Sand Ridge Savanna

Description

Sand Ridge Savanna is a diverse, high quality sand prairie, wetland and savanna complex characteristic of the Kankakee Sand Area Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division. The site features grade B sand prairie with a large population of the tubercled orchid and grade B shrub prairie, a rare coastal plain community, with shore St. John's wort and narrow-leaved sundew. In contrast to the typical and savanna, which is dry and dominated by black oak, Sand Ridge Savanna is primarily mesic and is dominated by white oak. The sand savanna was selectively logged and grazed, but is being restored by the removal of exotic woody species and by prescribed burning. Former wetlands that were farmed are being restored by re-establishing the site's natural hydrology. Sand Ridge Savanna also contains a rich fauna of prairie and savanna butterflies.