The best kept secrets in Bureau County

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Bureau County Soil and Water Conservation District has some well-kept secrets in Bureau County for all to enjoy! As family budgets are being carefully watched, we want to remind the residents of Bureau County that we have some unique opportunities for nature enrichment right in their own county. Pack up the car and take a short drive to Warnecke Woods and enjoy the fall air with a relaxing walk through the woods. Trails are marked, wood-chipped and some with steep hills. There you can identify animal tracks and bird calls, do some leaf collecting, soak up the quietude, do spider sleuthing, count the different kinds of trees or have a nature scavenger hunt. Take the family picture in a natural setting!

Why are these natural areas the “Best Kept Secrets?” It is because they are not “public parks,” but natural areas designated for specific purposes. In the early 1970s, the BCSWCD started a program to acquire land for conservation and nature study. Currently, we have several natural land areas that were donated by conservation-minded landowners to BCSWCD. As part of the agreement of donation, landowners have stated exact usage guidelines that must be followed by caretakers (BCSWCD) and visitors alike.

As stewards of these natural areas, we feel the pressure of sagging funding from our governor. Like all Soil and Water Districts in Illinois, we are trying to make the most out of proceeds from wildflower, tree and fish sales. We appreciate your support! Without funding from the state for employee wages, though, there will be district offices in the state that will be forced to close. We have had to cut some of our programs but continue to offer educational programs that are generously funded by our local sponsors.

Most of our natural areas are open to the public, and we encourage all to enjoy their natural splendor and respect their diversity. Please give us a call if we can answer any questions or give exact directions, or need a guide or to obtain a permit. We can be reached at (815) 875-8732. So get out and enjoy the outdoors and remember to leave nothing behind but footprints!

The District’s natural land areas include:

Warnecke Woods

Acres: 28 acres

Deeded by: Mrs. Marie (Fred) Warnecke and her two daughters

Uses: Hiking, wildlife observation, environmental education

Public Access: Yes, parking available

Location: 41 1835 N. Avenue, Princeton Route 26 to Red Covered Bridge Road, west 1/8 mile to driveway/signage

Habitat: Old field, oak/hickory upland forest, bottomland forest

McCune Sand Prairie

Acres: 200 acres

Deeded by: University of Illinois (80 acres) and John D. and Mildred L. McCune (120 acres)

Uses: Environmental education, wildlife observation, cross-country skiing, hiking, primitive group camping by permit only.

Special Use: Archery only deer hunting for volunteer service program by permit only

Public Access: Yes, parking available

Location: 21152 150 E. St. north of Mineral

Habitat: Sand prairie, bottomland woodland, pine plantings

Old Indian Boundary Line Prairie

Acres: 7 acres

Managed: Under agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation

Uses: Hiking, environmental education

Public Access: Yes, limited roadside parking

Location: Route 26, just 2 miles south of Ohio, west side of curve

Note of Interest: The Old Indian Boundary Line was established in accordance with a treaty made at St. Louis, Mo., in 1816 between the general government and the united tribes of Indians. This line ran from the south end of Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River at the mouth of the Rock River.

Center Prairie

Acres: 16 acres

Managed: Under agreement with Illinois Department of Transportation

Uses: Wildflower observation, hiking, environmental education

Public Access: Yes, parking along Old Route 6

Location: Route 6/34 3.5 miles west of Princeton

Habitat: Native prairie grasses and forbs

Walnut Grove Woodland

Acres: 7 acres

Deeded by: John and Winona Hood

Uses: Environmental education, hiking, wildlife observation

Public Access: Yes, limited parking

Location: 1-1/2 miles west of Route 40 on 925 North Avenue, Macon Township, Section 17

Habitat: Oak/hickory savannah woodland

Hetzler Cemetery Prairie

Acres: 1 acre

Managed: Under agreement with the Greenfield Cemetery Association

Uses: Wildflower observation, environmental and cultural education

Public Access: Yes, roadside parking

Location: Northeast of LaMoille, north one-half mile off Route 34/92 on 3150 East Street.

Habitat: Native prairie grasses and forbs

Note of Interest: Site is a dedicated Illinois Nature Preserve. Oldest grave, 1843

Witness Tree

Acres: 1 acre

Deeded by: Merle Heise Family and Ed Wirth Family

Uses: Environmental, cultural, and natural history education

Public Access: Yes, parking available

Location: Intersection of 200 East Road and 1300 North Avenue. 1 mile south of Sheffield on Route 34, then 3-1/4 mile west on 1300 North

Tree species and age: Bur Oak-Quercus macrocarpa 200-plus years old

Note of Interest: Council meeting site for Sac and Fox tribes. Tree served as a chief point of survey for the Rock Island Railroad. It spans 85 feet and has a 14 foot trunk circumference.

Brook Rohrer is a resources conservationist at the Bureau County Soil and Water Conservation District.