March Featured Sites
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission 60th Anniversary
Sweet Fern Savanna Land and Water Reserve
Sweet Fern Savanna is a Land and Water Reserve in Kankakee County originally registered in 2001. There have been 11 individual additions registered over the past 20 years and, altogether, the site is comprised of 168 acres. The most recent addition occurred in January 2023.
This site is included on the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory for its high-quality dry-mesic sand savanna. It's also is known to provide habitat for 18 state-listed species, which is the largest number of threatened and endangered species found on any site in the Nature Preserves System owned by a private individual.
Sweet Fern Savanna harbors an incredible assemblage of biological diversity characteristic of the Kankakee Sands, much of which is exclusive to Pembroke Township. This site's biological quality and diversity is a testament to previous and current landowners' stewardship of the land.
Dr. Marianne Hahn at Sweet Fern Savanna Land and Water Reserve
Land Ownership
Dr. Marianne Hahn is the primary landowner. She made her original purchase of (and subsequent additions to) Sweet Fern Savanna with the sole intent of preserving its natural features for future generations. The Nature Conservancy is another landowner which owns two small tracts of the Reserve. Additions to Sweet Fern Savanna provide buffer and restore hydrology to aid in the restoration of wetlands, wet sand prairie, and sedge meadow communities on site.
Natural Division
Sweet Fern Savanna exhibits many classic features of the Kankakee Sand Area Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division (#4e). One of the most visible features of Sweet Fern Savanna and Pembroke Township is the presence and abundance of sand dunes which support black oak sand savanna. These dunes were formed over the millennia after the Kankakee Torrent, a giant flood which occurred as meltwater eroded land features that held back glacial lakes. After these glacial lakes drained down the Kankakee and Illinois River Valleys, they left behind beach sand which was later blown into the dune formations we see today.
- To learn more about the Natural Divisions in Illinois click here .
Use the interactive map to explore the location of Sweet Fern Savanna Land and Water Reserve within the state of Illinois.
History of Pembroke Township
Division of Land
This site exemplifies the natural and cultural history of Pembroke Township, a multicultural farming community with strong ties to Chicago and the Great Migration of African Americans during the mid-1900's. During this time, much of the land in Pembroke was subdivided into multiple small lots, and used for residential purposes, subsistence farming, and grazing. Some lots were never inhabited, and many were farmed only intermittently or used as a firewood source. Many lots were left nearly undisturbed.
Wildfires
The occurrence of wildfires in dry, sand country with sustainable harvest of oaks over the past century has maintained the open savannas that persist throughout much of the township today.
Transformation to Prairie
One of the more interesting features of old fields in Pembroke Township that were farmed only intermittently is many of them undergo ecological succession to native prairie after being left fallow, with no seeding or active management. The harsh conditions of the sandy soils and largely native seedbank promote an easy transformation to prairie. Furthermore, many endangered and threatened species which occur in the area are disturbance-adapted plants. Most of the state-listed species which are found at Sweet Fern Savanna have spontaneously occurred in fallow agricultural fields.
Sweet Fern Savanna Land and Water Reserve
Wildlife
Sweet Fern Savanna harbors an amazing assemblage of plant and animal life, with over 1000 species on the Reserve. More than 500 plant species and 500 animal species (most of them insects) have been documented on site.
Pictured: Meadow Beauty (Rhexia virginica)
The site's namesake, Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina), is an aromatic state-endangered shrub found in abundance here. It occurs in only a few locations in Illinois, and Sweet Fern Savanna is the largest population.
Pictured: Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi)
In Illinois, Primrose Violet (Viola primulifolia) and Clustered Oval Sedge (Carex cumulata) are state-endangered species found only in the Kankakee Sands, and are quite common at Sweet Fern Savanna.
Pictured: Bird's Foot Violet (Viola pedata)
Typical birds that nest here include the red-headed woodpecker, mockingbird, northern bobwhite, common nighthawk, and eastern towhee.
Pictured: Slender Dayflower (Commelina erecta)
Red Headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
Notable reptiles include the bullsnake, slender glass lizard, eastern hognose snake, and the state-threatened ornate box turtle.
Pictured: Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata)
More than 300 species of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) have been documented at Sweet Fern Savanna after only one full season of surveying.
