Plenty of wildlife already calls Columbia Reservation home. Typical species include muskrat, deer, skunk, rabbit, raccoon, frogs and turtles. Some unique mammal species include a healthy population of mink, beaver, least shrew, and the secretive star-nosed mole. A huge number of spiny soft-shelled turtles are often seen basking in the sun in early spring on the sandy shoreline. There’s also a growing bird population including waterfowl, raptors and songbirds. Some notable species include pileated woodpecker, red-shouldered hawk, herons, and barred owl. 

 

Predominant flora includes rushes and sedges—all of which are common to and indicate hydric or water-saturated soils. Other herbaceous species include ironweed (distinguished by a rich purple flower), wild hyacinth, tickseed, wing-stem, bur-reed, bottled gentian, and purple vervain. Tree species that are typical of wetland areas include box elder, pin oak, dogwood, bur oak, black walnut, willow, sycamore, wild black cherry, sassafras, lots of buttonbush and even some sizeable stands of paw paw.