Wolf Preserve

The 68-acre Wolf Preserve was acquired by Friends of the Sangamon Valley in 2005 thanks to an anonymous donation. The property is located just outside of Petersburg, IL in Menard County on historic Boy Scout Trail. Access is restricted to special tours, events and volunteer work days.

The Wolf Preserve consists of mesic upland woodland (oak-hickory); intermittent stream and seeps; north slopes with sugar maple and red oak; prairie restoration (8 acres); a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) bottomland hardwood tree planting of 9 acres. Notable features include sandstone outcroppings with small waterfalls and very large and old trees including the oldest white oak (The WOLF) and sassafras in Menard County.

Current threats to the property include invasive species, trespassing, and poaching. Multiple FOSV Volunteer Stewardship Workdays are held throughout the year to remove invasive species and conduct prescribed burns. The PORTA High School Key Club (student service organization) has “adopted” the section of Boy Scout Trail where the preserve is located and conduct litter clean-ups throughout the year.

The Site Management Plan dictates continued prescribed burns and controlling invasive bush honeysuckle species and aggressive native species including sassafras, ironwood, and maples.  

Attending a Friends workday at the site is a great way to get acquainted with this beautiful oak woodland.