Weiler-Leopold
Nature Reserve
Natural Areas: Weiler-Leopold Nature Reserve
State Designated Nature Preserve [#266; 2015]
Prairie. Click to enlarge
Weiler-Leopold Nature Reserve is west of Black Rock Barrens and has a substantially different appearance. The Ron Bogard Trail is a loop with ten numbered stations; be sure to pick up a brochure. You’ll begin by passing through a large restored prairie, planted to native grasses in 2000 and various other native plants since. After a couple of hundred yards, the path enters oak savanna habitat – broken tree cover, with grasses and other vegetation below. Watch for some white oaks, but not the tall skinny sort found in forests. These individuals had the space and sunlight to grow laterally and took advantage. The trail passes through a seasonally wet meadow where numerous seeps seem to keep the path permanently soggy. Before long, the trail turns back to the north, crosses the prairie again, and returns to the parking area.
Woodland. Click to enlarge
Trail Map
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Directions
Warren County. From the hamlet of Independence, go northeast 3.4 miles on Independence Road to a parking area on the right (south).
GPS: N 40 21.554 W 87 06.964
Facilities
None
Finder Sketch
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Nearby Natural Areas (miles)
Black Rock Barrens (0.0)
Granville Sand Barrens (10.5)
Mulvey Pond (13.4)
Horticultural Park (14.2)
Shawnee Bottoms (16.8)
Rock Creek Nature Preserve (17.3)