Nearest city Franklin Grove Phone +1 815-456-2340 | Governing body The Nature Conservancy Established 1986 | |
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Address 8772 Lowden Rd, Franklin Grove, IL 61031, USA Similar Midewin National Tallgrass, Franklin Creek Grist Mill, Lowden State Park, White Pines Forest St, Lowell Park Profiles | ||
Hiking the nachusa grasslands
The Nachusa Grasslands is a 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) tallgrass prairie conservancy located near Franklin Grove in Lee County, Illinois. It is operated by the Nature Conservancy.
Contents
Bison just inside the fence at nachusa grasslands
History and description
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. 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. More acreage has been added to create the current open space of 3,500 acres (1,400 ha).
The Nachusa Grasslands planning process calls for running up to 100 American bison (commonly known as "buffalo") on approximately 1,500 acres (610 ha) of the preserve. Thirty bison were released on the Nachusa Grasslands in October 2014. 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. As of July 2015, 14 calves have been born at Nachusa.