Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nature & parks
- In Springfield, Illinois
- 1.3 mi from Route 66
Adams Wildlife Sanctuary in Springfield, IL, is a 40-acre preserve that serves as the Illinois Audubon Society's headquarters. Second-growth woods and restored tallgrass prairie there are tended to draw as many kinds of city wildlife as possible. Only about 0.5 mile off the old road, it offers a green break from Route 66 traffic and a small taste of restored prairie in the middle of the state capital.
What is Adams Wildlife Sanctuary?
The sanctuary combines two habitats on one parcel. Part of the land is second-growth forest, and part is tallgrass prairie that has been restored. Both are managed with one goal: to attract the widest possible variety of the wildlife that lives in and passes through the city.
The property also holds the headquarters building of the Illinois Audubon Society, which owns and manages the land. It is both a wildlife refuge and a garden, which suits a place where the plants matter as much as the animals.
History of Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
The full name is the Margery Adams Wildlife Sanctuary. It honors Margery Adams, who gave the property to the Illinois Audubon Society, and the society has used it both as its base and as a showcase for habitat care inside a city.
Visiting Adams Wildlife Sanctuary: tips
The sanctuary is about 0.5 mile off the old road, close enough for a short nature break between Springfield's historic sites. It is listed as wheelchair accessible and good for kids. Allow 30 minutes to an hour for a walk. Visiting days are limited, so check the Illinois Audubon Society website first.
Nearby, the Lincoln Colored Home is about 1.2 miles away, and the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and the Lincoln Home National Historic Site are each about 1.4 miles. That makes the sanctuary an easy add-on to a day of Lincoln sites downtown, and a quiet contrast to the busy streets around them.
Practical info
- Address
- 2315 Clear Lake Avenue, Springfield, Illinois 62704
- Phone
- +1 217-544-5781
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 9–4:30
- On site & nearby
Sources: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · Wikidata · official site — may be outdated. Suggest a fix
Where to eat near Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
All diners on Route 66 →
On the map
Full mapAdams Wildlife Sanctuary with the 6 closest stops and places to eat (fork and knife). Tap a marker for details.
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Stops near Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
All of Illinois
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1.4 mi from Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
1.4 mi from Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
1.5 mi from Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
1.6 mi from Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
1.6 mi from Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
Questions about Adams Wildlife Sanctuary
Who runs Adams Wildlife Sanctuary?
The Illinois Audubon Society owns and manages it and keeps its headquarters there.
How big is the sanctuary?
About 40 acres, with second-growth forest and restored tallgrass prairie.
Own or run Adams Wildlife Sanctuary? Send us a photo or a correction.