Agencies
Services
Land and Water Reserve Area
2
County
McHenry
Location
The reserve is in the City of McHenry bordered by Bull Valley Road to the south and southeast, Green Street to the west, and Wheeler Park to the north. It lies within the Chain O’ Lakes – Fox River resource rich area.
Description
The Wheeler Fen Land and Water Reserve consists of graminoid fen and sedge meadow wetlands adjacent to old fields. Each of these natural communities suffer due to invasion by exotic species – particularly teasel and phragmites. Originally protected from a road project that would have completely destroyed the site, the reserve now is threatened to be destroyed from within due to invasive species. The site is currently under a new management plan to address these issues and, with time, the INPC and landowner hope to improve the ecological quality of this reserve.
Ownership
City of McHenry
Natural Division
Morainal Section of the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division (#3a)
Registered
February 1998
Size
32 acres
Access
The site is open to the public with access at a parking area off Green Street and walking paths available.
Topographic Quad
McHenry
For Further Information
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702
217-785-8686
DNR.INPC@illinois.gov
