Collinson Ecological Preserve is about eight miles south of campus in Milan, Ill. With a driving time of 20 minutes from campus it is convenient for shorter field trips.
Encompassing 67 acres of upland forests and two high quality hill prairies, Collinson was purchased from the Nature Conservancy in 1992 with a gift from the Collinson Stone Company.
In 2007, the hill prairies were formally dedicated as the Josua Lindahl Hill Prairies Nature Preserve by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.
From U.S. 67 in Milan turn east onto Knoxville Road and at the first stop light follow Knoxville Road up a long sloping hill south to 83rd Avenue. The main entrance to the preserve is one third mile west on this road to the dead-end sign where the college property begins.
Mill Creek comprises the western boundary of the Collinson preserve, and across the creek lies the Collinson Stone Company.