Loda Cemetery Prairie Nature Preserve

County: Iroquois
Ownership: Grand Prairie Friends-Prairie Grove Volunteers
Dedication: June 1983
Size: 3.4 acres

Loda Cemetery Prairie is an outstanding example of the original mesic black soil prairie in the Grand Prairie Section of the Grand Prairie Natural Division. For many years the prairie at Loda Cemetery was idle. The grasses were mowed regularly but were never cultivated or pastured. In 1981, the Cemetery Association ran out of burial space in Pine Ridge Cemetery and made plans to expand into the prairie. The Natural Lands Institute negotiated an alternative plan that would allow for expansion of the cemetery while preserving the prairie. The institute acquired 5 acres of farmland adjacent to the cemetery to give to the Cemetery Association. In turn, the Association agreed to dedicate the prairie as a nature preserve.

The prairie contains over 130 native plant species. The dominant grasses are Indian grass and big bluestem. Common spring flowers include shooting star, downy phlox, and yellow star grass. Rattlesnake master, compass plant, and wild quinine are typical during the summer, while goldenrods and asters are abundant in the fall. The small size of the preserve limits its value as a wildlife refuge since most birds and mammals require more extensive habitat, but grasshopper sparrow, yellowthroat, and meadowlark have nested in the prairie. Also, many uncommon butterflies restricted to prairies may reside here. The charismatic prairie cicada may be heard singing and seen flying here in July.

PLANT LIST FOR LODA CEMETERY PRAIRIE

updated: January 10, 2002
www: www.prairienet.org/gpf
email: gpf@prairienet.org