These grounds are actively managed, with a view towards sound conservation. Learn more detail about Management of Prairies, Wetland and Timber . The original habitat of the higher parts of the valley was probably burr oak savanna. In burr oak savanna, the trees are scattered with park-like spacing. Prairie plants, many shade tolerant, grow underneath.
Burr oaks are resistant to fire damage since they have a thick dense bark.
Other species were thinned by prairie fires. Burr oaks are still scattered along the ridge lines , although the original prairie plants underneath them have largely been replaced with brome grass and row crops, and many original trees have been cut. A three acre reconstructed Burr Oak Savanna can be seen in the valley. The native prairie plants of this area have been hurt badly by row crop agriculture, improved pastures planted to brome grass and alfalfa and herbicides. However, there are still many, many patches of native prairie in the valley.