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Sielbeck Forest Natural Area

1812 Grinnell Road

Belknap, IL 62908

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Visitors to Sielbeck Forest pass through bottomland hardwood forest and a forested swamp mirroring the wilderness documented by public land surveyors in 1807. This island of somber, gray timber once was part of the Big Black Slough, a wetland-rich floodplain that once covered thousands of acres in Massac, Pope and Johnson counties in southern Illinois.

Today, nearly all of this part of the Ohio River floodplain has been drained, cleared and tiled to feed a world hungry for corn, wheat and soybeans. Despite the insatiable appetite of plow, ax and saw, this tract of land remains largely undisturbed.

ActivitiesFishingFishing is allowed on the two small ponds, with largemouth bass and bluegill the predominant species.Hiking (but no trails)While hiking around the area one can see some of the enormous trees protected by the Sielbeck family and state. No trails, day use area, or major improvements exist or are planned as a means of keeping the area natural as possible. After the reforestation project is completed converting all row-crop fields back into trees, fields and wood lots will be allowed to revert back to their natural state.HuntingHunting species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.Two hunter sign-in boxes are available at the southernmost entrance parking lot and on the northwest corner parking lot on Upper Salem Road. Deer hunters can obtain a deer hunter's packet, which allows hunting on both Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area without signing in each time they hunt.

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AARP Events for Belknap

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  Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT

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• The Healing Art of Qigong: Try Our Gentle Home Workout

  Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT

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• Fitness: Learn the Ancient Art of Tai Chi

  Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. CT

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											<div>1812 Grinnell Road</div>
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							<span>Belknap</span>,
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												<span>62908</span>
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						<p style="text-align: justify;">Visitors to Sielbeck Forest pass through bottomland hardwood forest and a forested swamp mirroring the wilderness documented by public land surveyors in 1807. This island of somber, gray timber once was part of the Big Black Slough, a wetland-rich floodplain that once covered thousands of acres in Massac, Pope and Johnson counties in southern Illinois.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today, nearly all of this part of the Ohio River floodplain has been drained, cleared and tiled to feed a world hungry for corn, wheat and soybeans. Despite the insatiable appetite of plow, ax and saw, this tract of land remains largely undisturbed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">ActivitiesFishingFishing is allowed on the two small ponds, with largemouth bass and bluegill the predominant species.Hiking (but no trails)While hiking around the area one can see some of the enormous trees protected by the Sielbeck family and state. No trails, day use area, or major improvements exist or are planned as a means of keeping the area natural as possible. After the reforestation project is completed converting all row-crop fields back into trees, fields and wood lots will be allowed to revert back to their natural state.HuntingHunting species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.Two hunter sign-in boxes are available at the southernmost entrance parking lot and on the northwest corner parking lot on Upper Salem Road. Deer hunters can obtain a deer hunter's packet, which allows hunting on both Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area without signing in each time they hunt.</p>		</div>
		

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											<div>1812 Grinnell Road</div>
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							<span>Belknap</span>,
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												<span>62908</span>
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						<p style="text-align: justify;">Visitors to Sielbeck Forest pass through bottomland hardwood forest and a forested swamp mirroring the wilderness documented by public land surveyors in 1807. This island of somber, gray timber once was part of the Big Black Slough, a wetland-rich floodplain that once covered thousands of acres in Massac, Pope and Johnson counties in southern Illinois.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today, nearly all of this part of the Ohio River floodplain has been drained, cleared and tiled to feed a world hungry for corn, wheat and soybeans. Despite the insatiable appetite of plow, ax and saw, this tract of land remains largely undisturbed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">ActivitiesFishingFishing is allowed on the two small ponds, with largemouth bass and bluegill the predominant species.Hiking (but no trails)While hiking around the area one can see some of the enormous trees protected by the Sielbeck family and state. No trails, day use area, or major improvements exist or are planned as a means of keeping the area natural as possible. After the reforestation project is completed converting all row-crop fields back into trees, fields and wood lots will be allowed to revert back to their natural state.HuntingHunting species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.Two hunter sign-in boxes are available at the southernmost entrance parking lot and on the northwest corner parking lot on Upper Salem Road. Deer hunters can obtain a deer hunter's packet, which allows hunting on both Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area without signing in each time they hunt.</p>		</div>
		

