The National Natural Landmarks (NNLs) in Illinois include 18 of the almost 600 such landmarks in the United States. They cover areas of geological, biological and historical importance, and include lakes, bogs, canyons and forests. Several of the sites provide habitat for rare or endangered plant and animal species. The landmarks are located in 13 of the state's 102 counties. Five counties each contain all or part of two or more NNLs, while one landmark is split between two counties. The first designation, Forest of the Wabash, was made in 1965, while the most recent designation, Markham Prairie, was made in 1987.[1] Natural Landmarks in Illinois range from 53 to 6,500 acres (21.4 to 2,630.5 ha; 0.1 to 10.2 sq mi) in size. Owners include private individuals or organizations, and several county, state and federal agencies.[2]
The National Natural Landmarks Program is administered by the National Park Service, a branch of the Department of the Interior. The National Park Service determines which properties meet NNL criteria and, after notifying the owners, makes nomination recommendations. The Secretary of the Interior reviews nominations and, based on a set of predetermined criteria, makes a decision on NNL designation or a determination of eligibility for designation. Both public and privately owned properties can be designated as NNLs. Owners may object to the nomination of the property as a NNL.[3] This designation provides indirect, partial protection of the historic integrity of the properties via tax incentives, grants, monitoring of threats, and other means.[4]
| Name | Image | Date | Location | County | Ownership | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allerton Natural Area | 
|
1970 | 39°59′53″N 88°39′00″W / 39.998°N 88.65°W / 39.998; -88.65 | Piatt | State | Contains a now-rare example of the ecosystems in Illinois stream valleys, with bottomland and upland forests in minimally disturbed condition. Part of Robert Allerton Park. |
| Bell Smith Springs | 
|
1980 | 37°31′7″N 88°39′22″W / 37.51861°N 88.65611°W / 37.51861; -88.65611 | Pope | Federal, private | Part of the Shawnee National Forest, Bell Smith Springs contains excellent examples of sharply dissected sandstone substrates and their associated ecosystems. Stream erosion and mass wasting have created landform examples representative of the area. |
| Busse Forest Nature Preserve | 
|
1980 | 42°02′32″N 88°00′12″W / 42.04209°N 88.003407°W / 42.04209; -88.003407 (Busse Forest Nature Preserve) | Cook | County | Historic preserve of mesic and dry-mesic upland forest, one of the best examples in the eastern Central Lowlands bio-physiographic province. Part of the Cook County Forest Preserve District. |
| Forest of the Wabash |
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|
1965 | 38°21′31″N 87°49′30″W / 38.35861°N 87.82500°W / 38.35861; -87.82500 | Wabash | State | Part of Beall Woods State Park, the site includes minimally disturbed bottom- and up-land forests along the Wabash River, including a major example of the region's remaining oak-hickory forest. |
| Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve | 
|
1986 | 37°58′39″N 89°48′02″W / 37.97750°N 89.80056°W / 37.97750; -89.80056 | Monroe | State | Fults Hill is the region's best and least disturbed example of loess hill prairies. |
| Funks Grove Nature Preserve | 
|
1974 | 40°21′49″N 89°06′52″W / 40.36361°N 89.11444°W / 40.36361; -89.11444 | McLean | State, private | Transitional site between oak-hickory forest prevalent in the region and the western edge of the eastern mesophytic association. A now-rare example of the area's virgin forests. |
| Giant City Geological Area | 
|
1980 | 37°36′18″N 89°11′18″W / 37.60500°N 89.18833°W / 37.60500; -89.18833 | Union | State | A part of Giant City State Park, the Geological Area is characterized by joint-bound sandstone blocks of the Pennsylvanian age, with examples of gravity sliding. It also contains extensive flora, including sugar maple-dominated mesic forests and oak-hickory and xeric oak woodlands. |
| Heron Pond - Little Black Slough Nature Preserve | 
|
1972 | 37°22′01″N 88°57′00″W / 37.367°N 88.950°W / 37.367; -88.950 | Johnson | State, private | Largest remnant of cypress-tupelo swamp in the state, containing alluvial, colluvial and lacustrine sedimentation and a heron rookery. |
| Horseshoe Lake | 
|
1972 | 37°08′56″N 089°21′18″W / 37.14889°N 89.35500°W / 37.14889; -89.35500 (Horseshoe Lake (Alexander County)) | Alexander | State | Home to a wide range of flora, including mature bald cypress, and fauna, including migrating waterfowl and overwintering Canada geese. Part of Horseshoe Lake State Fish and Wildlife Area. |
| Illinois Beach Nature Preserve | 
|
1980 | 42°25′02″N 87°48′42″W / 42.41722°N 87.81167°W / 42.41722; -87.81167 | Lake | State | The site is a part of Illinois Beach State Park, and contains a wide range of savanna, prairie, wetland and beach ecosystems, as well as numerous endangered species. |
| LaRue-Pine Hills Ecological Area | 
|
1974 | 37°35′N 89°25′W / 37.583°N 89.417°W / 37.583; -89.417 | Union | Federal, state, private | Part of the Shawnee National Forest, the Ecological Area provides habitat for diverse vegetation, representing plants from throughout the state, including 40 rare species. |
| Little Grand Canyon | 
|
1980 | 37°41′11″N 89°23′54″W / 37.68644°N 89.39844°W / 37.68644; -89.39844 | Jackson | Federal | A large box canyon with vertical overhanging walls, containing a wide range of ecosystems, including sandstone, oak-hickory forest and prairie. The area is known for its wide range of snakes that hibernate in its seasonal habitats. Located in Shawnee National Forest. |
| Lower Cache River Swamp | 
|
1980 | 37°04′01″N 89°10′22″W / 37.066944°N 89.172778°W / 37.066944; -89.172778 | Johnson, Pulaski | State, private | The swamp is a remnant fragment of a once-extensive ecosystem, providing habitat for large trees, including three that hold the records for the largest of their respective species. |
| Lusk Creek Canyon | 
|
1980 | 37°31′08″N 88°32′24″W / 37.518889°N 88.54°W / 37.518889; -88.54 (Lusk Creek Canyon) | Pope | Federal, state | Part of the Shawnee National Forest, Lusk Creek Canyon was formed by stream erosion and mass wasting through lower Pennsylvanian sandstone. The site includes two major forest ecosystems and numerous endangered plant species. |
| Markham Prairie | 
|
1987 | 41°36′25″N 87°41′16″W / 41.60694°N 87.68778°W / 41.60694; -87.68778 | Cook | Federal, state, private | The largest high quality undisturbed prairie in the state and one of the largest in the area, Markham is a remaining fragment of a once-widespread ecosystem. Containing a mixture of sand prairie and tallgrass prairie, it also includes an undeveloped lakebed and beach ridges. |
| Mississippi Palisades | 
|
1972 | 42°08′18″N 90°09′32″W / 42.138333°N 90.158889°W / 42.138333; -90.158889 | Carroll | State | Contains cliffs, caves, and valleys illustrative of palisades topography, as well as extensive animal and plant habitat. Located in an eponymous state park. |
| Volo Bog Nature Preserve | 
|
1972 | 42°21′06″N 88°11′10″W / 42.351667°N 88.186111°W / 42.351667; -88.186111 | Lake | State | Classic example of northern quaking bog, providing a habitat for numerous unusual and rare plant species. |
| Wauconda Bog Nature Preserve |
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|
1972 | 42°15′14″N 88°07′49″W / 42.2539°N 88.1302°W / 42.2539; -88.1302 | Lake | County | Furthest south example of mature bog in the state, with a regionally unusual biotic community. |
