Illinois boasts historic national parks that help tell the story of frontier expansion, as well as a forest that contains quiet seeps savored by rare plants and wildlife.
Summary
More than 200 species of birds visit or use the Wildlife Refuges in Illinois, including several on the federal threatened and endangered list. Many of the National Wildlife Refuges within the state are in the process of creating long-term plans that will determine how these refuges will be managed. Your involvement now can help ensure that these special places remain special for future wildlife - and future generations of Americans.
Protecting Illinois' Last Wild Places: Roadless Area Protection
The Burke Branch Roadless Area on the Shawnee National Forest represents the very best that the forest offers. Its incredibly diverse terrain ranges from large southern floodplain forests to steep hills, where dry forests and plant communities occupy the higher elevations and wetland communities and extremely rare seep springs are found farther down. This wild area provides rare undisturbed wildlife habitat, but without the protection provided by the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, it is subject to illegal motor traffic use.
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National Lands in Illinois
National Park Service
U.S. Forest Service
National Wildlife Refuges
Quick Facts
Total acres in state: 37,067,418
Total Wilderness acres: 29,688
Total number of wilderness areas: 8
Largest Wilderness: Bald Knob
Smallest Wilderness: Panther Den
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Resources
Partner Groups
Heartwood