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							<span>Belknap</span>,
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												<span>62908</span>
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						<p style="text-align: justify;">Visitors to Sielbeck Forest pass through bottomland hardwood forest and a forested swamp mirroring the wilderness documented by public land surveyors in 1807. This island of somber, gray timber once was part of the Big Black Slough, a wetland-rich floodplain that once covered thousands of acres in Massac, Pope and Johnson counties in southern Illinois.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today, nearly all of this part of the Ohio River floodplain has been drained, cleared and tiled to feed a world hungry for corn, wheat and soybeans. Despite the insatiable appetite of plow, ax and saw, this tract of land remains largely undisturbed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">ActivitiesFishingFishing is allowed on the two small ponds, with largemouth bass and bluegill the predominant species.Hiking (but no trails)While hiking around the area one can see some of the enormous trees protected by the Sielbeck family and state. No trails, day use area, or major improvements exist or are planned as a means of keeping the area natural as possible. After the reforestation project is completed converting all row-crop fields back into trees, fields and wood lots will be allowed to revert back to their natural state.HuntingHunting species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.Two hunter sign-in boxes are available at the southernmost entrance parking lot and on the northwest corner parking lot on Upper Salem Road. Deer hunters can obtain a deer hunter's packet, which allows hunting on both Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area without signing in each time they hunt.</p>		</div>
		

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						<p style="text-align: justify;">Visitors to Sielbeck Forest pass through bottomland hardwood forest and a forested swamp mirroring the wilderness documented by public land surveyors in 1807. This island of somber, gray timber once was part of the Big Black Slough, a wetland-rich floodplain that once covered thousands of acres in Massac, Pope and Johnson counties in southern Illinois.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today, nearly all of this part of the Ohio River floodplain has been drained, cleared and tiled to feed a world hungry for corn, wheat and soybeans. Despite the insatiable appetite of plow, ax and saw, this tract of land remains largely undisturbed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">ActivitiesFishingFishing is allowed on the two small ponds, with largemouth bass and bluegill the predominant species.Hiking (but no trails)While hiking around the area one can see some of the enormous trees protected by the Sielbeck family and state. No trails, day use area, or major improvements exist or are planned as a means of keeping the area natural as possible. After the reforestation project is completed converting all row-crop fields back into trees, fields and wood lots will be allowed to revert back to their natural state.HuntingHunting species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.Two hunter sign-in boxes are available at the southernmost entrance parking lot and on the northwest corner parking lot on Upper Salem Road. Deer hunters can obtain a deer hunter's packet, which allows hunting on both Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area without signing in each time they hunt.</p>		</div>
		

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											<div>1812 Grinnell Road</div>
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							<span>Belknap</span>,
							<span>IL</span>
												<span>62908</span>
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						<p style="text-align: justify;">Visitors to Sielbeck Forest pass through bottomland hardwood forest and a forested swamp mirroring the wilderness documented by public land surveyors in 1807. This island of somber, gray timber once was part of the Big Black Slough, a wetland-rich floodplain that once covered thousands of acres in Massac, Pope and Johnson counties in southern Illinois.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today, nearly all of this part of the Ohio River floodplain has been drained, cleared and tiled to feed a world hungry for corn, wheat and soybeans. Despite the insatiable appetite of plow, ax and saw, this tract of land remains largely undisturbed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">ActivitiesFishingFishing is allowed on the two small ponds, with largemouth bass and bluegill the predominant species.Hiking (but no trails)While hiking around the area one can see some of the enormous trees protected by the Sielbeck family and state. No trails, day use area, or major improvements exist or are planned as a means of keeping the area natural as possible. After the reforestation project is completed converting all row-crop fields back into trees, fields and wood lots will be allowed to revert back to their natural state.HuntingHunting species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.Two hunter sign-in boxes are available at the southernmost entrance parking lot and on the northwest corner parking lot on Upper Salem Road. Deer hunters can obtain a deer hunter's packet, which allows hunting on both Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area without signing in each time they hunt.</p>		</div>
		

