Highmoor Nature Preserve

This park is designated a natural area. Highmoor Nature Preserve, a 10.5 acre Illinois Nature Preserve has dedicated trails for hiking, consisting of oak savanna, wetlands and remnant prairie. The preserve has a small gravel parking lot. The Preserve was once slated to be a housing development. Sidewalks were installed, and then the Depression hit. One and one half acres of the preserve were farmed for agriculture at one point, but the remaining 8.5 acres were left alone allowing for the native plants to survive. Today the sidewalks serve as good firebreaks for prescribed burns, as well as, preferred sites for brush pile burns that reduce impact on the land.  The Natural Areas Program received a grant in 2002 from U.S. Fish and Wildlife to restore natural habitat for the endangered Prairie White Fringed Orchid at Highmoor Nature Preserve. The Ecological restoration was conducted by The Care of Trees. Eagle Scout Kevin Kelley built the bluebird boxes at Highmoor Nature Preserve from donated materials in 2002. Eagle Scout Devin Withey built the bridges and boardwalks at Highmoor Nature Preserve from donated materials in 2000.

Features, Amenities and Activities

Wildlife include white-tailed deer, fox, coyotes, owls, songbirds and woodcocks. Other inhabitants include insects, Prairie Cray-fish and an assortment of butterflies. In fact, the butterfly monitors for Highmoor reported the highest count for the butterfly known as Spring Azures in 2002.