Volo Bog: Illinois' unique open-water quaking bog

Full text

Tucked away along the backroads of Volo, Illinois, you can find a hidden wonder of the natural world. In the heart of its very own nature preserve is Volo Bog, an open-water quaking bog full of unique flora and fauna. The only one of its kind in Illinois (and the furthest south of its kind in North America), this bog comprises multiple microbiomes illustrating every stage of bog succession. These stages can even be safely explored along a boardwalk path leading directly into the heart of the bog.

Something that makes Volo Bog different from other bodies of water is that it is covered in peat, a substance made when sphagnum moss decomposes biomass. The peat acts as a layer of nutrients, allowing plants such as tamarack trees to take root while effectively floating on the water. These plants, as well as the local animals they attract, create a one-of-a-kind environment that truly feels like stepping into a faraway land.

After swapping owners various times in the mid-to-late 20th century, the bog is now a natural park that is freely open to all visitors. It is also surrounded by various additional footpaths, for those who may want to explore the forested boundaries of the bog. Near the parking lot is also a former dairy barn that's been converted into the bog's visitor center. Inside the center is a library, a small museum, and a shop, among other resources for the curious and the adventurous.