Fen Overlook Area

Fens in Illinois are a rare and special type of wetland that forms in areas where groundwater rich in calcium and/or magnesium seeps out of the ground. These fens are home to specialized plants that can tolerate the alkaline water.  The “Eldamain-Schaeffer Road Fen” was identified as an important ecological remnant area by the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory in 1999 prior to the District’s acquisition of Subat Forest Preserve in 2001.  A floristic quality survey documented the presence of over 186 native species of plants and FQI score of 56.97.  Areas with FQI’s greater than 50 are extremely rare and are of paramount importance for conservation, as they represent less than 0.5% of the land area in the Chicago Region.  Some of the flowing perennials adapted to these conditions include Great angelica, Bristly aster, Panicled aster, Bulbous cress, Turtlehead, Marsh shield fern, Cardinal flower, Blue flag iris, and Great water dock.