Outdoors & Recreation Bird Watching

Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Forreston, IL - Ogle County
Home / What to Do / Outdoors & Recreation / Bird Watching / Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Address:

  • Corner of West Grove & Freeport Rd
  • Forreston, IL, 61030
Get Directions

Contact:

Details

 

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.  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.

How to 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.

https://www.nwilaudubon.org/elkhorn-creek.asp

 

You’ll love this energetic tribute to 🎵 #JohnnyCash! Close your eyes, and you’ll think that the Man in Black himself is performing. Coming to @whitepines_resort Oct. 11-12.
Woot! @SelmiFarm in #RockFallsIL is the place to be to enjoy the 𝗟𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗷𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 🪓🌲 & 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 🧔 on Oct. 7. Sounds like a blast!  FIND SHOW TIMES 👉  at link in bio, under EVENTS.
#nailsofinstagram #nailsofinstagram #nwillinoisirl
Feel like taking a walk on the dark side? Kidding. The 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗸𝗲 at Jarrett Prairie Center in #ByronIL will be lit by the moon! Held 9/30 & 10/28. #free but registration is required. Get info at link in bio, under EVENTS.
Get ready to 🎸 Rock out at #TheHairBandNight concert at @TLPlayhouse Oct. 7! Relive the epic vibes & wild hairdos from the golden era of rock 🤘🔥 #HairBandConcert #RockNRollNostalgia 👉 This is a one-night only event. Get tix info at our bio link under EVENTS.
Be 👸 👑 king or queen for the day on October 🍁🍁🍁 weekends at @HavencrestCastle in #SavannaIL! First tour is Oct. 1! Go to link in bio under EVENTS for details.

VISITOR GUIDE

Request a free copy or view our latest guide online.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Ideas and resources to help plan your next real getaway in NW Illinois.