ExperienceGuide2024 - 34

Homer Lake
The Prairie State of CU
Creating and restoring native prairies is critical as we look at
sustainable ways to mitigate climate change, support our local
ecosystem, and maintain biodiversity in our green spaces. Native
prairies reduce the amount of CO2
in the atmosphere, promote
pollination, which helps support plants and crops, reduce water
runoff, and maintain our local water supply from the Mahomet
Aquifer.
Around the region, our area park districts and the Champaign
County Forest Preserve District are working toward restoring
native prairie and reforestation through tree planting and seeding.
Across our preserves, over 160 acres have been converted to
tallgrass prairie. At Buffalo Trace, just across from the Lake of
the Woods Forest Preserve, you can walk five miles of trails and
discover dozens of native plants along the prairie.
In Urbana, walk through Busey Woods, a 59-acre bottomland OakHickory
forest, the only surviving parcel of the historic " Big Grove "
that once made up 10 square miles of trees extending from Urbana
to Rantoul. Between Meadowbrook Park, Weaver Park, and the
Perkins Road Wet Prairie, you'll find another 150 acres of restored
prairie and wetland, ideal for wildlife observation. Champaign's
Robert C. Porter Family Park is the first natural areas park in
the district, with 300 trees and native plantings surrounding the
walking path.
Within the 1,500 acres at Allerton Park & Retreat Center, you'll
find a 30-acre demonstration prairie alongside 500 acres of
contiguous forest, which constitutes one of the most valuable
forests in Illinois and has been recognized as a National Natural
Landmark by the National Park Service.
Enjoy your time in our area prairies, and please do your part to
maintain these natural areas so we can keep these critical spaces.
LOCAL LOVES
Nancy- " I really enjoy Allerton Park & Retreat Center located in Monticello. If you're looking for arts, nature, and hiking,
it's a great spot to be! Allerton also has different events throughout the year if you're interested in doing things outside
of Champaign-Urbana without going too far. "
OUTDOORS
LEARN ABOUT POLLINATORS
Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are critical to our ecology, with
over 75% of all flowering plant species depending on pollinators for
survival. The University of Illinois Pollinatarium educates kids in
creative ways with walks through the gardens and playful exhibits.
Check out this science center, which is open to the public on Saturdays.
Miles of Trails
Explore the diverse landscape across our region, with
nearly 100 miles of trails to explore.
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES
Across seven preserves, you'll discover 47 miles of hiking, running,
and biking trails. Featuring 11.5 miles across 1,700 acres, Middle Fork
River Forest Preserve lays claim to the region's premier waterfowl
management areas with reforested lowlands, meadows, prairie, and
four miles of the Middle Fork River. Homer Lake Forest Preserve,
with just over 10 miles of trails, surrounds the scenic lake, where you'll
discover wildlife across grasslands, prairie, and woodlands.
At Allerton Park & Retreat Center, 14 miles of hiking trails await
you. Along the trails, discover sculptures amongst the trees of this
bottomland forest that winds along the Sangamon River.
Off Lake Shelbyville in Sullivan, you'll discover dozens of trails ideal for
hiking and biking. Okaw Bluff overlooks the lake and sits alongside a
100-acre wetland with a wildlife viewing stand.
Urban trails like Heritage Park in Champaign and Meadowbrook Park
in Urbana connect us all to nature.

https://experiencecu.org/experiences/outdoors https://www.champaignforests.org/ https://www.champaignforests.org/ https://www.champaignforests.org/lake-of-the-woods-mahomet-illinois https://www.champaignforests.org/lake-of-the-woods-mahomet-illinois https://www.urbanaparks.org/parks/natural-areas/ https://www.champaignforests.org/forest-preserve/champaign-county/middle-fork-river https://www.urbanaparks.org/parks/meadowbrook-park/ https://www.urbanaparks.org/parks/weaver-park/ https://www.champaignforests.org/forest-preserve/champaign-county/middle-fork-river https://www.champaignforests.org/forest-preserves/illinois/homer-lake https://champaignparks.org/places/porter-family-park/ https://allerton.illinois.edu/ https://allerton.illinois.edu/ http://www.lakeshelbyville.com/ https://champaignparks.org/places/heritage-park/ https://www.urbanaparks.org/parks/meadowbrook-park/ https://www.urbanaparks.org/parks/meadowbrook-park/ https://allerton.illinois.edu/

ExperienceGuide2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ExperienceGuide2024