Fort Daniel Conservation Area
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| Fort Daniel Conservation Area | |
|---|---|
  Location of Fort Daniel Conservation Area within Illinois | |
| Location | Macon County, Illinois, United States |
| Nearest city | Decatur |
| Coordinates | 39°46′54.12″N 88°49′41.88″W / 39.7817000°N 88.8283000°W |
| Area | 611 acres (247 ha) |
| Website | https://maconcountyconservation.org/conservation-areas/fort-daniel-conservation-area |
Fort Daniel Conservation Area is a 611 acre (2.47 km2) park located 4 miles (6.5 km) east of Mount Zion, Illinois. The land preserve protects the site of a ghost town, Whistleville. Today, the site centers on hiking and picknicking in the Big Creek watershed southeast of Decatur.[1]
Seven marked trails comprise 5.1 miles (7.0 km) of hiking opportunities that cross and recross Big Creek. At the north end of the conservation area, a recreational complex includes a picnic shelter, playground, and fire ring. Tree watchers are encouraged to find and identify the sugar maples, chinquapin oaks, pawpaw, wafer ash, and Kentucky coffeetrees that grow in the conservation area. The conservation area is maintained by the Macon County Conservation District.[1]
In 2019, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation awarded a $1 million grant to the MCCD to enable a 173 acre land acquisition adjacent to the existing conservation area.[2]
In 2022, the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation awarded a $2.9 million grant to the MCCD to enable a 235 acre land acquisition adjacent to the existing conservation area.[3]
The nearest major highway is Illinois Route 121, southeast of Decatur.
In June 2023, the Macon County Conservation District acquired the 5 acre parcel containing the Eli Ulery House aka Woodbine Farm. This site has been linsted on the National Register of Historic Places.
2025 Pothole Prairie and Seasonal Wetland Creation
MCCD applied for and was awarded an Open Space Land Acquisition & Development grant (OS-24-2517) by IDNR in 2024 in the amount of $600k. This project involves converting old farmland acquired in 2023 by the district into a unique pothole prairie ecosystem. A pothole prairie is a habitat characterized by many small, shallow wetlands surrounded by prairie. The district plans to add new trails, access point, and educational, interpretive signage in this area.[4][5]