Trout Hollow Hill Prairie Habitat Restoration and Access Updates

Trout Hollow Hill Prairie in Monroe County, Illinois, is a 15-acre prairie and forest preserve. It was was established in 2024 thanks to more than 830 people from across the globe.

The prairie and forest is being restored to support many types of wildlife, including badgers, bees, and bobcats. Migratory birds use the prairie and forested bluff lands as a resting spot during their journeys. Prairie plants like hairy mountain mint, hoary puccoon, and big bluestem are found here, too.

From the prairie you can see sweeping views of the rich farmland of the Mississippi River Valley and the stunning bluffs and forests around it.

Less than 1% of Illinois’ prairies are left in our beautiful prairie state – and only 600 acres of hill prairies (i.e., prairies on bluffs like this one) remain. That’s smaller than New York’s Central Park.

In the meantime, our pollinator populations are crashing, wildlife that depend on prairies and bluffs are declining, and extreme weather is causing additional stress on wildlife and humans.

Losing even one more acre of prairie is devastating, which is why restoration of the prairie began in in winter 2024. Thanks to volunteers and community support, invasive plants have been removed to enlarge the prairie. We've made great progress but there is much more to do to restore its original size.

Habitat stewardship is critical, such as continual removal of invasive plants. For the access of future visitors and volunteers, it is important for site-sensitive unpaved trails trails to be clearly marked.

Funds will support the critical ongoing restoration of wildlife habitat, trail access, and implementation costs.