Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve
On your visit to Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve you can connect with nature. Relax on a creek-side bench, explore a variety of natural habitats, or join us in restoration activities. Hike around, watch for birds, listen for frogs, take pictures, and just relax. The Elkhorn Creek brochure contains more details and trail maps, or downloadjust the trail map .
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What Will You See?
Although relatively small in size, the Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve contains an impressive variety of geologic and hydrologic features and their associated plant communities.
Situated over a small series of geologic faults, the Preserve features outcroppings of both St. Peter sandstone and Ordovician-age dolomite. These geological differences result in the presence of both acid- and alkaline-wetlands – adding greatly to the area’s biodiversity. Additional wetland features include sedge meadows, a small brook, and a portion of the Preserve’s namesake, Elkhorn Creek.
Several remnant hillside prairies can be found at the Preserve, with Little Bluestem the dominant grass. Various forbs (prairie wildflowers) are present as well. The woodland component of the preserve includes oak savannah areas as well as a bit of floodplain forest.
FIND US:
The Preserve is located about three miles southwest of Forreston, Illinois, in northwestern Ogle County. It is at the intersection of West Grove and Freeport Roads on the southeast corner. The parking area is accessed from West Grove Road.
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How Can You Help?
Donations to help sustain Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve 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 Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve
The land of the Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve was purchased from a local family in 1999 by the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society in partnership with the Prairie Preservation Society of Ogle County. In 2010, the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society acquired full ownership of the Preserve in a transaction that assisted the Prairie Preservation Society in their purchase of a valuable prairie remnant, the Sand Ridge Prairie.
Our Society’s full ownership was made possible by a generous bequest from the estate of Clarence Mitchell. Since the original purchase, extensive volunteer effort has been invested in the preservation and restoration of this unique piece of Illinois biodiversity.
The Preserve is open to all visitors anytime during daylight hours. Permitted activities include hiking, bird watching, nature photography, frog listening, and botanizing. Horses, dogs, bikes and off-road vehicles are not allowed.
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 upon. 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.
We like to get up early to be with true friends and to be outdoors. We like to be doing something that apologizes to Mother Nature!”
When was the last time you walked a prairie path, feeling the warm sun on your shoulders and laughing as you worked alongside others, sharing stories, or just alone with your thoughts? Lost in the feel of your morning work? You follow this with a shared breakfast over long conversation with the day still ahead of you as you head home. You can’t beat it! As with most volunteer efforts, it’s not what you give, but what you gain.”
Kara Gallup, Volunteer
I love the hilly, open character of the land, as well as the sheltered creek-side nooks. Work or play, I enjoy every minute at Elkhorn Creek; the place really fills me up.”
Mary Blackmore, Volunteer