Gensburg Markham Prairie

A National Natural Landmark, this 167-acre preserve is a mosaic of remnant prairie communities. The high quality wetlands and prairies sit on the former lake plain of glacial Lake Chicago which resulted in a diversity of clay and sand soil deposited by the receding lake. The site includes black soil tallgrass prairie, uncommon now in Illinois, its rich soil having been plowed for agriculture. Influenced by diverse substrate and water conditions, an expansive palette of plant species grow in the site’s diverse habitats.