Nachusa Grasslands
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]
Nachusa Grasslands | |
---|---|
![]() Bison at Nachusa | |
![]() ![]() Location within the state of Illinois | |
Nearest city | Franklin Grove |
Coordinates | 41°53′28″N 89°20′37″W |
Established | 1986 |
Governing body | The Nature Conservancy |
History
![](../I/Prairie_Restoration_at_Nachusa_Grasslands.jpg.webp)
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
![](../I/Bison_at_Nachusa_Grasslands_with_INPC_Sign.jpg.webp)
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, 14 calves have been born at Nachusa.[7]
References
- "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.