Agencies
Services
Nature Preserve Area
3
County
Cook
Location And Access
From jct. Hwys. 12/20 and 45 west of Hickory Hills, take Hwy. 45 south 5.5 mi. to McCarthy Road, turn and go west on McCarthy Road 1.5 mi. The nature preserve is north of McCarthy Road and is bounded on the east by 104th Avenue and on the north by Calumet Sag Road. Special Note: Trails and parking are available at this preserve.
Description
Cap Sauers Holdings Nature Preserve, at 1520 acres, is the largest nature preserve in northeastern Illinois. Dominant geological features include the rolling topography typical of the Valparaiso Moraine of the Morainal Division of northeastern Illinois and an esker. The Visitation Esker is one of the best defined examples of this glacial feature in the state. Most of the site is composed of young upland forests, and disturbed prairie and oak savanna communities. Much of the former prairie and oak savanna communities are now threatened by brushy native and non-native species that have advanced because fire has been suppressed. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County and The Nature Conservancy have embarked upon an ambitious project to restore much of this site to its presettlement condition.
Ownership
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Dedicated
January 1965 as the 4th Illinois Nature Preserve
Size
1520 acres
Topographic Quad
Sag Bridge
Topo Map
For Further Information
Contact: Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Conservation Department, 536 North Harlem Ave., River Forest, IL 60305 (708/771-1330)