Sagawau Canyon, Protected canyon in Lemont, Illinois.
Sagawau Canyon is a protected valley in Lemont with exposed dolomite rock faces that create a distinctive stone landscape. The cliff walls create special habitats where rare plants grow in crevices and on the stone surfaces.
The valley was officially designated as a protected site in 1984 by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The protection status was established to safeguard the rare geological and ecological features of the location for future generations.
The site serves as a place where people connect with nature and local geology through hands-on learning. The center here offers programs that help visitors understand how plants and rock formations support each other.
The valley can only be visited through naturalist-led tours offered from spring through fall and require advance reservations. It is wise to wear comfortable walking shoes since the path goes through rocky areas and slopes.
The valley is home to rare plants such as bulblet fern and purple cliff brake, species normally found only in other regions of the United States. These plants thrive here because of the special rock structures and soil conditions found nowhere else in the area.
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