About

Bluff Spring Fen, located in Elgin, Illinois, is a truly remarkable and globally significant natural area, recognized as an Illinois Nature Preserve due to its exceptionally high-quality ecosystems. This 160-acre (approximately) preserve is a fascinating mosaic of diverse habitats, including prairies, woodlands, savannas, ponds, streams, and most notably, its namesake fen. What makes Bluff Spring Fen so special is the rare fen wetland itself. Fens are unique wetlands fed by mineral-rich springs that maintain a constant, cool temperature (around 50 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round. As groundwater percolates through limestone deposits, it picks up minerals like calcium carbonate, making the water highly alkaline. These unusual conditions support an extraordinary assortment of rare and specialized plants and animals that cannot thrive elsewhere. Bluff Spring Fen boasts approximately 25 acres of graminoid fen, representing a significant portion of the remaining high-quality fen ecosystems in Illinois. Access to Bluff Spring Fen is primarily through the winding roads of Bluff City Cemetery. Visitors can explore the preserve via well-maintained trails, including some boardwalks that allow for closer observation of the sensitive wetland areas.