Cedar Creek Conservation Area

History

 

Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District

Cedar Creek Conservation Area

 

The Cedar Creek Conservation Area was founded in 1986 when the Illinois Department of Transportation deeded land to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources who then deeded it to Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District.

 

The District has been working on developing the east tract located in Coldbrook Township, Sections 23 & 24. To get to the area, you can take Highway 164 from Monmouth to Galesburg, turning south on 155th street, then east on 210th avenue, then south on 165th street. The Conservation Area will be on the east side of the road just prior to going over the Route 34 bridge.

 

This 80 acre tract consists of timber, cropland, and Cedar Creek. The entrance is planted to prairie grasses and forbs and there are eight boxes planted to different warm season grasses such as Big Bluestem, Little Bluestem, Indian Grass, Buffalo Grass, Side Oats Gamma, Canada Wild Rye, Eastern Gramma Grass, Switch Grass, and wildflowers. A rock trail will lead you to the timber where you can hike to the wetland area that is visible from Route 34.  This 1.1-mile trail will cross 3 wooden bridges and take you to an observation deck over looking the wetland area. Nineteen different species of trees are identified along the trail. When you reach the observation deck, 11.6 acres of cropland has been enrolled in the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and is planted to warm season grasses and forbs. The timber area recently had a Timber Stand Improvement project completed where trees were thinned out and girdled.

 

Brochures can be picked up at the district office at 701 North Main Street, Monmouth, IL or if you have questions, you can contact the office at (309) 734-8569 x3.

Serving Warren County Since 1942