WEB SITE
Elton E. Fawks Bald Eagle Refuge Nature Preserve

MANAGING ORGANIZATION
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

CONTACT
Natural Heritage Biologist, Lost Mound Unit

PHONE
815-273-3184

SITE AMENITIES
This site has been recognized for many years as an important winter roosting site for bald eagles. The bluffs along this portion of the Mississippi River overlook Lock and Dam 14, an important winter feeding area for bald eagles.

SPECIAL CLOSINGS
This preserve is closed to visitors between October 1 and April 1 to prevent disturbance to the large population of bald eagles which roost here.

SITE CHARACTERISTICS
The site is recognized as an important winter roosting site for bald eagles. The bluffs overlook Lock and Dam 14, an important winter feeding area for bald eagles. Although the primary purpose of the preserve is to provide roosting habitat for bald eagles, the forest present on the site contains young second growth and mature second growth oaks, sugar maple, shagbark hickory, hackberry, black walnut and black cherry. It also has a very diverse spring flora, that includes bloodroot, trillium, Dutchmen's breeches and wild ginger. The preserve is named in memory of Elton Fawks for his significant contributions to the conservation of bald eagles in the Upper Midwest. Fawks led the effort to see this bald eagle roost, formerly known as Oak Valley, protected.

SITE SIZE
173.6 acres