Explore
Poag Sand Prairie
Edwardsville, IL | 18.5 Acres
Type: Natural Area
Owned by: HeartLands Conservancy
Our role: With less than 1% of Illinois prairies remaining, HeartLands Conservancy acquired the rare sand prairie in 2018 (in partnership with The Nature Conservancy) and expanded it in 2021. We own and manage this property for wildlife habitat and are actively restoring the prairie.
Location & Directions
Located on Street Car Road (may be called Wanda Road on google maps or street signs). From I-255, take New Poag Road toward Edwardsville. Turn south on Wanda Road. Follow the road around the curve (it will turn into Street Car Road).
Poag Sand Prairie’s gravel driveway will be on the right just after the curve in the road before you get to the houses. Parking is also located on the grassy shoulder of Street Car Road just after the first house.
Trails & Facilities
The 0.75-mile Tosovsky Family Trail is a mowed trail through the sand prairie. The trail begins past the barn and loops around the pond and through the prairie.
There are no restrooms or other facilities on-site at this time.
[We are actively raising funds to support enhancements to this public conservation area. If you’re interested, you can help make it a reality here.]
Wildlife & Habitat
Poag Sand Prairie includes rare sand prairie habitat. Less than 2,500 acres of this habitat remains in the state.
You’ll find sandy soils, a wildlife pond, and unique plants and wildlife at Poag.
Plants of interest include prickly pear cactus, hoary vervain, blackjack oak trees, and wild petunia.
Depending on the season, you may be able to see a variety of birds and other wildlife.
Prairie birds, such as dickcissels and bobwhite quails have been observed here.
The property is also home to state-endangered Illinois Chorus Frog. SIUE researchers are monitoring the sanctuary’s population of frogs.
Regulations
When visiting, please keep in mind that dogs from the local neighborhood sometimes roam the area. Be cautious and respectful of the space to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Due to the sensitive wildlife habitat, we ask that dogs stay home as it can disrupt the establishment of birds, mammals, and other animals on site. Since the prairie is still under restoration, we also prohbit horses, bicycles, ATVs, and unauthorized motorized vehicles on the trail.
Parking is located at the barn at the end of the gravel driveway.
As a community-supported conservation organization, your support is important to foster the love of the land, care for the lands we own, and protect additional properties. We therefore want you to know that when you participate in our programs or visit our properties, you do so recognizing that we may use photographs or videos of program participants for educational and promotional use. By visiting our properties, you therefore acknowledge this possibility and convey consent.
Bill Duncan
Overview
Poag Sand Prairie
Poag Sand Prairie protects one of the rarest and oldest habitats in Illinois – sand prairie. These sandy grasslands are home to a unique wildlife, including pollinators, prairie birds, and the endangered Illinois Chorus Frog. Only 2,200 acres of sand prairies remain in the entire state of Illinois. That’s an area about the size of SIU-Edwardsville.
Poag Sand Prairie is nearly 20 acres and connects to a larger, 40-acre state-owned prairie. Many unique species found on or nearby the property include Tiger salamanders, bobwhite quail, purple-headed sneezeweed, eastern prickly pear, ohio spiderwort, ornate box turtles, and Illinois chorus frogs.
Prairies once covered two-thirds of Illinois. Today, less than 1% of original prairie is left. Along with the loss of prairies came loss and decline of many wildlife that relied on prairie habitat for food, nesting ground, and shelter. Illinois Chorus Frogs are one example. Only found in the sand prairies along major rivers in Illinois, the recent discovery of a breeding population of the frogs on the property is a hopeful sign that when we care for the land, nature responds.
By conserving this rare and ecologically rich landscape, we’re not only protecting habitat—we’re ensuring that future generations can connect with the rare beauty of the Illinois prairie and the wildlife it sustains.
You can support frog and prairie habitat and public access at Poag Sand Prairie
Habitat restoration and trails won’t happen without support from the community. We’re currently raising funds to support critical prairie restoration and public access needs at this property. If you’re interested, click the button below to learn more.
If you would like to find out more about how to create a new public conservation area and conserve wildlife habitat, feel free to call Anna McAtee at (618) 566-4451 ex 23 or email her at an*********@*******************cy.org.
You may find information on our Land Conservation page and Ways to Give page helpful, too.