Overview
Silver Creek Conservation Area is comprised of several natural communities, including wetlands, prairie, and savannas. Wetlands are areas that are saturated by surface or ground water and have the ability to support aquatic or “water loving” plants. Wetlands provide habitat for more species of plants and animals than any other type of landscape. Prairies are a type of grassland where trees are absent or widely scattered. Savannas are wooded areas with scattered trees and a grassy understory, and are typically transitional communities found between forests and grasslands. The woodlands and savannas feature grand oak and hickory trees that invite a wide variety of songbirds, hawks, and owls to fly among the branches while deer, coyote and an occasional red fox travel below.
By hiking the 6.5 miles of trails, visitors will explore some of the natural features to be found here and the many changes, both natural and manmade, that this site has seen. Follow the sidewalk to the left around the building for the trail head behind the building where you will enjoy a beautiful view of our prairie restoration in progress and explore the hiking and cross country ski trails that wind through prairie and savanna restoration to the banks of the Fox River, or enjoy a picnic overlooking the prairie.