Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve |
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View of wetland prairie
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| Location | Lake County, Indiana, USA |
| Nearest city | Griffith, Indiana |
| Area | Indiana Dept of Natural Resources and Indiana Dunes National Park |
| Established | 1976 |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Designated: | 1974 |
Hoosier Prairie is a special natural area in Indiana. It started in the 1970s when conservation groups found it to be a unique and important place. It began as about 304 acres (123 ha) and has grown to 1,547 acres (626 ha). This large area is now a vital home for many prairie plants and animals.
In 1974, it was named a National Natural Landmark. Then, in 1977, it became a State Nature Preserve. The sandy soil here creates different types of habitats. These include oak barrens, wet prairies, sedge meadows, and prairie marshes. Over 350 kinds of native plants live here. About 43 of these plants are rare in Indiana. Hoosier Prairie is also part of the Indiana Dunes National Park.
Contents
Exploring Hoosier Prairie Trails
Hoosier Prairie has trails that let you explore its unique environment. Some parts are even easy to access for everyone.
Accessible Trail for All Visitors
The first 0.15 miles (0.24 km) of the trail is great for wheelchairs. It is a wide path made of gravel. This path takes you partway into the prairie. You can see the 'old field' restoration area to the west. A line of trees on the east opens up to views of the prairie marsh.
Other Trails for Hiking
The other trails go deeper into the prairie. They are narrow paths made of chipped bark. Sometimes, the surrounding grasses and forbs might lean over them. These trails are only wide enough for one person at a time. They are not suitable for walkers or for two people walking side by side.
Prairie Marsh Loop Trail
The Prairie marsh trail is a 0.25 miles (0.40 km) loop. It starts just past the middle of the accessible trail. It then circles back to the end of the accessible trail.
Savanna Loop Trail
The Savanna trail is a 0.3 miles (0.48 km) loop. It begins from the eastern edge of the Prairie marsh trail. It also returns to the same spot on the marsh trail.
Finding Hoosier Prairie
Hoosier Prairie is located on West Main Street in Griffith, Indiana. You can get to the area from a parking lot. This parking lot is on Main Street (E 53rd St), just east of Kennedy Avenue. A trail leads from the parking lot into the prairie towards the east.
Wildlife and Plants of Hoosier Prairie
Hoosier Prairie Preserve is home to many rare habitats. These include dry black oak barrens, wetland pools, and moist prairies. These areas support over 350 native plant species. Many of these, about 43, are uncommon or rarely seen in Indiana.
Rare Plants and Animals
Some of the rare plants you might find here include:
- The white wild indigo
- Prairie parsley
- Indian paintbrush
- Rose pogonia
- The tall Indian grass
Unusual animals also live in the prairie. These include:
- The red-headed woodpecker
- Sedge wrens
- The brown butterfly
The prairie also has "potholes" that hold water most of the year. These wet spots are perfect for reptiles and amphibians.
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Restoring the Prairie Habitat
The area where the parking lot is, along Main Street, used to be an old wheat field. As recently as 1970, about 30 acres (12 ha) of it was planted with winter wheat. This land was bought to protect the nearby natural prairie.
With a little help, this old field has started to turn back into a native prairie. Prairies naturally need fire to stay healthy. However, in this urban area, fires have been stopped. So, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources helps the prairie grow back. They do this by removing trees and brush. They also use 'prescribed fires', which are controlled fires set on purpose.
Signs of Successful Restoration
You can see how well the restoration is working by looking at the plants and birds. More and more prairie plants and birds are returning.
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The Prairie Marsh Trail Experience
The Prairie Marsh trail is a .25 miles (0.40 km) loop. It takes you through two different habitats: a tallgrass prairie and a marsh. This area is special because it is a virgin prairie. This means it has never been plowed or grazed by animals.
Both the prairie and the marsh need fire to stay open and have many different plants. Prairie plants have adapted to fire. Their roots survive underground when fire sweeps across the surface. This helps remove woody plants and other plants that don't belong in a prairie. These special root structures include rhizomes, bulbs, corms, and tubers. Prairie plant roots can go down from a few inches to as much as 16 feet (4.9 m) deep. Each plant can also spread sideways through its roots, from 5 feet (1.5 m) to 20 feet (6.1 m), depending on the species.
Key Plants of the Prairie Marsh
Here are some important plants you might see in the prairie marsh:
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The Savanna Trail Experience
The Savanna trail is a .3 miles (0.48 km) loop. It starts from the eastern edge of the Marsh trail. This habitat is like the pine savannas found in northern forests. Here, you'll find ferns and sweetferns growing among prairie plants.
This is an Oak Savanna, with oak trees spread out. Underneath the trees, you'll see wildflowers and grasses. These savannas can survive dry periods because the oaks and prairie plants have taproots. These roots reach deep down to find water. Beyond the oaks, there's an open 'wet prairie'. This area has many plant species that are more common in wetlands than in typical prairies.
Key Plants of the Savanna
Here are some plants you might find in the savanna and wet prairie:
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