The landscape at Eggers Grove moves from dry, wooded ridges where spring wildflowers thrive to long, narrow wetlands filled with sedges, marsh grasses and waterfowl. The site has picnic groves and open space for recreation, as well.

On this page:

• Locations & Things to Do
• Trails
• Events
• Nature Notes
• Volunteer Opportunities

Location & Things to Do

Trails

Events

Nature Notes

The land where Eggers Grove now stands once lay under the waters of Lake Michigan’s larger ancestor, Lake Chicago. As the water retreated, it left behind sand ridges. Between the ridges, long wetlands formed. Today, Eggers is a unique habitat, combining dry, wooded ridges where spring wildflowers thrive with long, narrow wetlands filled with sedges, marsh grasses, wildflowers and waterfowl.

The large marsh to the southeast is one of the few remaining local wetlands where Virginia rails nest. Other bird species include gray catbirds, yellow warblers, song sparrows, eastern kingbirds and red-eyed vireos. The varied woodland and wetland landscape attracts spring and fall migrations of waterfowl and songbirds. Ongoing restoration work helps maintain this ecologically significant area.

Learn more about restoration efforts at Eggers Grove:

• Eggers Grove Marsh Restoration Page
• Restoration Plan Developed for Critical Wetland Habitat (May 2016)
• What is Restoration? Page

Volunteer Opportunities

Help remove invasive species that threaten to crowd out native plants. Trained leaders show you how to identify plants that don’t belong and demonstrate how to safely use hand tools. Workdays may also include native seed collection, hand pulling invasive plants, and nature walks to enjoy the preserve.