did you know?
tidbits learned along the trail
On August 28, 1963, the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission was established to protect forests, prairies, wetlands, and other natural habitats throughout the State. Preceding many historic conservation initiatives including the first Earth Day as well as the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, the Illinois nature preserve system became a model for many other states. There are now over 600 sites protected throughout Illinois. Read more here.
Regarded as hero and legend, world-renowned scientist Frank Bellrose was known for his work on North American waterfowl. "With its fertility and diversity, the Illinois River Valley is one of the most unique in the world. The only thing close to it would be the Nile," said Bellrose. Havana's Bellrose Island and Bellrose Meadows are named for him. Read more here.
The American Public Gardens Association's largest and most comprehensive certified oak collection in North America is located at Starhill Forest Arboretum in Petersburg. Read more here.
A long term project to reintroduce the state endangered osprey as a nesting species in Illinois is ongoing along the Illinois River and Anderson Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area in Fulton County. Read more here OR here OR here OR watch here.
Our stretch of the Illinois River is home to more than a dozen active bald eagle nests. These resident eagles do not migrate and if there is open water, they will stay in their nesting territories year-round. Read more here.
Illinois' great diversity of habitat makes it home to over 54000 different species with more being discovered all the time. Read more here.
Illinois is blessed with abundant fresh water and contains 106,900 miles of streams. All 332 miles of the Illinois River are contained within the state. Read more here.
The Illinois River is one of the world's lowest sloped/gradient rivers and drops only 29.5 feet from Starved Rock to is mouth. Read more here.
Established in 1894, the Forbes Biological Station, located on the Illinois River near Havana, is the oldest inland field station in North America. Read the history here OR visit the website here.
The Rock Island Trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2003. Read more here.
The Illinois River (south of Hennepin) follows the ancient Mississippi River bed and was formed by the Kankakee Torrent. Watch or read more here.
The Kankakee Torrent also created 'till balls' that can be found locally. Learn more about till balls here.
The Kankakee Torrent also created 'till balls' that can be found locally. Learn more about till balls here.
Funks Grove is the largest remaining intact prairie grove in Illinois. Located at Sugar Grove Nature Center in McLean, parts of it have been designated a National Natural Landmark. Read more here.
The second largest Indian mound in the Midwest (dating back more than 2000 years) is Rockwell Mound, located in Havana's Rockwell Park.
Read more here.
Read more here.
During the mid-1900's, the Illinois River was the second largest inland commercial fishery in the United States. Read more here.
One of the highest concentrations of conservation agencies in the nation is located in the Havana and Lewistown area and includes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, the University of Illinois' Therkildsen Field Station, Dickson Mounds Museum, the Illinois River Biological Station, Forbes Biological Station and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. ~ Mitchell Baalman, Wildlife Refuge Specialist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
National Geographic Adventure magazine chose the Greater Peoria area as one of the 50 next great adventure towns. Read more here OR here OR here.
The United States has only 41 areas internationally designated as Ramsar Sites (Wetlands of International Importance). Of these 41, two are in central Illinois (Dixon Waterfowl Refuge and the Emiquon Complex (including Emiquon NWR, Emiquon Preserve and Chautauqua NWR).
Illinois is home to more wintering bald eagles than any state other than Alaska and the Illinois River is home to many of these eagles. Read more here. Also a wintering home to many bald eagles, the Mississippi River has areas where there are sometimes more than 800 bald eagles gathered in one day. Read more here.
Glen Oak Park, home to the Peoria Zoo, has been instrumental in its work with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to reintroduce the endangered Alligator Snapping Turtle. Read more here.
Bike Peoria Co-op is a local group offering help, tools and classes to empower, educate and advocate for bikes in Peoria. Read more here.
With over 9000 acres of land, the Peoria Park District is the largest park district in Illinois. Read more here.
Over half of the dry-mesic savannah left in Illinois is contained in Peoria's Springdale Cemetery Savanna. Read more here.
With over 2500 acres of land, the Pekin Park District is the fifth largest park district in Illinois. Read more here.
More than 40 million people visit Illinois State Parks each year. Read more here.
At over 7200 acres, Sand Ridge State Forest near Manito and Forest City is Illinois' largest state forest. Read more here.
Sand Ridge State Forest includes the historic Clear Lake archaeological site, which was occupied from about 500 B.C. to 1500 A.D. Read more here.
The Illinois River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex includes 12,875 acres along 124 miles of the Illinois RIver and provides vital habitat for a variety of species in the wildlife refuges of Chautauqua, Meredosia, Emiquon & Cameron/Bilsbach. Read more here.
Mason State Nursery is Illinois' only state nursery. It is the largest producer of Illinois native wildflower seed east of the Mississippi and produces about 1,000,000 native trees and shrubs each year. Read more here.
Illinois is home to several national champion big trees listed on the National Register of Champion Trees as well as having our own Illinois Big Tree Register (IBRT).
Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge is home to one of only two remaining refuge towers built in the 1930's for wildlife observation. It is 100 feet tall, offers expansive views of the area and is occassionally open for public tours. ~ Mitchell Baalman, Wildlife Refuge Specialist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Central Illinois is home to the world's most complete large-scale Solar System model. Many of the model's locations are in local parks. Watch or read more here.
In August 2019, Kiplinger Magazine named Peoria one of the nation's top fifty cities in which to retire.
Among their reasons was the extensive park system. Read more here.
Among their reasons was the extensive park system. Read more here.
