did you know?
tidbits learned along the trail
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. Read more 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.
Illinois is home to more wintering bald eagles than any state other than Alaska. The Illinois River is home to many of these eagles. 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.
National Geographic Adventure magazine chose the Greater Peoria area as one of the 50 next great adventure towns. 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 44 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 11354 acres providing vital habitat for a variety of species in the wildlife refuges of Chautauqua, Meredosia, Emiquon & Cameron/Bilsbach. Read more here.
Mason State Tree 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.
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 is named for him. Read more here.
Illinois is home to several national champion big trees as well as its own big tree register.
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
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
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.