Pictured: Goat's Rue (Galega officinalis)
Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia)
Management
Prescribed Burn at Sweet Fern Savanna Land and Water Reserve
Prescribed fire is the most important tool for maintaining the open structure of the savanna. The savanna community itself and endangered plant species which occur on site all require open structure with minimal shade. While invasive species such as bush honeysuckle, reed canary grass, sweet clover, and black locust are found here, they are in isolated areas and under good control. Most stewardship activities focus on controlling succession, by thinning oaks, and controlling quaking aspen, sassafras, and black cherry. With so many disturbance-adapted rare species found in the old fields of Sweet Fern Savanna, management includes deliberately disturbing strips of soil and monitoring ecological succession as well as the response of rare, threatened, and endangered species.
Visiting
Since the site is privately owned, it is not generally open to the public. However, Dr. Marianne Hahn welcomes respectful visitors who remain on trail. If you wish to visit the site, contact Kim Roman, INPC Field Representative at kim.roman@illinois.gov for additional information about access.
Contributor: Kim Roman
Editor: Heather McLean
Prospect Cemetery Prairie Nature Preserve
Prospect Cemetery Prairie is a five-acre privately-owned Nature Preserve dedicated in 1976. Ownership of the site was transferred from Patton Township to Grand Prairie Friends , a conservation land trust located in east central Illinois, in the fall of 2022. This site is one of the finest examples of mesic prairie in Illinois.
Keep scrolling through the story to view five photos of plant species found on site!
Pale Spiked Lobelia and New Jersey Tea
Plant Diversity
The preserve contains remnant mesic black soil prairie and a diverse plant assemblage with 131 species documented. Such rich diversity is extraordinarily uncommon in Illinois. Some plant species on site do not occur anywhere else in the county.
Flowering Spurge
Location
Prospect Cemetery Prairie is located in Ford County on the south side of Paxton within the Grand Prairie Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division (#4a). The Grand Prairie Division is the largest of the Natural Divisions and occupies the flat terrain in central and northern Illinois. Prairie dominated the vegetation here before plowing converted much of it to cropland.
- To learn more about the Natural Divisions in Illinois click here .
Use the interactive map to explore the location of Prospect Cemetery Prairie Nature Preserve within the state of Illinois.
Lead Plant and Downy Sunflower
History
Established in 1859, Prospect Cemetery was the first cemetery in Ford County. Burials continued on site until 1914 and possibly later. The preserve has a natural appearance in the southern third of the site, where the high quality prairie reflects pre-settlement conditions.
In 2007 the township intended to mow the northern third of the site to maintain burial plots. The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission and Grand Prairie Friends held educational workshops on the ecological significance of this site and were successful in getting local officials to agree the cemetery was best left natural and undisturbed.
Prairie (Green) Milkweed
Future
Invasive species are a danger to all protected sites in the Nature Preserves System; however, the small size of this preserve facilitates control of undesirable vegetation. An emerging and growing concern is herbicide drift . Edges of the preserve have been impacted as the site borders agricultural fields. Continued impacts from herbicide are the greatest threat to this preserve.
Proximity of the Site to Agriculture Fields
Future plans for this site include maintaining management, surveillance, and research.
Pictured: Vegetation Sampling Station - this elevated stands allows identification/counts of prairie plants while minimizing impacts of trampling.
Prairie Phlox
Contributor: John Griesbaum
Editor: Heather McLean
Beall Woods Nature Preserve & Land and Water Reserve
White Oak Staircase at Beall Woods
Beall Woods was dedicated as a Nature Preserve in 1966 followed by a Land and Water Reserve registration in 2002. The entire 374-acre site, owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources , is one of the oldest dedicated Nature Preserves found in Illinois.
The high-quality forests, both the floodplain and the uplands, as well as the mature old-growth forests were the reasons for protection. It is also recognized for its Grade A and B dry-mesic upland forests, wet-mesic floodplain forest, wet floodplain forest, Grade A sandstone cliff community, and populations of the state endangered bloodleaf.
History
Beall Woods was influenced by bedrock and the last two glaciers that invaded the Illinois landscape from the north. The old-growth forest has had some disturbance factors over the last couple hundred years, including cattle and hogs grazing, hunting, and removal of most of the black walnuts.
Pictured: Coffee Creek Rock Overhang
Location
Beall Woods is located near the town of Mount Carmel in Wabash County, adjacent to the Wabash River. The site is traversed by Coffee Creek and one of its tributaries, Sugar Creek. Both creeks are influenced by the water levels of the Wabash River. When the Wabash River is at flood stage, all the lowland of Coffee Creek and Sugar Creek are covered with water, inundating floodplains, and terraces along both streams.
Beall Woods is within the Bottomlands Section of the Wabash River Border Natural Division (#10A).
- To learn more about the Natural Divisions in Illinois click here.
Use the interactive map to explore the location of Beall Woods within the state of Illinois.