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							<span>Belknap</span>,
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												<span>62908</span>
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						<p style="text-align: justify;">Visitors to Sielbeck Forest pass through bottomland hardwood forest and a forested swamp mirroring the wilderness documented by public land surveyors in 1807. This island of somber, gray timber once was part of the Big Black Slough, a wetland-rich floodplain that once covered thousands of acres in Massac, Pope and Johnson counties in southern Illinois.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today, nearly all of this part of the Ohio River floodplain has been drained, cleared and tiled to feed a world hungry for corn, wheat and soybeans. Despite the insatiable appetite of plow, ax and saw, this tract of land remains largely undisturbed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">ActivitiesFishingFishing is allowed on the two small ponds, with largemouth bass and bluegill the predominant species.Hiking (but no trails)While hiking around the area one can see some of the enormous trees protected by the Sielbeck family and state. No trails, day use area, or major improvements exist or are planned as a means of keeping the area natural as possible. After the reforestation project is completed converting all row-crop fields back into trees, fields and wood lots will be allowed to revert back to their natural state.HuntingHunting species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.Two hunter sign-in boxes are available at the southernmost entrance parking lot and on the northwest corner parking lot on Upper Salem Road. Deer hunters can obtain a deer hunter's packet, which allows hunting on both Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area without signing in each time they hunt.</p>		</div>
		

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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]
Code Context
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                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
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		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Sielbeck Forest Natural Area</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>1812 Grinnell Road</div>
											<div>
							<span>Belknap</span>,
							<span>IL</span>
												<span>62908</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/SielbeckForest.aspx" target="_blank">Visit Website</a>
								</div>
								
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				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p style="text-align: justify;">Visitors to Sielbeck Forest pass through bottomland hardwood forest and a forested swamp mirroring the wilderness documented by public land surveyors in 1807. This island of somber, gray timber once was part of the Big Black Slough, a wetland-rich floodplain that once covered thousands of acres in Massac, Pope and Johnson counties in southern Illinois.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today, nearly all of this part of the Ohio River floodplain has been drained, cleared and tiled to feed a world hungry for corn, wheat and soybeans. Despite the insatiable appetite of plow, ax and saw, this tract of land remains largely undisturbed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">ActivitiesFishingFishing is allowed on the two small ponds, with largemouth bass and bluegill the predominant species.Hiking (but no trails)While hiking around the area one can see some of the enormous trees protected by the Sielbeck family and state. No trails, day use area, or major improvements exist or are planned as a means of keeping the area natural as possible. After the reforestation project is completed converting all row-crop fields back into trees, fields and wood lots will be allowed to revert back to their natural state.HuntingHunting species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.Two hunter sign-in boxes are available at the southernmost entrance parking lot and on the northwest corner parking lot on Upper Salem Road. Deer hunters can obtain a deer hunter's packet, which allows hunting on both Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area without signing in each time they hunt.</p>		</div>
		

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	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
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		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Belknap</h2>
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					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilbalanced-living-active-balance-exercise-class-for-a-healthier-you-virtual-123124-73nd2cvj5q4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ACTIVE-BALANCE-EXERCISE-CLASS-FOR-A-HEALTHIER-YOU">Active Balance Exercise Class for a Healthier You</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 10:00&nbsp;a.m. CT</p>
					<p class="venue">Facebook and YouTube</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-qigong-with-nate-12272024-64n6nsqv839.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-THE-HEALING-ART-OF-QIGONG-TRY-OUR-GENTLE-HOME-WORKOUT">The Healing Art of Qigong: Try Our Gentle Home Workout</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 12:00&nbsp;p.m. CT</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ak-tai-chi-with-mitch-for-strength-balance-and-relaxation-december-2024-anchorage-alaska-120624-fynwlvss9k5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-LEARN-THE-ANCIENT-ART-OF-TAI-CHI">Fitness: Learn the Ancient Art of Tai Chi</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 5:00&nbsp;p.m. CT</p>
					<p class="venue">Zoom</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/belknap-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
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		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
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</div>
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<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
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<h2>Contact AARP<br />Illinois</h2>
</header>
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<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
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<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ILAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ILAARP@aarp.org</a></li>
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		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Sielbeck Forest Natural Area</h1></header>

