The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Why You Should Visit

Ober Savanna Preserve features an exceptionally high-quality black oak sand savanna - a globally endangered ecosystem. Large black oaks are scattered throughout the area with a gorgeous array of wildflowers and grasses underneath.

Location

Starke County

Ecoregion

Central Tallgrass Prairie

Size

90 Acres

Dedicated

State Nature Preserve, 1989

Owned & Managed By

The Nature Conservancy

What The Nature Conservancy is Doing/has Done 

Conservancy staff and volunteers have manually removed invasive species, and prescribed burns have been used to open up the sire and create ideal conditions for herbaceous sand savanna plants and the lupine - an essential necessity for the rare Persius duskywing butterfly.

Things To Do

What to See: Plants and Animals

Set among rolling sand hills and ridges, this globally endangered natural community is home to the state-threatened yellow wild indigo, cream wild indigo and globally endangered fame flower. Numerous butterflies - like the dusted skipper, mottled duskywing and cobweb skipper - and insects are found among the abundant wildflowers such as prickly pear cactus, bluebonnets, Carolina rose, sand cherry, bird-foot violet and wild lupine.

Plan Your Visit

The preserve is open for visitation. However, there are no trails but the terrain will make for an easy hike. For more information please consult the Conservancy’s Preserves Visitation Guidelines.

Directions

From the intersection of U.S. 35 and County Rd. 200S, travel east about 4.5 miles to the preserve located on the north side of the road. There is a small pull-off for 1-2 cars to park.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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