Wadsworth Prairie

Description

Wadsworth Prairie is in a glacial valley that formed during the Wisconsinan stage of the Pleistocene glaciation. Most of the land in the Des Plaines River valley is generally low and wet, providing perfect conditions for marsh and wet-mesic prairie communities. Wadsworth Prairie has been protected since 1981 and in spite of some disturbance, the general quality of the prairie is good. The dominant grasses are big bluestem in the mesic sites and cord grass in the wetter sites. Showy prairie forbs include smooth blue aster, tick trefoil and prairie dock. Other unusual wildlife species present include Henslow`s sparrow, Virginia rail, American bittern, long-billed marsh wren and red fox.