Miller Shrub Swamp Nature Preserve

Marion County

Location and Access:

From Helm, follow Rt. 30 south for 1.5 miles to where the highway turns west. Continue south on an unimproved road for 0.25 mile. This preserve is located along the bluff line of the Skillet Fork in southeastern Marion County.

Description:

This preserve contains shrub swamp and pond communities representative of the Mt Vernon Hill Country of Southern Illinois. This spring-fed wetland, located at the base of a hill, is characterized by well defined plant communities. Within the shrub swamp the most abundant plants are buttonbush, black willow and water pepper, an herbaceous plant. The most common plants in the pond community are yellow pond lily, duckweed and dock. Colonies of sensitive fem are present throughout the entire marsh.

Ownership: Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Dedicated: April 1990

Size: 35.7 acres

Topo Map: Shields 7.5

For Further Information Contact: Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Biologist, Prairie Ridge State Natural Area, 4295 North 1000th Street, Newton, IL 62448, (618/782/2685)

 

1/2009 - R. Heidorn