Nachusa Grasslands

Nachusa Grasslands
Bison at Nachusa
Location within the state of Illinois
Location	2075 S Lowden Road Franklin Grove, Illinois
Coordinates	41°53′28″N 89°20′37″W
Area	4,000 acres (1,600 ha)
Established	1986
Governing body	The Nature Conservancy
Website	Official website

The Nachusa Grasslands is a 3,800 acres (1,500 ha)[1] restored tallgrass prairie near Franklin Grove in Lee County and Ogle County, Illinois. It is managed by The Nature Conservancy staff and volunteers.[2]

History

Prairie restoration in the spring

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.[3] 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.[4] By 2022, the total current acreage had grown to over 4,100 acres (1,700 ha).[1][2]

In February 2020, a fire destroyed the site's pole barn along with much of the equipment used to care for the preserve.[5] The replacement plans include expansion to allow more space for convening volunteers, partners, scientists and community leaders.[5]

Bison reintroduction

Bison in enclosure at Nachusa with Illinois Nature Preserves Commission sign

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.[6][7] Thirty bison from the Wind Cave bison herd were released in October 2014.[8] This was the first conservation herd in Illinois.[9] 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.[10] As of July 2015^[update], 14 calves have been born at Nachusa.[11] By 2023, the summer herd size was 120-130 and the winter herd size was 90-100.[12]

Visitor center

The preserve's visitor center includes nearby trailheads, a pavilion with interpretive signage, self-composting restrooms, and a potable water supply.[13] 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" [14]

See also

• List of protected grasslands of North America

References

1. New Acquisitions Grow Prairie Habitat at Nachusa Grasslands Illinois Conservation Results Report 2022 Page 8 Published April 2023 by The Nature Conservancy
2. "Friends of Nachusa Grasslands". Retrieved January 3, 2020.
3. "Study challenges ecology's 'Field of Dreams' hypothesis". NIU Newsroom. Northern Illinois University. January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
4. Esarey, Sharman (October 21, 1989). "New Prairie Created From Ground Up". Los Angeles Times.
5. Building Nachusa Foreward The Nature of Illinois Magazine Spring 2021 edition Page 3 Published by the Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy
6. "Bison to Return to the Prairie State". WTTW News. October 6, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
7. Gregory, Ted (September 20, 2015). "Native bison roam again on restored prairie west of Chicago". Los Angeles Times.
8. Gregory, Ted (October 6, 2014). "After a century, bison return to Illinois". Chicago Tribune.
9. "What have you "herd?"". The Nature Conservancy. February 10, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
10. Gregory, Ted (April 8, 2015). "Baby bison is Illinois' first in nearly two centuries". Chicago Tribune.
11. Gregory, Ted (July 3, 2015). "Illinois bison busy as rabbits, prairie ambassadors". Chicago Tribune.
12. Dredge, Joe (March 29, 2023). "Here's Where To See A Hidden Herd Of Bison In Illinois". WROK 1440 AM / 96.1 FM. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
13. "Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center". The Nature Conservancy. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
14. 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