Old Growth Forests
Beall Woods is one of few, if not the best, remnant forest representation of an historic old growth forest that was once associated with the Lower Wabash River Valley. It is listed on the National Natural Landmark system as the “Forest of the Wabash”. Robert Ridgway, a renowned historic ornithologist, noted in his adventures that the Lower Wabash River Valley had tremendously large trees of extraordinary nature. The great size and height of the trees found here is truly unique and beautiful. Visitors on site can see trees up to 120 feet tall and more than three feet in diameter. The forest has a large species list with almost a dozen species of oaks and half a dozen species of hickory.
Beall Woods Site Staff Looking at the Great Size and Height of Trees on Site
Wildlife
Beall Woods supports a large variety of both flora and fauna, including multiple thriving populations of the state listed bloodleaf. Also, as mentioned before, the site has numerous tree species – many of which were at one time the state champion due to their size.
Click through the images to view wildlife found at Beall Woods Nature Preserve & Land and Water Reserve.
From Left to Right: Summer Tanager, DeKay's Brown Snake, Trillium, Flicker, Fungi, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Chipmunk, Fungi, and Cedar Waxwing.
Managing Threats
Invasive species are extremely prevalent at Beall Woods. Honeysuckle, Japanese stiltgrass, and chaff flower are currently being treated aggressively throughout the Nature Preserve and Land and Water Reserve. Invasive species tend to out compete the natural vegetation in the area completely altering the composition of the natural community.
Management Techniques
Prescribed burning is used on the site almost annually, as well as brush removal by foliar spraying and cut stump treatment. Management of these natural areas is a constant battle. Hunting is allowed on portions of the state park.
Future Plans
Future plans for the Nature Preserve and Land and Water Reserve include continued stewardship via biologists, park staff and with assistance from the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund. Additionally, monitoring of listed species and site surveillance will continue.
Soon, the site will be a part of the Old Growth Forest Network, a national recognition for old-growth, native forests.
Beall Woods Old Growth Trees
By continuing to preserve Beall Woods, it will remain a place where people can come and experience the amazing diversity and beauty found in Illinois natural communities.
Pictured: Great Blue Heron over the Wabash River.
Visiting
The site has a visitor center, located near the center of the park, that hosts educational exhibits. These exhibits have photos, maps, and displays that all explain the natural history of the area surrounding the park. The park also allows for fishing and boating, hunting in specified areas, and hosts amenities such as hiking trails, picnic areas, and camping.
Beall Woods
Contributor: Sami Childerson
Editor: Heather McLean
Jennings Family Hill Prairie Nature Preserve
Jennings Family Hill Prairie Nature Preserve is one of the best examples of a large, Grade A hill prairie in Illinois. The 29-acre site has a long history of private-public protection and being the subject of many studies on hill prairies. It is the featured photo on the first page of the beginning of Robert Evers classic 1955 Hill Prairies of Illinois.
Jennings Hill Prairie on the opening page of Robert Evers Hill Prairies of Illinois.
History
Jennings Family Hill Prairie is a wonderful example of why the flexible work of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) and its programs can lead to the best outcomes.
Read through the timeline to learn how the site went from family property to an IDNR owned and protected Nature Preserve!
Tom and Augusta Parrington, great great grandson of Bailes Jennings, who first acquired the property in the mid-1800s. Tom, along with his sister Mary Kruetzfeldt, and mother Eileen Jennings Parrington, dedicated the preserve in 1999.
Formation
The site is located in the bluffs above the Mississippi River floodplain perched on Mississippian limestone bedrock. The windblown loess soil from the last ice age that mantles the bedrock is estimated to be 20 feet in thickness. The forest has not been logged in a century, and the hill prairie was not known to have been grazed by livestock.
The view from the top of a hill prairie of Jennings Family Hill Prairie Nature Preserve
Location
Jennings Family Hill Prairie is located in Calhoun County within the Driftless Section of the Middle Mississippi Border Natural Division (#8b). The site is one of only two hill prairies protected in the Natural Division.
- To learn more about the Natural Divisions in Illinois click here .
Use the interactive map to explore the location of Jennings Family Hill Prairie Nature Preserve within the state of Illinois.
Wildlife
This site has a broad array of hill prairie species, ranging from abundant obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana) to leadplant (Amorpha canescens). The site also contains a good population of the state-threatened bluehearts (Buchnera americana).
Keep scrolling to view some plant species found at Jennings Family Hill Prairie Nature Preserve.
From Left to Right: Lithospermum, Obedient Plant, Tall Coreopsis, and Dune Ladies' Tresses.
