Big Creek Woods Memorial

Nature Preserve

Richland County

Location and Access:

From Olney at jct. Hwys. 50 & 130, take Hwy. 130 south 2 mi. The nature preserve is east of Hwy. 130.

Description:

Big Creek Woods is located along a stream valley in a region with rolling topography and deep, productive soil. The bedrock, which outcrops in the stream bed and along some of the slopes and ravines, is of the Mattoon Formation of the Pennsylvanian System. The bedrock is overlain by Illinoian glacial till, and the till is overlain by 3-5 feet of loess. The plant communities present are dry and mesic upland forest and floodplain forest representative of the Mt. Vernon Hill Country Section of the Southern Till Plain Natural Division. At least 45 tree species exist in the preserve, the dominant species being white oak, shagbark hickory, and sugar maple. Sweetgum, sycamore, white ash and hackberry are common in the ravine bottoms. Herbaceous plant species include goat's beard, bloodroot, Christmas fern, and wild ginger.

Ownership: Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees

Dedicated: June 1970

Size: 40 acres

Topo Map: Olney 7.5

For Further Information Contact: Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees, 233 East Chestnut, Olney, IL 62450-2298 (618/393-2982)

1/2009 - R. Heidorn