BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER & AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND
In 1963, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act, which created the means of protecting the state’s rarest and most endangered landscapes. The act established the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) to “preserve, protect, and defend natural areas and endangered species habitat for public benefit.” These areas “preserve Illinois’ highest-quality natural areas…the last remnants of the Illinois wilderness” and are all safeguarded from development in perpetuity. It’s estimated that less than 0.1 percent of the Illinois landscape remains as it was when first seen by the first European settlers.
Thank God for the INPC! Without it, we’d have more strip malls and parking lots, more areas ruined by mining and other industrial use, and more lost waterfalls, kames, prairies, forests, and other beautiful spots that we nature lovers hold close to our hearts. More extinguished species and struggling survivors. More pollution and less of a buffer to protect us from flooding and other negative effects of global climate change. Fewer places for families to enjoy nature and for others to be alone in the outdoors.
Since its creation in 1963, a total of 121,492 acres in 622 preserves have been named part of the Illinois Nature Preserves System.
In 1964, Illinois Beach State Park was the first designated state nature preserve in the Illinois Nature Preserves system. It’s one of my favorite places in the Chicago area. I visited the park in October on an unseasonably hot 80 degree day. Walking through the dune and swale landscape along the Dead River (which comes tantalizingly close to, but rarely connects to Lake Michigan), I felt as if I was hiking in northern Wisconsin or Michigan. A large area of the Dead River Trail was flooded, and I didn’t care one bit. At times, I walked knee deep in cold (I mean cold) water, and it felt wonderful. I passed colonies of prickly pear cacti, bearberry, and creeping juniper (which you’re more likely to see on the East Coast). I spotted a praying mantis and a wooly bear caterpillar. The trail eventually reached the end of the Dead River and, just a few feet away, the shores of Lake Michigan. I had the shore largely to myself and enjoyed the alternatingly rocky and sandy beach; the brisk wind on my face; and the sight of sailboats in the distance. I shudder to think what the area that comprises Illinois Beach State Park would look like today without the efforts of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission. Perhaps industrial lakeshore Indiana? Ugh!
But back to the 60th anniversary of the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act and the creation of Illinois Nature Preserves. You can access a directory of the preserves by clicking here. I’ve covered more than 25 of these preserves here at my blog and in my book, Nature In Chicagoland: More Than 120 Fantastic Nature Destinations That You Must Visit. Here’s a list of preserves I’ve covered and links to my articles about these special places. They’re organized by Illinois county. I look forward to visiting many more of these Illinois gems in the future.
Cook county
Black Partridge Woods
Black Partridge Woods: Cool Ravines, Great Hiking, and 6 Other Reasons to Visit
Bluff Spring Fen
Bluff Spring Fen: A Fen-tastic Nature Experience in Far Western Cook County
Burnham Prairie
Burnham Prairie Nature Preserve: A Birdwatching Hotspot
Busse Forest
Busse Woods (aka Ned Brown Preserve): This nearly 3,560-acre preserve offers ancient upland forests, an elk pasture, and one of the largest fishing and boating waters in Cook County. Dogs are allowed (on leashes) in some areas.
The preserve has 12.9 miles of hiking trails. The main trails are the 7.2-mile Red Loop Trail (which circles a large area of the preserve), 2.3-mile Black Trail (in the far northwest corner of the preserve; it connects to the Red Loop Trail), and the 1.1-mile Purple Trail (in the far southwest area of the preserve; it also connects to the Red Loop Trail). There are also unmarked footpaths that branch off from these main trails.
A full article about this preserve appears in my book Nature in Chicagoland.
Cap Sauers Holdings
Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve: The Wildest Place in Cook County
10 Thoughts About Cap Sauers Holding Nature Preserve and Fall in Chicagoland’s Forest Preserves
Cranberry Slough
Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve: Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve is special because it contains one of only a handful of peat bog ecosystems in Illinois. “A unique ecological community developed in this hollow, formed by an ice block stranded during the retreat of the glacier some 14,000 years ago,” according to Forest Preserves of Cook County. “Plants such as sphagnum moss, a more typical inhabitant of the cooler climes of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota, share company with familiar prairie and woodland species, such as white wild indigo, marsh blazing star, and tall bellflower.” A slough is the colloquial name for a shallow pond or wetland.
A full article about this preserve appears in my book Nature in Chicagoland.
Sagawau Canyon
Sand Ridge
Sand Ridge Nature Center: Indoor and Outdoor Education and Fun in All Seasons
Visit Sand Ridge Nature Center for a Wonderful Winter Experience
Santa Fe Prairie
Wolf Road Prairie
Du Page county
Belmont Prairie
Belmont Prairie and More Than 25 Other Prairies in Chicagoland to Visit and Enjoy
Kane county
Johnson’s Mound
LeRoy Oakes
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve: This nearly 460-acre preserve offers a variety of hiking trails through high-quality prairie, floodplain forests, oak woodlands, and grassy fields. Ferson Creek travels through a portion of the preserve. There’s also a nature center (with very friendly staff and informative exhibits). The starting point for the Great Western Trail is located at the preserve. Dogs are allowed (on leashes).
