Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area
| Company type | Public protected area |
|---|---|
| Industry | Conservation, Wildlife management, Recreation |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Cass County , United States |
| Owner | Illinois Department of Natural Resources |
The Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area (JEPC) is a protected region located in Cass County, Illinois, overseen by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This area encompasses a combination of upland prairie and the forested Panther Creek watershed, which is drained by the Sangamon River. The site bears the name of former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar.
History
The Panther Creek basin was originally within the Illinois Confederacy lands and saw settlement by the 1850s, largely due to its location near the historic Springfield-Beardstown route (currently Illinois Route 125), making it desirable agricultural land.
From 1968 until 1974, the Chicago-based utility company Commonwealth Edison purchased this territory intending to develop a coal-fired power station with an adjoining cooling pond, labeling it "Site M." The proposed plant was designed to utilize high-sulfur coal sourced from Illinois. However, after the enactment of the federal Clean Air Act, the economic feasibility of burning Illinois coal diminished throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Commonwealth Edison retained ownership until transferring the property to the state of Illinois in 1993.
JEPC today
In June 1993, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources took possession of "Site M," which later became the foundation of what was renamed Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area in 2001, commemorating Governor Jim Edgar (1991–1999).
Of JEPC’s total acreage, portions are allocated to open space, woodland, and production farmland. The agricultural land is leased to local farmers—a practice that has generated some debate. Under Illinois law, unauthorized entry onto production farmland within JEPC may lead to charges up to a Class B misdemeanor.
JEPC covers more than half of Panther Creek Township in Cass County. Maintaining active farmland within JEPC supports local property tax revenues that benefit schools and government entities, thus striking a balance between conservation efforts and community economic needs.
JEPC open space
The open space at JEPC is managed to support species including mourning doves, pheasants, quail, snipe, woodcock, and rabbit. This is achieved through carefully planned rotations of grasses, sunflower crops, and wheat to sustain these populations for hunting under Illinois-issued licenses.
Within the property are several natural ponds alongside man-made lakes stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish, and typical Illinois farm-pond panfish such as bluegill (the state fish) and green sunfish. Additionally, Prairie Lake contains stocked populations of muskellunge.
Around 175 acres inside JEPC are designated as the Cox Creek Hill Prairie State Natural Area, preserving remnants of upland hill prairie habitat. This zone has documented sightings of 87 bird species. In 2004, Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area received recognition as an Important Bird Area of Illinois.
JEPC woodland
The woodland sections within Jim Edgar Panther Creek are primarily managed for game such as white-tailed deer and wild turkey. The area also provides habitat for fur-bearing animals including coyotes, raccoons, opossums, red foxes, gray foxes, and striped skunks, all available for hunting with appropriate Illinois licenses.