Conrad Savanna Nature Preserve

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Conrad Savanna Nature Preserve

Conrad Savanna P5160080.jpg

Open oak savanna
USA Indiana location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Map of Indiana
Location Newton County, Indiana
Nearest city Lake Village
Coordinates 41°06′04″N87°28′05″W / 41.101099°N 87.467953°W / 41.101099; -87.467953 Coordinates: 41°06′04″N87°28′05″W / 41.101099°N 87.467953°W / 41.101099; -87.467953
Area 453 acres (183 ha)
Governing body Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Sign at the corner of CR 700 N and CR 400 W Conrad Savanna Sign P5160075.jpg
Sign at the corner of CR 700 N and CR 400 W

Conrad Savanna Nature Preserve is a 453-acre (183 ha) nature preserve located in Newton County, Indiana, 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of Lake Village, just west of U.S. 41 on County Road 700 North. The savanna contains alternating rolling sand dunes and level areas. Typical of a savanna, it is covered by trees, grasses, and sedges. The dominant plants include Junegrass, Pennsylvania sedge, porcupine grass, little bluestem, Indian grass and big bluestem. [1] The preserve is managed as by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

Newton County, Indiana County in Indiana, United States

Newton County is a county located near the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 14,244. This county is part of Northwest Indiana as well as the Chicago metropolitan area. The county seat is Kentland. The county is divided into 10 townships which provide local services.

Lake Village, Indiana Census-designated place in Indiana, United States

Lake Village is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lake Township, Newton County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 765 at the 2010 census.

U.S. Route 41 in Indiana highway in Indiana

In the U.S. state of Indiana, U.S. Route 41 (US 41) is a north–south highway that is parallel to the Illinois state line. It enters the state south of Evansville as a four-lane divided highway passing around Vincennes and traveling north to Terre Haute. In Terre Haute, it is known as 3rd Street. North of Terre Haute, it hooks east and becomes a two-lane surface road. Those wanting to stay on a four-lane divided highway can use State Road 63 to the west. It passes through Rockville, Veedersburg, and Attica before returning to a four-lane divided highway when SR 63 terminates in Warren County. It remains a four-lane divided highway until Lake County where it becomes a main road known as Indianapolis Boulevard. It overlaps US 12 and US 20 in Hammond and exits Indiana into the South Side of Chicago.

Contents

Habitat

The savanna has changed little from the period when eastern settlers first arrived south of the Kankakee River. The soil is a fine sand quartz, which covers the preserve and the areas surrounding it. It primarily occurs in the sand hills, much of the surrounding flatlands contains sand. Savannas in this region are dominated by oak trees. Oaks survive in the sands which shed water rapidly, creating drought-like conditions. Throughout northwest Indiana, the oak savannas are primarily black oak and white oaks. [2] Typical dry prairie plants include hairy puccoon, goat's rue, blunt-leaved milkweed, leadplant, and New Jersey tea. These are in addition to the grasses listed above. [2]

Kankakee River tributary of the Illinois River

The Kankakee River is a tributary of the Illinois River, approximately 133 miles (214 km) long, in northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois in the United States. At one time, the river drained one of the largest wetlands in North America and furnished a significant portage between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Significantly altered from its original channel, it flows through a primarily rural farming region of reclaimed cropland, south of Lake Michigan.

<i>Quercus velutina</i> tree species

Quercus velutina, the eastern black oak or more commonly known as simply black oak, is a species in the red oak group of oaks. It is widespread in eastern and central North America, found in all the coastal states from Maine to Texas, inland as far as Michigan, Ontario, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas.

<i>Quercus alba</i> species of plant

Quercus alba, the white oak, is one of the preeminent hardwoods of eastern and central North America. It is a long-lived oak, native to eastern and central North America and found from Minnesota, Ontario, Quebec, and southern Maine south as far as northern Florida and eastern Texas. Specimens have been documented to be over 450 years old.

Conrad Station Savanna

Conrad Station Savanna is east of Conrad Savanna Nature Preserve on County Road 725 North. A parking lot and trail area available at CR 725 N and CR 250 W. [1] Like the Nature Preserve, Conrad Station is dominated by savanna plants, including the hairy puccoon, cleft phlox ( Phlox bifida ), New Jersey tea and sand milkweed ( Asclepias amplexicaulis ). [1] Along the trail, prickly pear cactus can be found in the small open rises. Savanna wildlife that is most readily seen includes a variety of birds, i.e., red-head woodpeckers, turkey and quail. The glass lizard is common. Because it lives most of its life underground, it is rarely seen. [1] Conrad Station has an 1.8 miles (2.9 km) interpretive trail with information signs. It follows old fire roads through the preserve. [1]

<i>Phlox</i> genus of plants

Phlox is a genus of 67 species of perennial and annual plants in the family Polemoniaceae. They are found mostly in North America in diverse habitats from alpine tundra to open woodland and prairie. Some flower in spring, others in summer and fall. Flowers may be pale blue, violet, pink, bright red, or white. Many are fragrant. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

<i>Phlox bifida</i> species of plant

Phlox bifida, the cleft phlox or sand phlox, is native to the Midwestern United States, the Ozarks, and the cedar glades of Kentucky and Tennessee. It is found on rock outcrops, limestone glades, and in generally dry or sandy areas.

<i>Asclepias amplexicaulis</i> species of plant

Asclepias amplexicaulis, the blunt-leaved milkweed or clasping milkweed, is a species of milkweed, in the subfamily Asclepiadaceae. It is native to the United States, where it is mostly found in the central and eastern regions. It grows in dry fields and open woods, usually in sandy soil.

Controlled burns

Both Conrad Savanna and Conrad Station use controlled burns to maintain the savannas. IDNR burned the savanna north of CR 700 N during the winter of 2010-11. [2] Controlled burns are also common at Conrad Station. [1] Depending on the burn schedule, each facility may be closed during the spring or fall burning seasons.

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