Ryerson Nature Preserve –

Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area

This 235-acre Illinois Nature Preserve exists within the 565-acre Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area, which supports some of Illinois' most pristine woodlands and several state threatened and endangered species. This protected land includes one of the best examples of a northern flatwoods forest, a rare northern Illinois landscape, and most of the floodplain forest left in northeastern Illinois.

The Nature Preserve contains four distinct forest communities that are representative of the Morainal Section of the Northeastern Morainal Natural Division. The wet floodplain forest is located along the Des Plaines River. Silver maple and bur oak are characteristic species. The mesic sugar maple forest is on the better-drained terrace soil. The drier uplands are dominated by oaks and hickories with younger sugar maples common in the understory. Finally, a wet flatwood is located on a poorly drained upland area. Many showy marsh and meadow plant species occur here: gentian, great blue lobelia, and cardinal flower. The area also provides valuable wetland habitat for several species of bird, waterfowl, and other wildlife.

According to a 2008 study, the oldest cored trees include a walnut which was estimated to have germinated in 1812, a bur oak in 1815, and a sugar maple in 1828. Each of these trees were established in understory conditions and released into canopy gaps in the mid to late 1800s.