Silver Creek
The Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve is located directly south of the town of Leaf River in northern Ogle County.
Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve
This Preserve, acquired by the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society in 2012, protects almost 50 acres – of which 35 are wooded. It includes an oak-hickory forest which is a globally rare natural community type. The Silver Creek brochure contains more details and trail maps, or download the trail map .
To date, more than 300 species have been documented on the Preserve including over 100 bird species and over 150 plant species. See our 2024 Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve Species List
What Will You See?
Within the Preserve’s forested area, wetlands and two branches of spring-fed Silver Creek provide habitat for many species of native plants and animals, the Red-headed Woodpecker – a “critical species” in the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan.
The remaining 15 acres of the Silver Creek Preserve are warm season grass cover and acres of planted pollinating oak savannah habitat.
FIND US:
The Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve is located directly south of Leaf River on the southwestern corner of the intersection of Leaf River and West Grove Roads.
The parking area is just south of the intersection, on the west side of Leaf River Rd.
Interactive Google map
Why Is This Called a “Biodiversity Preserve?”
The term biodiversity refers to the variety of biological units in the area. Both Northwest Illinois Audubon Society Preserves have many local populations of native species to build from. Our stewardship activities on each Preserve revolve around creating conditions to expand these local populations. As we become more familiar with each preserve, we are discovering more and more native species waiting for our loving touch.
How Can You Help?
Donations to help sustain Silver Creek are always welcome.
Please visit both of our preserves and join our Society if you’d like to get the bimonthly newsletter and stay well informed.
The History of the
Silver Creek Preserve
In 2012, the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society was given the Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve by Mrs. Joanne Tarbox Styles, a former elementary teacher for the Leaf River school district.
In 1942, Joanne and her husband Hascy purchased this property, and Joanne took her students there on field trips at the end of each school year. When her husband Hascy had passed away in 1991, Joanne wanted to make sure that the land they loved so much was preserved in perpetuity. A conservation easement held by the Natural Land Institute has been placed on the property to ensure it will remain protected forever. At Mrs. Styles request, the protected natural area had been named Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve: Tarbox Unit, in memory of Hascy Tarbox, who was a professional wildlife artist.
In honor of Mrs. Styles, who had passed away in 2016, the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society strives to continue her devotion to teaching young people about the natural world by maintaining both community and school educational opportunities here.
Contact us if you’d like to help.
The Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve – Tarbox Unit is especially exciting, not only for what it is, but also for the opportunity to work toward the dream of Joanne Tarbox Styles. Joanne hoped that the land could one day become a nature preserve where people could go to learn about the creatures which are found in its various habitats. As we work toward reestablishing the pre-settlement landscape, that wish will be fulfilled and expanded.”