Agencies
Services
Nature Preserve Area
2
County
Cook
Location And Access
The site is located along Illinois Route 68 in Palatine Township. It is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
Description
Deer Grove West Woodland and Wetland Nature Preserve lies in the Morainal Section of the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division. As such, the site has a rolling, rugged topography. Soils range from silt loam to silty clay loams to mucks depending on landform position. Higher ground supports dry-mesic woodland, grading into mesic woodland along slopes, and wetland at the base of surrounding hills. Numerous small wetlands dot the rolling uplands of the preserve, increasing habitat heterogeneity and providing important wildlife habitat. There is a tributary to Salt Creek (formerly into Buffalo Creek) that runs west to east through the center of the site. The creek is surrounded by small ravines which contain more forested lands including some floodplain forest. Due to its diversity of plant communities the site has over 300 plant species recorded, including 6 state-listed species.
Ownership
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Dedicated
August 2009
Size
1,035 acres
Topographic Quad
Lake Zurich
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
