Agencies
Services
Nature Preserve Area
2
County
McHenry
Location And Access
The preserve is located within the Morainal Section of the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division of Illinois. More specifically, it in the north-central part of McHenry County in portions of Sections 13, 14, and 15 in Alden Township (T46N, R7E of the Third Principal Meridian). Currently, the McHenry County Conservation District does not provide public access to the site.
Description
Alden Sedge Meadow was included on the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory (INAI # 1262) in recognition of Grade A and B graminoid fen, Grade B sedge meadow, Grade B pond, Grade B low-gradient stream, and Grade C freshwater marsh. There is also Grade A wet mesic prairie, Grade A calcareous seep, Grade C dry-mesic savanna, and an old field cultural community. Four State-listed plant species and six State-listed animal species have been recorded from the nature preserve, as well as 87 species of birds, 5 species of mammals, 15 species of amphibians and reptiles, 20 species of fish, 6 species of mussels, 23 species of dragonflies and damselflies, 31 species of butterflies, and an undetermined number of aquatic invertebrates from the site. The site provides suitable nesting habitat for 27 species of wildlife identified in the Plan as “Species in Greatest Need of Conservation” and include 17 birds, 2 reptiles, 3 fish, 2 mussels and 3 butterflies. Alden Sedge Meadow Nature Preserve lies within the footprint of one of the core areas identified for Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.
Ownership
McHenry County Conservation District
Dedicated
August 2019
Size
304 acres
Topographic Quad
Hebron, Harvard
For Further Information
McHenry County Conservation District
6512 Harts Road,
Ringwood, IL 60072
(815/678-4431)