Sand Ridge State Forest

Infobox_protected_area | name = Sand Ridge State Forest, Illinois, USA
iucn_category = VI


caption = Map of the U.S. state of Illinois showing the location of Sand Ridge State Forest
locator_x = 118
locator_y = 150
location = Mason County, Illinois, USA
nearest_city = Forest City, Illinois
lat_degrees = 40
lat_minutes = 24
lat_seconds = 41
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 89
long_minutes = 51
long_seconds = 58
long_direction = W
area = convert|7200|acre|km2|2|lk=on
established = 1939
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Sand Ridge State Forest is a conservation area located in the U.S. state of Illinois. Containing 7,200 acres (29 km²), it is the largest state forest in Illinois. It is located in northern Mason County. The nearest town is Manito, Illinois and the nearest numbered highway is U.S. Highway 136. It is located on a low bluff, or "sand ridge", overlooking the Illinois River, hence the name.

The Sand Ridge State Forest largely dates back to 1939, when the state of Illinois purchased parcels of submarginal sandy farmland for conservation purposes. The Civilian Conservation Corps planted pine trees on much of the land. Today, the convert|7200|acre|km2|0|sing=on state forest contains convert|3916|acre|km2|0 of dryland oak-hickory woodlands, convert|2492|acre|km2|0 of pine woodlands, and convert|792|acre|km2|1 of open fields and sand prairies, which include Pricky Pear Cactus, Opuntia.

Sand Ridge is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as open space for active recreational purposes, especially whitetail deer hunting.

External links

* [http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R4/sand.htm Illinois DNR Sand Ridge State Forest site]