Future
To insure the future of the site, management techniques include prescribed burning, brush removal (non-native and woody invasive), and non-native herbaceous species removal. The most prevalent invasive species on site are garlic mustard, sericea lespedeza, and bush honeysuckle.
- Sericea lespedeza, if not kept in check, poses a serious threat to the hill prairie.
Continued management of the site with prescribed fire as well as invasive species, tree, and shrub removal to increase sunlight to the prairie, are important for protecting the prairie for future generations.
Debbie Newman (Natural Areas Preservation Specialist) and Mark Phipps (previous Natural Heritage Biologist for the site) looking at plants on the prairie.
Since the hill prairie has been under INPC protection, several Natural Heritage Biologists have helped manage the site, including the current biologist Ray Geroff (pictured lighting a prescribed fire on site).
Prescribed fire at Jennings Family Hill Prairie Nature Preserve.
Visiting
The site is open to the public. Hiking is allowed but there are no trails or parking areas. Please clean boots before entering the preserve to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Jennings Hill Praire Nature Preserve
Contributor: Debbie Newman
Editor: Heather McLean
Russell M. Duffin Nature Preserve
Russell M. Duffin is a 180-acre Nature Preserve within Forest Glen County Preserve. It was dedicated in 1970 by the Vermilion County Conservation District to conserve the biologically diverse beech-maple forest.
The site was named after one of the leaders in the establishment of the Vermilion County Conservation District, Russell Duffin.
The preserve protects eastern deciduous forest containing beech and tulip trees that are relatively undisturbed.
Russell M. Duffin Nature Preserve
Topography
The preserve contains mesic upland forest and dry upland forest of the Vermilion River Section of the Wabash Border Natural Division. The forest is composed of red oak, sugar maple, beech, and tulip tree species in the ravines and white oak, black oak, and hickory on the ridgetops. There is a rich ground cover of spring wildflowers, including squirrel corn, yellow trout lily, and celandine poppy.
Location
Russell M. Duffin Nature Preserve is located in the steeply dissected section of the Wisconsinan glacial till plain within the drainage basin of the Vermilion River (Wabash River Border Natural Division (#10c)). Most of the slopes and ravines are wooded and rich in herbaceous vegetation. The beech-maple forest represents a climax deciduous forest of northeastern United States, being well developed in Indiana and eastward, but found in Illinois only in the extreme eastern and southern parts.
- To learn more about the Natural Divisions in Illinois click here .
Use the interactive map to explore the location of Russell M. Duffin Nature Preserve within the state of Illinois.
Wildlife
Over 40 tree species are represented at this site as well as numerous plant species, while 160 species of birds, 15 species of mammals, 13 species of herptiles, and 26 species of fish from the Vermilion River have been recorded.
Pictured: Largeflower Valerian (Valeriana pauciflora)
Tree species on site include American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera).
Pictured: Fire Pink (Silene virginica)
Plant species found at the site include false hellebore (Veratrum woodii), cancer root (Conopholis americana), and the formerly state endangered/threatened, but still rare and uncommon fibrous rooted sedge (Carex communis). Birds found at the site include the brown creeper (Certhia americana).
Pictured: Cancer root (Conopholis americana)
The stonefly Perlesta napacola DeWalt, was a species new to science when R. Edward DeWalt, PhD., Illinois Natural History Survey, discovered it on site in 2001 and obtained adult male specimens. The life stages of this new species were described in mid-2001 and an article by Dr. DeWalt subsequently appeared in Entomological News. This species has been found nowhere else, although it is expected in similar small streams in Vermilion County and into Indiana. Its closest relative occurs in western Virginia.
Pictured: Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia)
A state record species of ephemerellid mayfly (Eurylophella fineralis) was collected by permit in 2001 as a nymph from the site. This mayfly had not been reported previously from Illinois, although it does occur in nearby counties of Indiana and in Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Ohio. It is also known from the Appalachian Plateau, where it is widespread.
In the Video: Black rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus)
Pause a moment to watch the video!
Management Techniques
Stewardship of the site includes prescribed fire, mesic tree thinning, and deer management around the preserve in Forest Glen Park. The purpose is to control invasive vegetation from outcompeting native species causing their decline. When invasive species become established, natives are ultimately eliminated.
Russell M. Duffin Nature Preserve
Visiting the Site
The preserve is located in the Forest Glen County Preserve, about seven miles east of Westville. Multiple trails and parking locations exist for visitors to participate in hiking, wildlife watching, picnicking, and general outdoor fun!
Contributor: John Griesbaum
Editor: Heather McLean
