List of National Natural Landmarks in Illinois

Markham Prairie, the most recently designated NNL in Illinois

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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]

## National Natural Landmarks[edit]

Forest of the Wabash

Bell Smith Springs

Lower Cache River

LaRue-Pine Hills

Fults Hill Prairie

Funks Grove Nature Preserve

Markham Prairie

Giant City

Heron Pond

Horseshoe Lake

Illinois Beach

Little Grand Canyon

Lusk Creek Canyon

Mississippi Palisades

Busse Forest Nature Preserve

Allerton Natural Area

Volo Bog

Wauconda Bog

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Illinois National Natural Landmarks (clickable map)

Name  | Image  | Date  | Location  | County  | Ownership  | Description

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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 |

| 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 |

| 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.

## See also[edit]

* List of ecoregions in Illinois
* Illinois Natural History Survey

## References[edit]

General

* "National Registry of Natural Landmarks" (PDF). National Park Service. June 2009. pp. Introduction, 29–32. Retrieved 2014-03-01.

Specific

1. ^ "National Registry of Natural Landmarks" (PDF). National Park Service. June 2009. pp. Introduction, 29–32. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
2. ^ "Illinois". National Park Service. June 28, 2012. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
3. ^ "36 CFR Part 62: National Natural Landmarks Program, Final Rule" (PDF). Federal Register. May 12, 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-17. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
4. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-03-01.

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National Natural Landmarks in the United States

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* Illinois
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* New Hampshire
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* North Carolina
* North Dakota
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* South Dakota
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* Vermont
* Virginia
* Washington
* West Virginia
* Wisconsin
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* American Samoa
* Guam
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* Virgin Islands

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Protected areas of Illinois

Federal|

| National Historic Sites and Parks and national monument|

* Chicago Portage
* Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley
* Lincoln Home
* New Philadelphia
* Pullman

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National Forest|

* Shawnee

National Wildlife Refuges|

* Chautauqua
* Crab Orchard
* Cypress Creek
* Driftless Area
* Emiquon
* Great River
* Hackmatack
* Kankakee
* Mark Twain
* Meredosia
* Middle Mississippi River
* Port Louisa
* Two Rivers
* Upper Mississippi River

National Grassland|

* Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

National Trails/National Heritage Area|

* Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area
* Illinois and Michigan Canal
* Lewis and Clark
* Mormon Pioneer
* Trail of Tears

National Natural Landmarks|

* List of National Natural Landmarks in Illinois

National Wild and Scenic Rivers|

* Middle Fork Vermilion River

Wetlands of international importance|

* Cache River-Cypress Creek
* The Emiquon Complex
* Dixon Waterfowl Refuge
* Chiwaukee Illinois Beach Lake Plain (shared with Wisconsin)
* Upper Mississippi (shared)

State|

| State Parks|

* Apple River
* Argyle Lake
* Beall Woods
* Beaver Dam
* Buffalo Rock
* Castle Rock
* Cave-in-Rock
* Chain O'Lakes
* Channahon
* Delabar
* Dixon Springs
* Donnelley/Depue
* Ferne Clyffe
* Fort Massac
* Fox Ridge
* Gebhard Woods
* Giant City
* Hennepin Canal Parkway
* Horseshoe Lake
* Illini
* Illinois Beach
* James "Pate" Philip
* Jubilee College
* Kankakee River
* Lake Murphysboro
* Lincoln Trail
* Lowden
* Matthiessen
* Mississippi Palisades
* Moraine Hills
* Morrison-Rockwood
* Nauvoo
* Pere Marquette
* Red Hills
* Rock Cut
* Rock Island Trail
* Shabbona Lake
* Siloam Springs
* South Shore
* Starved Rock
* Walnut Point
* Weinberg-King
* White Pines Forest
* Wildlife Prairie
* William G. Stratton
* Wolf Creek

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State Historic Sites|

* List of Illinois State Historic Sites (including, Cahokia World Heritage Site)

State Forests|

* Big River
* Hidden Springs
* Lowden-Miller
* Sand Ridge
* Trail of Tears

State
Recreation Areas|

* Clinton Lake
* Eagle Creek
* Eldon Hazlet
* Frank Holten
* Golconda Marina
* Johnson-Sauk Trail
* Kickapoo
* Lake Le-Aqua-Na
* Moraine View
* North Point Marina
* Prophetstown
* Pyramid
* Ramsey Lake
* Randolph County
* Sangchris Lake
* Stephen A. Forbes
* Washington County
* Wayne Fitzgerrell
* Weldon Springs
* William W. Powers

State Fish and
Wildlife Areas|

* Anderson Lake
* Baldwin Lake
* Banner Marsh
* Carlyle Lake
* Coffeen Lake
* Crawford County
* Des Plaines
* Double T
* Edward R. Madigan
* Green River
* Hamilton County
* Heidecke Lake
* Horseshoe Lake (Alexander County)
* Iroquois County
* Kaskaskia River
* Kinkaid Lake
* Kishwaukee River
* LaSalle Lake
* Mackinaw River
* Marshall
* Mautino
* Mazonia/Braidwood
* Mermet Lake
* Middle Fork
* Mississippi River
* Newton Lake
* Jim Edgar Panther Creek
* Peabody River
* Pekin Lake
* Powerton Lake
* Ray Norbut
* Rend Lake
* Rice Lake
* Sahara Woods
* Saline County
* Sam Dale Lake
* Sam Parr
* Sanganois
* Shelbyville
* Silver Springs
* Snakeden Hollow
* Spring Lake
* Ten Mile Creek
* Turkey Bluffs
* Union County
* Woodford

State Natural Areas|

* Cache River
* Franklin Creek
* Fults Hill Prairie
* Goose Lake Prairie
* Harry "Babe" Woodyard
* Illinois Caverns
* Kidd Lake
* Piney Creek Ravine
* Prairie Ridge
* Revis Hill Prairie
* Sand Prairie-Scrub Oak
* Sielbeck Forest
* Spitler Woods
* Volo Bog

State Trails|

* Mormon Trail
* Trail of Tears
* Tunnel Hill

Local|

| County Districts|

* Local forest and conservation districts

|

* Category
* Chicago
* East St. Louis
* Illinois Department of Natural Resources
* Commons

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