photo: Nancy Pajean, Chicago Zoological Society

Things to See: Wetlands

Wade into the wetlands:

This preserve features natural marshlands and is a good spot for birding and cross-country skiing. For more information, call (630) 933-7200.

The site includes a high-quality fen and is a good place for bird and butterfly watching. View four ecosystems from one trail. Visitor features include foot trails and parking. For more information call (847) 462-9789.

Gompers Park wetland was a former oxbow of the North Branch of the Chicago River. Today, this successful wetland restoration is home to many plants and animals. For more information call (312) 742-PLAY.

A wide range of animals make their homes in the wetlands, prairie and woodlands of the Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve. The wetland supports many waterfowl species and wetland plants. This is a scenic place to bicycle, hike, or cross-country ski. For more information, call (847) 948-7750.

This site features wetland, woodland and prairie habitats. The preserve attracts herons, grassland birds, deer, foxes and coyotes. Visitor features include parking, trails and drinking water. An equestrian center is also located on this site. For more information, call (630) 933-7200.

This restored wetland is home to great blue herons, warblers, turtles and bullfrogs. It is a good place for bird watching, walking and nature study. Volunteer opportunities are also available. For more information call (312) 747-2200.

There is a lot of variety in this gently rolling landscape. It features a rare tamarack bog, and contains Lake County's only known stand of wild Kentucky coffee trees. Visitor features include parking, drinking water, picnic shelters, and trails for hiking, bicycling and cross-country skiing. For more information, call (847) 948-7750.

Hoosier Prairie is a large remnant of the prairie landscape that was once common in northwest Indiana. Plant diversity is exceptionally high at this site due to a wide range of moisture conditions. This site contains tallgrass prairie, marsh, and oak savanna communities. For more information, call the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Nature Preserves at (317) 232-4052.

This site features prairie, wetland and wooded communities. The wetland on the west end of the preserve attracts ducks and numerous wading birds, including four species of herons. For more information, call (847) 482-1928.

This site features a rich wetland bird community adjacent to the Fox River. Visitor features include foot trails, horse trails, parking and toilets. For more information, call (815) 338-6223.

Burr Reed Marsh, on the edge of the arboretum's East Side Woods, is surrounded by a boardwalk and interpretive panels that explain the significance of this fascinating ecosystem. For more information, call The Morton Arboretum at (630) 719-0074.

This emerging fen features fringed gentian, tway blade orchid and bog birch. Visitor features include foot trails, parking and toilets. For more information, call (630) 232-5980.

The Palos Forest Preserves cover 14,000 acres and include the only surviving Chicago Lake Plain graminoid fen. Visitor features include foot trails, bicycle trails, horse trails, toilets, a visitor center, picnic areas and parking. For more information call (708) 366-9420.

Peck Farm Park includes wetlands, a 200-acre restored tallgrass prairie and Peck Lake. It features 2.4 miles of paved biking and running paths and is a good spot for wildlife watching, hiking, jogging, cross-country skiing biking and bird watching. For more information, call (630) 262-8244.

This is one of the last remaining bogs in Indiana. The site features acid-loving plants such as bladderwort, pitcher plant, lady's slipper, cranberries and tamarak. Fox, deer, spotted turtles, and song sparrows inhabit the area. The public can only access the area by reserving a space on a ranger-led tour. Tours are available for school groups or for the general public. For more information, call (219) 926-7561 ext. 225.

This site includes a rare sand savanna ecosystem. Visitor features include foot trails, parking, toilets, a canoe or boat launch and picnic tables. For more information, call (708) 868-0606.

This preserve features a 20-acre wetland as well as wet prairie and oak woodland habitats. It offers trails for hiking, bicycling and cross-country skiing. Visitor features include parking, trails, and a dog exercise area. For more information, call (847) 367-6640.

This is a good spot to see wading birds such as great egrets, great blue herons, double-crested cormorants and black-crowned night herons. The 43-acre preserve is located along the Grand Calumet River and contains prairie and wetland communities. Glaciers created the dune and swale landscape centuries ago. Barely 1,000 acres of this type of natural landscape survives. For more information, call (219) 879-4725.

This natural area offers visitors the chance to observe a wide variety of bog plants and animals. Native orchids bloom in spring and summer. Visitors may also see great blue herons, sandhill cranes, whitetail deer, mink raccoons and other small creatures. For more information, call (815) 344-1294.

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