[6] Dunes and swales were created after sand was deposited, but before vegetation could grow, during what is called the Parkland Formation.

[1] A 2013 study of vascular plants found 141 non-native (exotic) species in the state forest.

[1] Endemic species include the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia), that may be more familiar to Mexicans and residents of the U.S.

[12][7][6] Little bluestem, leadplant, green milkweed, butterfly-weed, purple coneflower, colic root, grass pink orchid, silvery bladderpod, bearberry, and winged sumac can all be found in the sand prairie habitat.

[1] Another study from 2011 found approximately 70 endangered and threatened species, of which 40 are restricted to glacial drift sand habitats.

[2] In June 1985, Sand Ridge State Forest provided a male specimen of a new species of wolf spider for study.

[7][15] The Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery is a 160 acres (65 ha) site that is located in the northwest corner of Sand Ridge State Forest.

[17][18] Initially called the Sand Ridge Hatchery, the facility broke ground on December 3, 1979.

In 1985, the facility was renamed after the late Jacob John "Jake" Wolf, former Deputy Director of Conservation.

[13] Bird species include: northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, red-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, dark-eyed junco, American goldfinch, red-tailed hawk, yellow-billed cuckoo, whip-poor-will, red-headed woodpecker, northern flicker, eastern wood pewee, house wren, gray catbird, red-eyed vireo, summer tanager, and rose-breasted grosbeak.

[6] Sand Ridge is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) as open space for active recreational purposes, especially whitetail deer hunting.

Revis Hill Prairie, also located within Mason County, is operated by IDNR as a disjunct area of Sand Ridge State Forest.