Tomlinson Pioneer Cemetery Prairie Nature Preserve

County: Champaign
Ownership: Champaign County Board
Dedication: September 1985
Size: 1.0 acres

Tomlinson Cememtery was originally established as a family burial ground with burials dating from 1846 to 1945. The natural area, located on sand and gravel outwash, occupies a gently sloping ridge above the Middlefork of the Vermilion River.

Although Tomlinson Pioneer Cemetery is called a prairie, the natural community present is more accurately termed a dry-mesic savanna. Large, open-grown bur oak and shingle oak are the dominant trees, while big bluestem and Indian grass dominate the groundcover. Typical prairie wildflowers such as leadplant and shooting star occur along with characteristic savanna plants including starry campion, wild quinine, hazelnut, and catbrier. This preserve is one of only two savannas protected as nature preserves in the Grand Prairie Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division.

Special Note: For access to this site, prior permission is required from the Champaign County Forest Preserve District by contacting Roger Kirkwood at (217) 586-4630.

PLANT LIST FOR TOMLINSON CEMETERY SAVANNA

updated: January 10, 2002
www: www.prairienet.org/gpf
email: gpf@prairienet.org