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				<p>
					<div>
											<div>1812 Grinnell Road</div>
											<div>
							<span>Belknap</span>,
							<span>IL</span>
												<span>62908</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/SielbeckForest.aspx" target="_blank">Visit Website</a>
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				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p style="text-align: justify;">Visitors to Sielbeck Forest pass through bottomland hardwood forest and a forested swamp mirroring the wilderness documented by public land surveyors in 1807. This island of somber, gray timber once was part of the Big Black Slough, a wetland-rich floodplain that once covered thousands of acres in Massac, Pope and Johnson counties in southern Illinois.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today, nearly all of this part of the Ohio River floodplain has been drained, cleared and tiled to feed a world hungry for corn, wheat and soybeans. Despite the insatiable appetite of plow, ax and saw, this tract of land remains largely undisturbed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">ActivitiesFishingFishing is allowed on the two small ponds, with largemouth bass and bluegill the predominant species.Hiking (but no trails)While hiking around the area one can see some of the enormous trees protected by the Sielbeck family and state. No trails, day use area, or major improvements exist or are planned as a means of keeping the area natural as possible. After the reforestation project is completed converting all row-crop fields back into trees, fields and wood lots will be allowed to revert back to their natural state.HuntingHunting species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.Two hunter sign-in boxes are available at the southernmost entrance parking lot and on the northwest corner parking lot on Upper Salem Road. Deer hunters can obtain a deer hunter's packet, which allows hunting on both Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area without signing in each time they hunt.</p>		</div>
		

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	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
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		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Belknap</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Belknap</h2>
	</header>
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		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
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											<div>1812 Grinnell Road</div>
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							<span>Belknap</span>,
							<span>IL</span>
												<span>62908</span>
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						<p style="text-align: justify;">Visitors to Sielbeck Forest pass through bottomland hardwood forest and a forested swamp mirroring the wilderness documented by public land surveyors in 1807. This island of somber, gray timber once was part of the Big Black Slough, a wetland-rich floodplain that once covered thousands of acres in Massac, Pope and Johnson counties in southern Illinois.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today, nearly all of this part of the Ohio River floodplain has been drained, cleared and tiled to feed a world hungry for corn, wheat and soybeans. Despite the insatiable appetite of plow, ax and saw, this tract of land remains largely undisturbed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">ActivitiesFishingFishing is allowed on the two small ponds, with largemouth bass and bluegill the predominant species.Hiking (but no trails)While hiking around the area one can see some of the enormous trees protected by the Sielbeck family and state. No trails, day use area, or major improvements exist or are planned as a means of keeping the area natural as possible. After the reforestation project is completed converting all row-crop fields back into trees, fields and wood lots will be allowed to revert back to their natural state.HuntingHunting species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.Two hunter sign-in boxes are available at the southernmost entrance parking lot and on the northwest corner parking lot on Upper Salem Road. Deer hunters can obtain a deer hunter's packet, which allows hunting on both Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area without signing in each time they hunt.</p>		</div>
		

