Springdale Savanna

Springdale Cemetery Savanna is a rare remnant of tallgrass oak savanna, a natural community that was once dominant along parts of the Illinois River Bluffs. This savanna developed with the recession of glaciers following the Pleistocene epoch 10,000 years ago; it later greeted early French traders and explorers to Peoria in the 18th century.

Tallgrass oak savanna is somewhat of a transition between prairie and open woodland communities. Three-hundred-year-old white oak trees provide shady habitat in between large open areas of tall grasses, forbs, and shrubs.

The earliest reference to the significance of Springdale Savanna is Charles Ballance's 1870 The History of Peoria, Illinois, where he is troubled by "the march of improvement" in the form of the destruction of the natural landscape and commends the superintendent of Springdale Cemetery, Capt. John H. Hall, as he "...has set apart a portion of that lovely place, which associates so much sadness and beauty, for the preservation of Nature's own flora."

The savanna has historically sheltered many diverse and uncommon species; thousands of volunteer hours over the past fifteen years have resulted in the recovery of some of the savanna's former glory. Further restoration of the native biological diversity continues.

For more information contact Michael Brown at 309-828-4687 or peoriawilds@gmail.com.