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Kathleen Scanlan Conservation Area
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Washington County, IL | 174 Acres
Type: Natural Area
Owned by: HeartLands Conservancy
Our role: Given the significance of the Kaskaskia River lands, HeartLands Conservancy preserved this property in 2017 as part of an ongoing effort to protect critical habitats in the region. Funding support was provided by the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. We own and manage this property for wildlife habitat.
Hours: We host periodic tours of the area. The property doesn’t contain trails for general public access given its challenging access points and sensitive wildlife habitat.
Location & Directions
Located along the Kaskaskia River in Washington County, Illinois near the town of New Memphis Station.
Trails & Facilities
Given the marshy bottomland, as well as its sensitive nature for wildlife habitat, this site is currently only available for tours. We host periodic tours and announce them through our eNewsletter (you can sign up here). There are no trails, facilities, or parking areas available at this location.
However, there is a similar habitat open to the public located nearby at the Wagon Lake Land and Water Reserve site owned by the State of Illinois.
Wildlife & Habitat
Habitat here consists of bottomland hardwood (e.g., oaks and hickories) forest, wetlands, river, and lakes. Plants of interest include Blue-eyed Mary, asters, various oak varieties, maples, and willows.
Depending on the season, you may be able to see a variety of birds and other wildlife.
Forest and water birds, such as Cerulean Warblers, Prothonotary Warblers, Bald Eagles, and Eastern Wild Turkeys are prominent in the Kaskaskia River forest.
White-tailed deer, river otters, minks, and varieties of fish are found here as well.
Regulations
The property is only accessible through guided walks hosted by the HeartLands Conservancy.
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.
Photo: Bryan Werner
Overview
Kathleen Scanlan Conservation Area and Schuetz Addition
The Kathleen Scanlan Conservation Area and Schuetz Addition protects one of the largest stretches of natural forest along the Kaskaskia River. These lush river woodlands are home to a wide variety of wildlife—from migrating songbirds to turtles, frogs, and the sleek river otter.
Once nearly gone from Illinois due to habitat loss and water pollution, river otters have made a strong comeback thanks to conservation efforts like this one. Protected forests and cleaner waterways have helped restore the habitat they need to thrive. Their return is a hopeful sign that when we care for the land and water, 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 quiet beauty of the Kaskaskia River and the wildlife it sustains.
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.