Visitors to the Durant House Museum (which was built in 1843) can learn what life was like in the mid-19th century. The Pioneer Sholes School (circa 1872) is a restored and furnished one-room country school. These sites are managed by Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley. These sites, which are located near a towering, historic barn, are easy to access, with parking nearby.
A full article about this preserve appears in my book Nature in Chicagoland.
Nelson Lake Marsh
Dick Young Forest Preserve: Features nearly 1,300 acres of woodlands, marsh, wetlands, and prairies, along with kettle ponds, streams, and scenic Nelson Lake. Dogs are allowed (but must be leashed). Dick Young Forest Preserve is one of the best-known and most ecologically important preserves in Kane County. The preserve was named after Dick Young, a naturalist, the chief environmental officer of Kane County for many years; the author of Kane County Wild Plants and Natural Areas; and a prime mover, along with other environmentalists, in identifying and protecting rare natural environments in the county. He died in 2011 at age 86.
A full article about this preserve appears in my book Nature in Chicagoland.
Lake county
Edward L. Ryerson
Illinois Beach
Middlefork Savanna
Middlefork Savanna Nature Preserve: Great Blooms, Biking, Hiking, and Nature Experiences
Openlands Lakeshore, Bluff and Ravine
Breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, a rare ravine and bluff ecosystem, and great hiking trails. The preserve was recently into incorporated Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve.
A full article about this preserve appears in my book Nature in Chicagoland.
Volo Bog
Volo Bog: An Ice Age Remnant and the Only Quaking Bog in Illinois
La Salle county
Starved Rock
Starved Rock State Park: The park is one of the crown jewels of the Illinois state park system. Its steep sandstone cliffs, nearly 20 cool canyons, stunning views of the Illinois River, beautiful (but often challenging) hiking trails, and wealth of biodiversity—as well as the availability of a wide range of recreational activities—make it easy to love. There are also many waterfalls that freeze in the winter—making them an attractive destination for visitors. You can even climb the frozen waterfalls in four canyons, but the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says that those who do so “climb at their own risk.” An ice climbing brochure is available at the park’s website and at its visitor center.
A full article about this preserve appears in my book Nature in Chicagoland.
Lee county
Nachusa Grasslands
Nachusa Grasslands: See Bison, Savor Solitude, and Hike Through Biodiversity Hotspots
McHenry county
Glacial Park
Nippersink Creek Provides a Great Kayaking or Canoeing Adventure Just an Hour From Chicago
Ogle county
Nachusa Grasslands
Nachusa Grasslands: See Bison, Savor Solitude, and Hike Through Biodiversity Hotspots
Will county
Lake Renwick Heron Rookery
5 Things to Do at Lake Renwick Preserve/Heron Rookery Nature Preserve
Lockport Prairie
7 Things to Do at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve
Messenger Woods
Messenger Woods: Famous Spring Flowers and Year-Round Fun
Raccoon Grove
Thorn Creek Woods
Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve: Ravines, Rolling Hills, and a Historic 1862 Church/Nature Center
finally, A helpful organization
In 2020, Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves was founded to support the Illinois Nature Preserves System, educate the public about the preserves, and provide volunteer labor to restore and protect its flora and fauna. Check out the following links for more information:
Illinois Nature Preserves System 60th Anniversary (spotlights top preserves)
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Looking for some great nature destinations in Chicagoland? If so, check out my book, Nature in Chicagoland: More Than 120 Fantastic Nature Destinations That You Must Visit. It features amazing destinations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Click on the title to learn more. The book has 306 pages and 210+ photos and is only $18.99.
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ABOUT ANDREW MORKES
I have been a writer and editor for nearly 30 years. I’m the founder of College & Career Press (2002); the author and publisher of “The Morkes Report: College and Career Planning Trends” blog; and the author and publisher of Hot Health Care Careers: 30 Occupations With Fast Growth and Many New Job Openings; Nontraditional Careers for Women and Men: More Than 30 Great Jobs for Women and Men With Apprenticeships Through PhDs; They Teach That in College!?: A Resource Guide to More Than 100 Interesting College Majors, which was selected as one of the best books of the year by the library journal Voice of Youth Advocates; and other titles. They Teach That in College!? provides more information on environmental- and sustainability-related majors such as Ecotourism, Range Management, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Built Environment, Sustainability Studies, and Sustainable Agriculture/Organic Farming. I’m also a member of the parent advisory board at my son’s school.
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In addition to these publications, I’ve written more than 60 books about careers for other publishing and media companies including Infobase (such as the venerable Encyclopedia of Careers & Vocational Guidance, the Vault Career Guide to Accounting, and many volumes in the Careers in Focus, Discovering Careers, What Can I Do Now?!, and Career Skills Library series) and Mason Crest (including those in the Careers in the Building Trades and Cool Careers in Science series).
Here’s a list of the environmental-focused titles that I’ve written:
- Nature in Chicagoland: More Than 120 Fantastic Nature Destinations That You Must Visit
- Wind Turbine Technicians (Great Careers Without a Bachelor’s Degree series)
- Environmental Scientists (Cool Careers in Science series)
- Renewable Energy Careers (Cool Careers in Science series)
- Environment (Getting Started series)
- Solar Power Technicians (Careers in Infrastructure series)
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