Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve
| Hoosier Prairie State Nature Preserve | |
|---|---|
View of wetland prairie
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| Location | Lake County, Indiana, USA |
| Nearest city | Griffith, Indiana |
| Coordinates | 41°31′21.66″N 87°27′27.26″W / 41.5226833°N 87.4575722°WCoordinates: 41°31′21.66″N 87°27′27.26″W / 41.5226833°N 87.4575722°W |
| Area | Indiana Dept of Natural Resources and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore |
| Established | 1976 |
| Governing body | |
| Designated | 1974 |
Hoosier Prairie began in the 1970s as wasteland that conservation organization found of a unique interest. From a core of 304 acres (123 ha), it has grown to 1,547 acres (626 ha) of important prairie habitat. The area was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974 and a State Nature Preserve in 1977 The sandy soil creates a variety of habitats, from oak barrens, wet prairie, including sedge meadows and prairie marshes. More than 350 native species of vascular plants have been identified. A minimum of 43 species are uncommon in the State of Indiana. It is a unit of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
Wheelchair accessible The first 0.15 miles (0.24 km) is considered to be wheelchair accessible. It is a wide gravel path. You can travel partway into the prairie, along the 'old field' restoration area on the west. A line of trees on the east open to provide views into the prairie marsh.
The trails into the prairie are chipped bark pathways, which can have the surrounding grasses and forbs leaning across them. They are only a single file track in width and not suitable for walkers or persons walking side by side.
Prairie marsh trail is a 0.25 miles (0.40 km) circular trail from just beyond the midpoint of the accessible trail back to the end of the accessible trail.
Savanna trail is 0.3 miles (0.48 km) circular trail from the eastern edge of the Prairie marsh trail, returning to the same point on the marsh trail.
The prairie is located on West Main Street, Griffith, Indiana. The area is accessible from a parking lot on Main Street (E 53rd St) just east of Kennedy Avenue. A trail, leads off through the prairie to the east.
Rare habitats exist in the Hoosier Prairie Preserve, including the dry black oak barrens, wetland pools, and moist prairies. The areas support over 350 native plants. Of these, 43 are uncommon or rarely seen within Indiana. These rare plants include the white wild indigo, prairie parsley, Indian paintbrush, rose pogonia and the tall Indian grass. Some unusual creatures seen in the prairie include the red-headed woodpecker, sedge wrens and the brown butterfly. Among the prairie "potholes', which hold water most of the year, there will be reptiles and amphibians.
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Wikipedia