039) as an outstanding remnant of pre-European settlement forest. Together with Upper Embarras Woods Nature Preserve, the sites comprise a large forest habitat that supports forest-interior bird species that are sensitive to fragmentation and require large blocks of forest to breed. The forest additionally provides habitat for over 200 types of native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and other plants. The site also protects the Embarras River, a river recognized by the INAI as a biologically significant stream that provides important habitat for at least five species of state-threatened or endangered mussels. Protecting the forest in its natural condition contributes to the high natural quality by reducing runoff and sediments entering the river.
Ownership
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Natural Division
Grand Prairie Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division (#4a)
Registered
October 2002
Size
100 acres
Access
The site is open to the public for bird watching and hiking.
Topographic Quad
Oakland
For Further Information
Visit the State Park Website or Contact the INPC
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686
DNR.INPC@illinois.gov