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 (red oak-white oak); intermittent stream and seeps; north slopes with sugar maple and red oak; prairie restoration (8 acres); a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 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 invasive species control including both native (sassafras) and exotic (bush honeysuckle) species.
Other information: The donor family retains certain rights to the property, including access to the property for hiking and gathering firewood.
Attending a Friends workday at the site is a great way to get acquainted with this beautiful oak woodland.