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J.T. Nickel Family Nature & Wildlife Preserve | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The J.T. Nickel family has donated the 15,000-acre J-5 Ranch, in the western edge of the Ozark eco-region, to The Nature Conservancy. Adjoining the Illinois River in eastern Oklahoma, the ranch encompasses portions of four Ozark stream watersheds, and is dominated by pine and oak forest, as well as significant areas of oak savanna and Tallgrass prairie. The ranch is particularly unique for its extensive, high quality rocky glade communities, and pristine water quality. Self-guided trail information is available at the preserve headquarters. The J. T. Nickel Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve is the largest privately protected conservation area in the Ozarks. The preserve was formed in 2000 as the result of a land gift from the John Nickel Family. This 15,000-acre landscape rests in eastern Oklahoma's rolling Cookson Hills and overlooks the Illinois River. Spring-fed creeks meander amid a rugged topography of steep slopes and narrow valleys harboring a mosaic of oak-hickory forest, lofty pine woodland, and a diverse mix of savanna, shrub land, and prairie. The preserve provides optimal habitat for a suite of uncommon breeding bird species, including some whose survival requires large blocks of intact habitat. General Info: Free Admission Days/Hours Open: Trails open daily during daylight hours. Office staffed Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Directions: From Tahlequah, follow Hwy 51 E about 2 miles to Hwy 10. Turn N and go 10 miles to Eagle Bluff. Turn right on the county road just past the blue and orange flags at Eagle Bluff. Cross over Comb's Bridge, go 1/2 mile and stay to the right at the split in the road. Proceed about a quarter mile and turn left on the county road. Follow this road E to cross through the preserve (about 6 miles). Highway Corridor: I-40, I-44 Group Contact: Chris Wilson |
