Nachusa Grasslands
| Nachusa Grasslands | |
|---|---|
 Bison at Nachusa | |
  Location within the state of Illinois | |
| Nearest city | Franklin Grove |
| Coordinates | 41°53′28″N 89°20′37″W / 41.89115°N 89.343552°W |
| Established | 1986 |
| Governing body | The Nature Conservancy |
The Nachusa Grasslands is a 3,800 acres (1,500 ha) restored tallgrass prairie near Franklin Grove in Lee County and Ogle County, Illinois. It is managed by The Nature Conservancy staff and volunteers.[1]
History
Most of northern Illinois was tallgrass prairie at the time of statehood in 1818. In the ensuing century, the vast majority of this prairie was plowed up for arable farmland.[2] A Nature Conservancy planning process, aimed at building a restored tallgrass prairie ecosystem in Illinois, commenced in 1985; the first major land acquisition, of 400 acres (160 ha), occurred in 1986.[3] More acreage has been added to create the current open space of 3,800 acres (1,500 ha).[1]
Bison reintroduction
The Nachusa Grasslands planning process called for running up to 100 American bison (Bison bison, also commonly known as "buffalo") on approximately 1,500 acres (610 ha) of the preserve.[4] Thirty bison were released on the Nachusa Grasslands in October 2014.[5] The bison were added to the approximately 700 species logged at the prairie. In April 2015, free-range bison calves were born, adding to hope that the Nachusa herd could be managed so as to be self-sustaining.[6] As of July 2015[update], 14 calves have been born at Nachusa.[7]
Visitor center
The preserve's visitor center includes nearby trailheads, a pavilion with interpretive signage, self-composting restrooms, and a potable water supply.[8] In 2021 it won an architecture award from the American Society of Landscape Architects. Attributes included fulfilling its mission without overpowering the surrounding landscape and that "the facility draws visitors into an interpretive rich shelter framing distant views telling the story of the vast prairie beyond" [8]
February 2020 fire
In February 2020 a fire destroyed the site's pole barn along with much of the equipment used to care for the preserve.[9] The replacement plans include expansion to allow more space for convening volunteers, partners, scientists and community leaders.[9]
References
- ^ a b "Friends of Nachusa Grasslands". Retrieved 2020-01-03.
- ^ "Study challenges ecology's 'Field of Dreams' hypothesis". NIU Newsroom. Northern Illinois University. January 25, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- ^ Esarey, Sharman (October 21, 1989). "New Prairie Created From Ground Up". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Gregory, Ted (September 20, 2015). "Native bison roam again on restored prairie west of Chicago". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Gregory, Ted (October 6, 2014). "After a century, bison return to Illinois". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Gregory, Ted (April 8, 2015). "Baby bison is Illinois' first in nearly two centuries". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Gregory, Ted (July 3, 2015). "Illinois bison busy as rabbits, prairie ambassadors". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ a b Nachuse Visitor Center Receives Architecture Award The Nature of Illinois Magazine Published by the Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy Spring 2021 edition Page 6
- ^ a b Building Nachusa Foreward The Nature of Illinois Magazine Spring 2021 edition Page 3 Published by the Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy