Agencies
Services
Land and Water Reserve Area
8
County
Jasper
Location
The site is in southwest Jasper County approximately 5 miles southwest of Newton. It is in proximity to other sites in the Prairie Ridge Natural Area including Prairie Ridge State Natural Area - Jasper County Land and Water Reserve, Robert Ridgway Grasslands Nature Preserve, Richard R. and Jean W. Graber Grasslands Land and Water Reserve, and Jasper County Prairie Chicken Sanctuary Nature Preserve.
Description
Prairie Ridge Land and Water Reserve makes up a portion of the Prairie Ridge State Natural Area (PRSNA), which is a unique site in Illinois dedicated to conserving the rarest members of Illinois’ native tallgrass prairie and marsh communities in Jasper and Marion Counties. The PRSNA has a rich diversity of plant and animal species occurring within its grassland/wetland habitat complex, including Illinois’ largest greater prairie chicken population. Prairie Ridge Land and Water Reserve is included on the Prairie Ridge-Jasper County (INAI #0601) site. It is composed of cool season grasses, restored native grasses, wetlands, remnant prairie, and old fields. These natural communities include regionally important grassland and wetlands that host threatened and endangered species and Species in Greatest Conservation Need as identified by the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan.
Ownership
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Natural Division
Effingham Plain Section of the Southern Till Plain Natural Division (#9a)
Registered
May 2000
Size
588 acres
Access
The site is closed to the public.
Topographic Quad
Newton & Latona
For Further Information
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686
DNR.INPC@illinois.gov