In 2020, family members of the John Elwood and Mary Elwood Trusts donated the 75.5 acre woodland tract in Peoria County just north of Rocky Glen Park now known as the Elwood Wildlife Preserve. High quality oak barrens are present on the west facing slopes along the NE portion of the woodlands. Good quality glacial drift hills prairies exist throughout the Illinois River Bluffs ecosystem.
When you think of land, do you think of family? Do you have memories of picking vegetable with grandparents? Do you remember chasing a sibling through a park? Did you take fishing trips with your parents or friends? For Sue Pendelton, family and land are deeply intertwined. Her grandfather, John Elwood passed on a land ethic to her and her uncle, Patrick Elwood (John’s son) that eventually led to the family donating Elwood Wildlife Preserve to Prairie Land Conservancy.
When asked what one thing she hoped folks would remember about Elwood Wildlife Preserve, Sue paused a moment and said, “It came out of someone’s real respect for the land. The woods were grandpa’s church. I think he would be thrilled that people will be able to continue to come to the woods for a quiet place to think away from the noise.”
PLC's continuing goals at Elwood are to fully restore the woodland and hill prairies which will provide better quality habitat for birds including the state threatened Cerulean Warbler, Black-Billed Cuckoo, Mississippi Kite, and Barn Owl as well as state endangered Short-Eared Owl, Upland Sandpiper, Swainson’s Hawk, Bewick’s Wren, Osprey, Greater Prairie Chicken, Northern Harrier, Loggerhead Shrike, and Swainson’s Warbler. Twice a month, work days are led by volunteers who improve the site by performing stewardship such as invasives or garbage removal. PLC continues building partnerships to aid in restoring this beautiful property.
When you think of land, do you think of family? Do you have memories of picking vegetable with grandparents? Do you remember chasing a sibling through a park? Did you take fishing trips with your parents or friends? For Sue Pendelton, family and land are deeply intertwined. Her grandfather, John Elwood passed on a land ethic to her and her uncle, Patrick Elwood (John’s son) that eventually led to the family donating Elwood Wildlife Preserve to Prairie Land Conservancy.
When asked what one thing she hoped folks would remember about Elwood Wildlife Preserve, Sue paused a moment and said, “It came out of someone’s real respect for the land. The woods were grandpa’s church. I think he would be thrilled that people will be able to continue to come to the woods for a quiet place to think away from the noise.”
PLC's continuing goals at Elwood are to fully restore the woodland and hill prairies which will provide better quality habitat for birds including the state threatened Cerulean Warbler, Black-Billed Cuckoo, Mississippi Kite, and Barn Owl as well as state endangered Short-Eared Owl, Upland Sandpiper, Swainson’s Hawk, Bewick’s Wren, Osprey, Greater Prairie Chicken, Northern Harrier, Loggerhead Shrike, and Swainson’s Warbler. Twice a month, work days are led by volunteers who improve the site by performing stewardship such as invasives or garbage removal. PLC continues building partnerships to aid in restoring this beautiful property.
Accessibility Information
Trail features: Natural surface trails
Parking: Street parallel parking
Bathrooms: No restrooms available
Parking: Street parallel parking
Bathrooms: No restrooms available
Enjoy Our Trails!
Thank you to Julie Robinson, a Master Naturalist out of the Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell group for mapping this trail and adding Elwood Wildlife Preserve to the OPAL database. Please click the following link for more information about hiking at Elwood Wildlife Preserve: OPAL Elwood Wildlife Preserve Website
Check out these images from our work days, John Meyers, and our trail cameras!
Rules to Remember While Visiting
- Please follow the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace while visiting this site.
Plan Ahead and Prepare - If possible, take a photo of this map to keep with you.
- Take care to look around you from time to time as to not get lost
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Please watch your step while touring the property as to minimize trampling the plants. Walk in bare areas when possible.
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- If you brought it in with you, bring it out.
- Leave What You Find
Aside from garbage, please leave all plants, animals, rocks, and artifacts where you found them and how you found them. This ensures that the next visitors can enjoy them as well. - Use the hashtag #PrairieHillsWetlandReserve or #PrairieLandConservancy on social media, tag us on Facebook, or share via our iNaturalist Project.
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- There are no fires allowed on the property.
- Respect Wildlife
- Do not approach wildlife. This is their home and as such please respect their space for yours and the animals safety
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Keep noise to a minimum to protect the integrity of the soundscape
Address:
Limestone Township, IL 61604.
Please do not park in the Cadence Academy Preschool Parking lot, please park along the street.
Please do not park in the Cadence Academy Preschool Parking lot, please park along the street.