The map below identifies many of the QCR’s natural areas. These include state nature preserves, county forest preserves, wildlife management areas, as well as city parks which still contain a degree of natural vegetation worth exploring. Although there are many other high quality natural areas just outside these bounds that are worthy of appreciation and exploration, the map only shows sites that fall within the 7 county QC Region (click here for discussion on how I am defining the region). Curious folks are encouraged to look further.
Are there any natural areas that are not on this list that you think should be? Please comment below.
Remnant Prairies
Below is a list of the few bits of remnant prairie in the Quad Cities Region.
- Illinois
- Indian Bluff Hill Prairie, Milan, IL – Dry-mesic loess hill prairie
- Munson Township Cemetery Prairie, Cambridge, IL – Mesic black-soil prairie
- Greenlee Cemetery Prairie, Cambridge, IL – Mesic black-soil prairie
- Brownlee Cemetery Prairie, Alexis, IL – Mesic black-soil prairie
- Thomson – Fulton Sand Prairie, Fulton, IL – Dry sand prairie
- Mineral Marsh, Annawan, IL – Dry to wet sand prairie
- Iowa
- Fairmount Cemetery Prairie, Davenport, IA – Mesic black-soil prairie
- Manikowski Prairie, Goose Lake, IA – Dry and dry-mesic limestone prairie
- Shield Prairie, Muscatine, IA – Mesic black-soil prairie
- Duke Prairie, Olive Township, IA – Mesic black-soil prairie
Flora of the Quad Cities Region 
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