Agencies
Services
Nature Preserve Area
3
County
Cook
Location And Access
The site is one mile south of the city of Chicago, and approximately one mile west of the Indiana state line, in the village of Burnham. The site is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
Description
Burnham Prairie Nature Preserve is a remnant of a Chicago Lake Plain prairie-wetland complex that protects remnant prairie, bur oak savanna, and marsh, along with unique soils, topography, and geologic history. The reserve retains some of the dune and swale topography that was typical of the Calumet region before massive human disturbances from the nineteenth through twentieth centuries. These sand ridges and intercalated swales were formed during the Toleston and Calumet stages of glacial Lake Chicago. Plant communities on site include dry-mesic sand prairie, wet-mesic sand prairie, wet sand prairie, sedge meadow, marsh and dry-mesic (bur oak) savanna.
Ownership
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Dedicated
3/3/2003
Size
78.52 acres, with no buffer
Topographic Quad
Lake Calumet
Topo Map
For Further Information
Visit the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Website or Contact the INPC
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686