Shannon Prairie

Dedicated in memory of Dorothy Shannon, a founding mother of the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy and instrumental force in the establishment of the Conservancy, this 52-acre parcel is an example of important mid-slope mesic prairie. It is a transition zone as the savanna highlands blends into a tallgrass prairie and down into sedge meadow and marshland. When established in 2003, the Friends sourced important species not currently found in restored areas of the Conservancy. A 2023 vegetation survey confirmed that, on its 20th anniversary, the Shannon Prairie is a thriving, diverse prairie, and a constant reminder of the legacy of prior land stewards and our obligation to continue their work.