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Goose
Lake Prairie Adds Hundreds of New Acres
The
Illinois Department of Natural Resources finalized a purchase
from Commonwealth Edison of 345 acres last fall. This tract
is located adjacent to Goose Lake Prairie State Natural
Area and contains 245 acres of prairie and wetlands, some
of which was recognized by the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory
as high quality prairie.
Goose
Lake Prairie State Natural Area contains Goose
Lake Prairie, which has over 1,700 acres of a prairie/wetland
complex along with approximately 800 acres of reconstructed
prairie. This latest purchase adds to the 315 acres of former
crop field, old field and prairie that the state purchased
several years ago from Commonwealth Edison.
With
proper management, the new prairie tract should provide
additional habitat for the grassland birds that are common
at Goose Lake Prairie. This tract, one of the largest remaining
parcels of unprotected prairie left in the state, adds significantly
to Goose Lake Prairie, the largest prairie east of the Mississippi
River. Those wishing to visit the new tract should contact
the site superintendent at Goose Lake Prairie State Natural
Area, (815) 942-2899.
—
Bill Glass
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