Ridgetop Hill Prairie

Description

Ridgetop Hill Prairie contains glacial drift hill prairies and forest communities once abundant in the Grand Prairie Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division. The prairie supports over 40 species of plants and is dominated by little bluestem and side oats grama. Typical prairie forbs include aromatic aster, purple prairie clover and goldenrods. The prairie opening on the long narrow ridge closest to the river is richest in composition. The dry-mesic upland forest, occupying about 10 acres, is dominated by white oak, shagbark hickory and ironwood. A narrow belt of bottomland forest occurs along the Mackinaw River and contains silver maple, sycamore, black walnut and elm. The preserve, although small, has a great diversity of habitats that support typical animal species found in upland forest, forest edge, brush, bottomland and river bank areas. Of particular interest are migrating hawks and nesting lark sparrows on nearby properties. Management of the preserve includes prescribed burning and fencing.