Mississippi River Sand Hills Nature Preserve

Hancock County

Location and Access:

From Hamilton at jct. Hwys. 96 & 136, take Hwy. 136 west and southwest 1.3 miles to jct. with blacktop road going south, then turn and go south-southwest 3.7 miles. The nature preserve is south of the road.

Special Note: Access is by permission only and no trails have been developed.

Description:

Mississippi River Sand Hills lies within the Glaciated Section of the Middle Mississippi Border Natural Division. The area is characterized by deeply dissected river bluffs, with sand hills rising 40 feet above the surrounding land. The slopes of the sand hills support upland forest dominated by post oak, black oak and hickory. A small dry prairie exists in a small opening at the top of the hill. Little bluestem is the dominant grass species, while associated forbs include blazing star, tick clover and lespedeza. The preserve is managed as part of Western Illinois University's Kibbe Life Science Station and is used primarily for research purposes.

Ownership: Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Dedicated: December 1972

Size: 45 acres

Topo Map: Warsaw 7.5

For Further Information Contact: Director, Kibbe Life Science Station, WIU, Warsaw, IL 62379 (217/256-4583) or Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Biologist, Route 106 West, Pittsfield, IL 62363 (217/285-2221)

1/2009 - R. Heidorn