Spring 1999

Flatwoods among preserve's unique features

Cook County, Illinois

Located in northwestern Cook County, Busse Forest was dedicated as the third Nature Preserve of Illinois in January, 1965.

Due to its unusually rich mixture of flatwoods, upland forest, and marsh communities, this 440-acre site, part of the larger 3,700-acre Ned Brown Preserve, is also registered as a National Natural Landmark by the US Department of Interior. Its flatwoods, a unique feature of this region, developed in slightly depressed areas where the soils drain poorly and are slightly compacted. These unique growing conditions support a mixture of red maple, swamp white oak, and black ash, as well as sensitive fern, hop sedge, and blue flag iris.

The upland forest tree species are typical of our rich prairie groves; they include many species of oak and hickory, along with basswood and sugar maple. Woodland wildflowers like bloodroot, wild geranium, jack-in-the-pulpit, great white trillium, and woodland phlox bloom in profusion. Marshes occur in larger glacial depressions that retain water most of the year and support dense aquatic vegetation — ample food and habitat for ducks, geese, shorebirds, mink, muskrat, and other wetland wildlife. Waterfowl and shorebird enthusiasts will be specially rewarded during spring and fall migrations. And hikers can enjoy a two-mile nature trail of packed earth and gravel that meanders through the woodland interior and provides a peaceful respite from the surrounding sounds of suburban life.

Ned Brown Preserve also contains the 590-acre Busse Lake and 11.2 miles of paved bicycle trails that wind through the forests and meadows. The Forest Preserve District estimates that Ned Brown Preserve receives 2.5 million nature and outdoor enthusiasts each year, more than visit Yellowstone annually. And for a multitude of good reasons. This preserve offers bird-watching, hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, rowboating, sailboating, picnicking, cross-country skiing, ice-skating, and more.

For more information contact: Forest Preserve District of Cook County at (800) 870-3666.

— Eugene Bender