The nature reserve is the largest protected remnant of native prairie in Ontario (it is thought that prairies once covered large sections of Ontario's west and southwest.) The area includes tracts of untilled tall grass prairies, open woodlands called savanna and reclaimed agricultural lands.

More than 500 flowering plants are found in and around the nature reserve. Important plant families include composites, grasses, figworts, mints and lilies. About 18 percent of these plants are considered to be rare in Ontario. Like many of its plants, the nature reserve's fauna also has southern and western affinities. Butler's garter snake, bobwhite and yellow...