Cranberry Slough Nature Preserve

Cook County

Location and Access:

From Palos Hills, take 95th Street (Hwy. 12/20) west beyond the junction with 96th Avenue (Hwy. 45). The nature preserve is to the south.

Special Note: Trails and parking are available at this preserve.

Description:

Cranberry Slough typifies the rolling topography of the Valparaiso Moraine of the Northeastern Morainal Division of Illinois. Formerly, the site supported a mosaic of prairie and oak savanna. Currently, the steep slopes support both young upland forests and remnants of degraded prairie. The kettleholes currently support sedge meadow and marsh communities. Water levels have been held at artificially high water levels by a shallow dams so consequently, beaver and other wetland wildlife have been recorded from this preserve.

Ownership: Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Dedicated: January 1965 as the 5th Illinois Nature Preserve

Size: 372 acres

Topo Map: Palos Park 7.5

For Further Information Contact: Forest Preserve District of Cook County, c/o Conservation Department, 536 North Harlem Ave., River Forest, IL 60305 (708/771-1330)

1/2009 - R. Heidorn