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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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  A Discussion about Building Wealth

  Tuesday, Nov 12, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT

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• Featured Event

  Cheers to "Second Acts": Pursuing Your Passion as a Career

  Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. CT

  AARP IL Facebook & YouTube, Links TBA

  Online Event

• Featured Event

  Calm in the Chaos: Holiday Stress Management for Caregivers

  Monday, Nov 18, 2024 at 10:00 a.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>,
							<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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											<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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						<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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										<a href="https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/SielbeckForest.aspx" target="_blank">Visit Website</a>
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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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										<a href="https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/SielbeckForest.aspx" target="_blank">Visit Website</a>
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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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							<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.resource.footer.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]
Code Context
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		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Sielbeck Forest Natural Area</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
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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>
								</div>
								
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			<div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer">
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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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		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Belknap</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Belknap</h2>
	</header>
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					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-il-conversations-with-chicago-leaders-a-discussion-about-building-wealth-and-the-future-of-social-security-111224-virtual-j3n5n2kyn2v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-DISCUSSION-ABOUT-BUILDING-WEALTH">A Discussion about Building Wealth</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Tuesday, Nov 12, 2024 at 12:00&nbsp;p.m. CT</p>
					<p class="venue">AARP IL Facebook & YouTube, Links TBA</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-il-cheers-to-second-acts-pursuing-your-passion-as-a-career-111324-virtual-nxn5xwd77pf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CHEERS-TO-SECOND-ACTS-PURSUING-YOUR-PASSION-AS-A-CAREER">Cheers to "Second Acts": Pursuing Your Passion as a Career</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. CT</p>
					<p class="venue">AARP IL Facebook & YouTube, Links TBA</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-il-calm-in-the-chaos-holiday-stress-management-for-caregivers-111824-virtual-jtnkf9xq23v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CALM-IN-THE-CHAOS-HOLIDAY-STRESS-MANAGEMENT-FOR-CAREGIVERS">Calm in the Chaos: Holiday Stress Management for Caregivers</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Monday, Nov 18, 2024 at 10:00&nbsp;a.m. CT</p>
					<p class="venue">AARP IL Facebook & YouTube, Links TBA</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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<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
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<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
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<h2>Contact AARP<br />Illinois</h2>
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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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											<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>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
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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>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Belknap</h2>
	</header>
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										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-il-conversations-with-chicago-leaders-a-discussion-about-building-wealth-and-the-future-of-social-security-111224-virtual-j3n5n2kyn2v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-A-DISCUSSION-ABOUT-BUILDING-WEALTH">A Discussion about Building Wealth</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Tuesday, Nov 12, 2024 at 12:00&nbsp;p.m. CT</p>
					<p class="venue">AARP IL Facebook & YouTube, Links TBA</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-il-cheers-to-second-acts-pursuing-your-passion-as-a-career-111324-virtual-nxn5xwd77pf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CHEERS-TO-SECOND-ACTS-PURSUING-YOUR-PASSION-AS-A-CAREER">Cheers to "Second Acts": Pursuing Your Passion as a Career</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. CT</p>
					<p class="venue">AARP IL Facebook & YouTube, Links TBA</p>
					<p class="loc">Online Event</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-il-calm-in-the-chaos-holiday-stress-management-for-caregivers-111824-virtual-jtnkf9xq23v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-CALM-IN-THE-CHAOS-HOLIDAY-STRESS-MANAGEMENT-FOR-CAREGIVERS">Calm in the Chaos: Holiday Stress Management for Caregivers</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Monday, Nov 18, 2024 at 10:00&nbsp;a.m. CT</p>
					<p class="venue">AARP IL Facebook & YouTube, Links TBA</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>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
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                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
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	<div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div>
	<ul class="list">
		<li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li>
		<li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li>
		<li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li>
		<li>FREE second membership</li>
	</ul>
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		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-BELKNAP-IL">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-BELKNAP-IL">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
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<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Illinois Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Illinois Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPIllinois" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true">
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<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP<br />Illinois</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">
<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>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/illinois/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Illinois</a></li>
<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-illinois-contact-us/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-BELKNAP-IL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>


</ul>
</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPIllinois" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
<a href="https://twitter.com/aarpillinois" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a>
&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpillinoisjoy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a>


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include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
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
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118