Des Plaines River Conservation Area

The presence of recognized dolomite prairies of substantial size and quality at this location made it a choice for receiving Material Service Corporation Settlement Fund (MSCSF) funding. Both Grant Creek Prairie (seventy-eight acres on the east side of I-55) and the Des Plaines Dolomite Prairie (nine acres on the west side of I-55) were on the original Illinois Natural Areas Inventory conducted in 1977.

(Download the full project description here:  Wetland Restoration Projects: Des Plaines River Conservation Area (24.55 kB).)

Location: Exit I-55 at Wilmington exit (mile marker 241), Wilmington, IL

Funding source: Material Service Corporation Settlement Fund

Owner & land manager: Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)

Size of project site: 550 acres

Project date: 2000

Partners: Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, Openlands (formerly CorLands), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Action: Cutting and removal of invasive shrubs, control of invasive herbaceous plants.