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St. John's Wet Prairie
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Recognition: |
The Nature Conservancy Natural
Areas Registry |
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| Size: |
87 acres |
| Location: |
Approximately 15 miles south of St.
Clair in southeast Michigan |
| Management: |
St. Clair Flats Wildlife Area |
| Activities: |
Canoeing, fishing (non-motorized),
hunting, nature study, photography, birdwatching |
Importance:
Lakeplain prairie is a globally imperiled ecosystem. Historically, 158,000 acres of
lakeplain prairie existed in Michigan in the early 1800s with over 80 percent occuring in
Monroe, Wayne, and St. Clair counties. Today, only 745 acres or 0.6 percent of the
historical prairie remain. St. John's Wet Prairie Natural Area is part of a highly
significant cluster of lakeplain prairies within the St. Clair River delta. Lakeplain
prairies are relatively flat, occuring on sand ridges overlaying clay. High water tables
fluctuate seasonally and, over the years, with the rise and fall of the Great Lakes. Fires
were also important for maintaining lakeplain prairies. Close to 160 different kinds of
plants, including many showy prairie wildflowers such as blazing star and tall sun flower
and grasses such as big blue stem and Indian grass, grow in St. John's Wet Prairie Natural
Area. The DNR Wildlife Division manages the Natural Area and the adjacent 3,000 acre St.
John's Marsh with prescribed fires. |
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