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Bohm Woods Nature Preserve
Edwardsville, IL | 92 Acres
Type: Natural Area
Owned by: State of Illinois – Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT HUNTING AND OTHER REGULATIONS, PLEASE CONTACT IDNR’S HORSESHOE LAKE OFFICE AT 618-931-0270
Our role: With only three high-quality old growth forests remaining in the St. Louis Metro East region, HeartLands Conservancy provided and permanent conservation protection technical assistance to the City of Edwardsville to acquire the property next door to Bohm Woods State Nature Preserve.
We assist with stewardship, promoting volunteer opportunities, and expanding the community’s knowledge of this rare natural area.
Hours: Open Sunrise to Sunset unless otherwise posted.
Location & Directions
From I-255, take New Poag Road toward Edwardsville. The parking area for Bohm Woods is located on the north side of New Poag Road off of Bohm School Road.
Trails & Facilities
An unpaved walking trail is accessible from the parking area. The trail is approximately a 2 mile loop with variable terrain. There are some stream crossings, a few foot bridges, and occasional a creek hop.
There are no restrooms or other facilities at Bohm Woods.
Wildlife & Habitat
Bohm Woods is an old-growth upland forest that supports abundant wildlife that need large forest blocks for survival.
Plants of interest include a variety of oak and hickory trees, and a stunning display of spring wildflowers, including merrybells, prairie trillium, paw paws, and woodland phlox.
Depending on the season, you may be able to see a variety of birds and other wildlife, such as cerulean warblers, eastern phoebes, owls, flying squirrels, eastern box turtles, foxes, and white-tailed deer.
Regulations
Open sunrise to sunset 7 days a week, unless posted otherwise. Pets are not permitted. Archery deer hunting is allowed via State permit. Hikers should note that hunting season occurs from October through mid-January each year. Further rules and regulations can be found here.
This preserve is owned and managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Overview
Bohm Woods State Nature Preserve
Bohm Woods State Nature Preserve is a special place. This spectacular forest has somehow remained undisturbed, despite the massive disturbance that has forever altered the Illinois landscape since European arrival. Old-growth forest is exceedingly rare, and to have one of such quality in a developed area is even rarer. In fact, Bohm Woods represents one of only three old-growth forests remaining in the entire Metro East, which is why the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has worked for decades to protect it. They were finally successful in 2006 when the land was purchased and designated as an Illinois State Nature Preserve for the benefit of all.
The habitat is home to a wide variety of wildlife—from migratory songbirds to turtles, deer, and the soaring Southern flying squirrel.
Southern flying squirrels are secretive and need mature oak and hickory-dominated forests. The squirrels nest in the natural cavities of standing dead trees that are found in old-growth forests. With only three intact old-growth forests left in the St. Louis Metro East area, the squirrels have very few places to live. Protecting forests like Bohm Woods is helping to restore the habitat they need to thrive.
HeartLands Conservancy does not own the property. This information is posted for the community’s awareness of this important place.
“Bohm Woods offers visitors a glimpse into Illinois’ past. There is simply nowhere else in the region where one can see a forest of giant hardwoods—massive trees that are hundreds of years old, over 100 ft tall, and several feet in diameter. These trees form an extensive canopy that captures most of the sunlight, producing an open understory that supports unique communities of plants and animals, including rare spring wildflowers and neotropical migrant songbirds. As these enormous trees die, they may remain standing for decades, providing food and shelter for countless species. When they topple, they uproot the soil, creating a unique pit-and-mount topography that provides ephemeral pools for wildlife.
Bohm Woods is a vital resource for the entire region. Its importance has long been recognized by adjacent landowners, including John and Kay Kendall, founders of the Watershed Nature Center, who dedicated their adjoining land, “Toadwood Scrubs” as a buffer for Bohm Woods. The university community is equally invested in Bohm Woods and recognizes its value in providing high quality educational and research experiences for students. In 2010, SIUE faculty worked collaboratively to establish the ~380-acre SIUE Nature Preserve with the purpose of connecting our largest remaining forest patch with Bohm Woods, via a habitat corridor.”
– Dr. Richard Essner, SIUE
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 anna.mcatee@heartlandsconservancy.org.
You may find information on our Land Conservation page and Ways to Give page helpful, too.