Welcome to Exner Marsh
This site makes the best of the Conservation District because it is a unique wetland and several parts of this 233 acres site are Illinois State Nature Preserves. Hike or enjoy a picnic but please, no fishing!
Exner Marsh lies in a shallow glacial lake bed now entirely underlain by organic deposits and bordered by uplands consisting of both glacial till and outwash deposits. It is representative of the Morainal Section of the Northeastern Morainal Division. Emergent shallow water marsh is the dominant community punctuated throughout by shallow ponds. Cattails, bulrush and rice cut grass are the common plants of the marsh with white water lily, spatterdock and bladderwort the dominant plants of the shallow ponds. Calcareous floating mat community occupies a core of suspended peat and small scattered peat mats.
This community is related to the early stages of bog development. Wire sedge, blue joint, and marsh shield fern are the common plants. Exner Marsh has rich wetland bird community including migratory species which use the marsh as a staging ground during their spring and fall migration. Bluewing teal, sora, Virginia rail, king rail, least bittern, pied-billed grebe, common moorhen and yellow-headed blackbird can be found in the marsh. Black-crowned night-heron and great egret feed here. Prescribed burning and vegetation, fish and bird surveys are conducted to enhance and monitor the quality of the wetland.
Because this is an Illinois State Nature Preserve you must remain on the path and the boardwalk and do not pick or disturb any of the plants or animals you find. More information about Illinois Nature Preserves including the rules and regulations can be found here Illinois Nature Preserves.
GeoSeries Question
This aquatic mammal can be seen throughout McHenry County. It likes to build its lodge out of cattails and other wetland vegetation. The marshes in Glacial Park or Exner Marsh are great places to look for their lodges. What is this aquatic mammal?
Geocachers
Please join us in playing! Geocaching is a high-tech “treasure hunting” game played throughout the world by adventure seeker. All are welcome who observe and obey the rules.
- Please do not move or vandalize the container.
- Once you find it, log your name in the book, take a trinket and leave one of your own behind for the next person.
- Replace the cache in the same spot that you found it, and make sure it is completely covered.
- Please do not remove the informational card from the containers, this is an essential game piece for cachers completing the GeoSeries.
- The real treasure is finding the container and sharing your thoughts with everyone who finds it.
For a complete list of rules and instructions on how to earn a special district geocoin visit MCCDistrict.org/Geocache
Email geocaching@MCCDistrict.org with any questions or concerns
McHenry County Conservation District Information
Visit our website at MCCDistrict.org or call (815) 338-6223
Photo Release
Photos posted here may be featured on the McHenry County Conservation District's various social media accounts including Facebook, Instagram, and twitter, as well as our website (MCCDistrict.org) and print material such as Landscapes Magazine. By posting photos to this log you agree to allow us to share your work. Photographers will be acknowledged in any shares or posts of photos, so please include your name in your post if it is different from that of your username.