Lakeplain prairie is a globally imperiled ecosystem. Historically, 158,000 acres of lake plain prairie existed in Michigan in the early 1800s with over 80 percent occurring in Monroe, Wayne, and St. Clair counties. Today, only 745 acres or 0.6 percent of the historical prairie remain. St. John’s Wet Prairie Natural Area is part of a highly significant cluster of lake plain prairies within the St. Clair River delta. Lakeplain prairies are relatively flat, occurring on sand ridges overlying clay. High water tables fluctuate seasonally and, over the years, with the rise and fall of the Great Lakes. Fires were also important for maintaining lake plain prairies. Close to 160 different kinds of plants, including many showy prairie wildflowers such as blazing star and tall sunflower and grasses such as big bluestem and Indian grass, grow in St. John’s Wet Prairie Natural Area. The DNR Wildlife Division manages the Natural Area and the adjacent 3,000 acres St. John’s Marsh with prescribed fires.