Wier Hill Prairie Nature Preserve

Marshall County

Location and Access:

Special Note: This preserve is privately owned. Prior permission is required for access.

Description:

Wier Hill Prairie is a steep glacial drift hill prairie remnant in the Grand Prairie Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division. The prairie is characterized by little bluestem and side-oats grama. It is representative of the south and west-facing bluff prairies that were extensive in pre-settlement times along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. This remnant is one of several that were identified as late as the 1970's along the ridge overlooking the Sandy Creek floodplain.

The lower part of this site is now second-growth oak and hickory dry-mesic upland forest. The nature preserve is a portion of a farm that was originally acquired in 1832 by John and Katherine Wier. The tract was inherited by the current owners from their parents, Charles and Emma Wier.

Ownership: Private

Dedicated: June 1983

Size: 2.5 acres

Topo Map: Henry 7.5

For Further Information Contact: Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, 1 Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62704 (217/785-8774)

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