Rutherford Refuge at Twin Bridges

Description

Rutherford Refuge at Twin Bridges Nature Preserve contains some of the best quality sedge meadow and wet-mesic prairie found within the Wisconsin Driftless Natural Division of Illinois. The eastern half of the preserve is recognized by the INAI (Rutherford Wetland INAI #1970) for the presence of Grade C best-of-kind sedge meadow and wet prairie communities. The site contains suitable habitat for the federally endangered rusty-patched bumblebee (Bombus affinis), which has been documented within the western part of Jo Daviess County within 25 miles of the Rutherford Refuge. The Rutherford Refuge contains a total of 24.32 acres in varying stages of ecological restoration and degradation. Of these, 7.0 acres are dry-mesic woodland, 0.4 acres are dry-mesic barrens, 2.8 acres are dry-mesic prairie, 1.4 acres are wet-mesic prairie, 1.2 acres are sedge meadow, 0.7 acres are seep, 0.73 acres are high-gradient small stream (Clear Creek), 8.4 acres are old field, and 0.71 acres of the property are developed land.