Edward L. Ryerson Nature Preserve

Lake County

Location and Access:

From Riverwoods at jct. Hwy. 21 (45) and Deerfield Road, take Deerfield Road east 2 mi. to Riverwoods Road, then north and northwest 1.8 mi. to Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area. The nature preserve is in the conservation area.

Description:

Edward L. Ryerson preserve contains four distinct forest communities that are representative of the Morainal Section of the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division. The wet floodplain forest is located along the Des Plaines River. Silver maple and bur oak are characteristic species. The mesic sugar maple forest is on the better-drained terrace soil. The drier uplands are dominated by oaks and hickories with younger sugar maples common in the understory. Finally, a wet flatwood is located on a poorly drained upland area. Many showy marsh and meadow plant species occur here: gentian, great blue lobelia, and cardinal flower. The area also provides valuable wetland habitat for several species of bird, waterfowl, and other wildlife.

Ownership: Lake County Forest Preserve District and Edna Herrmann

Dedicated: April 1972

Size: 288.23 acres with buffer

Topo Map: Wheeling 7.5

For Further Information Contact: Lake County Forest Preserve District, 2000 North Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville, IL 60048; Site Superintendent, Ryerson Conservation Area, Deerfield, IL 60015 (708/948-7750)