Overview
Messenger Marsh protects a diversity of habitats, including forest, savanna and a portion of Spring Creek.
Wildlife found at the preserve includes the wood frog, brown snake and 110 bird species.
The preserve is also home to a variety of plant species, including the hairy beardtongue, hispid sunflower, great white lettuce and sunshine rose.
The preserve is also part of a tree mitigation project funded by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority that has planted more than 10,000 trees and shrubs at the preserve.