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							<span>Belknap</span>,
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						<p style="text-align: justify;">Visitors to Sielbeck Forest pass through bottomland hardwood forest and a forested swamp mirroring the wilderness documented by public land surveyors in 1807. This island of somber, gray timber once was part of the Big Black Slough, a wetland-rich floodplain that once covered thousands of acres in Massac, Pope and Johnson counties in southern Illinois.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today, nearly all of this part of the Ohio River floodplain has been drained, cleared and tiled to feed a world hungry for corn, wheat and soybeans. Despite the insatiable appetite of plow, ax and saw, this tract of land remains largely undisturbed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">ActivitiesFishingFishing is allowed on the two small ponds, with largemouth bass and bluegill the predominant species.Hiking (but no trails)While hiking around the area one can see some of the enormous trees protected by the Sielbeck family and state. No trails, day use area, or major improvements exist or are planned as a means of keeping the area natural as possible. After the reforestation project is completed converting all row-crop fields back into trees, fields and wood lots will be allowed to revert back to their natural state.HuntingHunting species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.Two hunter sign-in boxes are available at the southernmost entrance parking lot and on the northwest corner parking lot on Upper Salem Road. Deer hunters can obtain a deer hunter's packet, which allows hunting on both Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area without signing in each time they hunt.</p>		</div>
		

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											<div>1812 Grinnell Road</div>
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							<span>Belknap</span>,
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												<span>62908</span>
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						<p style="text-align: justify;">Visitors to Sielbeck Forest pass through bottomland hardwood forest and a forested swamp mirroring the wilderness documented by public land surveyors in 1807. This island of somber, gray timber once was part of the Big Black Slough, a wetland-rich floodplain that once covered thousands of acres in Massac, Pope and Johnson counties in southern Illinois.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today, nearly all of this part of the Ohio River floodplain has been drained, cleared and tiled to feed a world hungry for corn, wheat and soybeans. Despite the insatiable appetite of plow, ax and saw, this tract of land remains largely undisturbed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">ActivitiesFishingFishing is allowed on the two small ponds, with largemouth bass and bluegill the predominant species.Hiking (but no trails)While hiking around the area one can see some of the enormous trees protected by the Sielbeck family and state. No trails, day use area, or major improvements exist or are planned as a means of keeping the area natural as possible. After the reforestation project is completed converting all row-crop fields back into trees, fields and wood lots will be allowed to revert back to their natural state.HuntingHunting species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.Two hunter sign-in boxes are available at the southernmost entrance parking lot and on the northwest corner parking lot on Upper Salem Road. Deer hunters can obtain a deer hunter's packet, which allows hunting on both Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area without signing in each time they hunt.</p>		</div>
		

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											<div>1812 Grinnell Road</div>
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							<span>Belknap</span>,
							<span>IL</span>
												<span>62908</span>
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						<p style="text-align: justify;">Visitors to Sielbeck Forest pass through bottomland hardwood forest and a forested swamp mirroring the wilderness documented by public land surveyors in 1807. This island of somber, gray timber once was part of the Big Black Slough, a wetland-rich floodplain that once covered thousands of acres in Massac, Pope and Johnson counties in southern Illinois.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today, nearly all of this part of the Ohio River floodplain has been drained, cleared and tiled to feed a world hungry for corn, wheat and soybeans. Despite the insatiable appetite of plow, ax and saw, this tract of land remains largely undisturbed.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">ActivitiesFishingFishing is allowed on the two small ponds, with largemouth bass and bluegill the predominant species.Hiking (but no trails)While hiking around the area one can see some of the enormous trees protected by the Sielbeck family and state. No trails, day use area, or major improvements exist or are planned as a means of keeping the area natural as possible. After the reforestation project is completed converting all row-crop fields back into trees, fields and wood lots will be allowed to revert back to their natural state.HuntingHunting species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.species such as deer, squirrel, dove, rabbit, quail, waterfowl and turkey is allowed on the area. Statewide hunting regulations apply. No night hunting of any type is allowed.Two hunter sign-in boxes are available at the southernmost entrance parking lot and on the northwest corner parking lot on Upper Salem Road. Deer hunters can obtain a deer hunter's packet, which allows hunting on both Mermet Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area and Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area without signing in each time they hunt.</p>		</div>
		

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include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
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View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
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Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501
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