View source for Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve

'''Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve''' is a unit of the [[Forest Preserve District of Will County]] located in Crete Township in [[Will County, Illinois]]. The closest town is [[Crete, Illinois]]. The preserve covers {{convert|898|acre|km2}} and contains {{convert|4|mi|km}} of trails and a man-made {{convert|40|ft|m|adj=on}} hill which is a sledding hill in the winter.<ref name=":0" />
Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve contains mostly woods, but has some prairie. It is moderately hilly with one small pond. Plum Creek crosses the preserve.
Amenities include primitive campsites, picnic shelters available for reservation, and an ice-skating pond when conditions allow.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve|url=https://reconnectwithnature.org/Preserves-Trails/Preserves/Goodenow-Grove|access-date=2021-05-07|website=Forest Preserve District of Will County|language=en-US}}</ref>
In 1996, Goodenow Grove was dedicated as a State Nature Preserve for its diverse ecosystems, including forests, floodplain, seeps, savanna, prairies, meadows, and marshes. The nature preserve provides protection for the habitat of state-threatened or [[endangered species]], including the eastern [[massasauga rattlesnake]], the spotted coral root orchid, and more.<ref name=":0" />
==Plum Creek Nature Center==
The nature preserve features the Plum Creek Nature Center, one of several [[nature center]]s and visitor centers operated by the Forest Preserve District of Will County.  The Center features hands-on nature exhibits.  Outside there is a natural playscape for outdoor educational experiences including a pollinator garden, [[rain garden]] and interactive play elements. There is also a bird observation area, including birdhouses fitted with "Spy-On-A-Bird" cameras.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/preserves/goodenow-grove Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve]
* [https://www.reconnectwithnature.org/preserves-trails/visitor-centers/plum-creek-nature-center Plum Creek Nature Center]
{{coord|41.404|-87.602|dim:3000_region:US-IL|display=title}}
[[Category:Nature reserves in Illinois]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Will County, Illinois]]
[[Category:Nature centers in Illinois]]