Illinois

Illinois is a midwestern state bordering Indiana in the east and the Mississippi River in the west. Nicknamed “the Prairie State,” it’s marked by farmland, forests, rolling hills and wetlands.

Glacier Park, McHenry County

Though a bit barren in January, Glacial Park Conservation Area offers 3,432 acres of recreation including a wide array of prairies, wetlands and savannas. There are over eight miles of hiking trails with a beautiful backdrop of hickory trees, oak trees. and wildflowers. It is the home for over 41 species of state endangered animals and plants.

Trekking the Interpretive Nature Trail On this 2 mile trek, call the edge, you will search for owls, deer, wood ducks and blue birds. This “edge” offers the perfect combination of of both woodland and grassland which is exactly what these animals need. Many types of berries, nuts and seeds are available.

Midwestern Birds National Geographic Birds

Trekking the Plant Community Interpretive Trial

This open woodland is a savanna, hosting plant both native and non native to the area. Some of the plants include bottlebrush grass, joe pye weed, and mayapple. The green plants here produce their own food by trapping the energy of the sun. They then support a wide array of organisms throughout the savanna. Here there is a very healthy ecosystem and therefore a vast biodiversity.

Geology of Glacial Park

12,000 years ago glaciers were in this park. After leaving they left the land shaped into unique land forms and bringing rocks and till from Canada. Because of so much till, the bedrock was buried and after breaking down, plants were able to grow in this new fertile soil. This area then became of the top regions for agriculture.

Here are a few other great resources.