Nature Preserve Area:
2
County:
Cook
Location and Access:
From Northbrook at jct. Hwys. 43 (Waukegan Road) & 68 (Dundee Road), take Dundee Road west 0.5 mi. The nature preserve is north of Dundee Road.
Special Note: Off-trail access is restricted to those authorized by permits for research or stewardship during the growing season - May through October. Please stay on mapped and managed trails during this sensitive time.
Description:
The 70-acre Somme Prairie Nature Preserve has responded well to the cooperative efforts of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, The Nature Conservancy, and the North Branch Prairie Project to restore the prairie. In 1977, when stewardship activities were initiated, the prairie survived principally as scattered, small openings. Fire suppression, mowing, grazing, and farming on the drier sites had decreased the vigor and extent of the presettlement prairie. Now, after years of stewardship at this site and the adjacent Somme Woods Forest Preserve, the marsh, wet prairie, mesic prairie, and oak savannas are recovering. A rich assemblage of prairie plants have survived on the site, including such conservative species as leadplant, cream false indigo, prairie brome, prairie gentian, hoary puccoon, and prairie phlox.
Ownership:
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Dedicated:
June 1984
Size:
70 acres
Topographic Quad:
Highland Park
Topo Map:
Directions:
For further information:
Contact: Forest Preserve District of Cook County, % Conservation Department, 536 North Harlem Ave., River Forest, IL 60305 (708/771-1330)
1/2009 - R. Heidorn
