The Nature Conservancy in Illinois - Take A Walk at Nachusa Grasslands

Nachusa Grasslands

Nachusa grasslands

Take a Walk in the Nachusa Grasslands...
with a Nachusa volunteer

The Nachusa Grasslands is owned by The Nature Conservancy. It includes 2700 acres of Illinois prairie and is located between Oregon and Franklin Grove.

The preserve is open to the public; volunteer stewards will lead monthly hikes on the following dates in 2007 - 2008.

Please RSVP so we know how many people to expect. Meet at the Headquarters Barn before 2 p.m. Wear long pants and closed toe shoes. For more information contact Becky Hartman (630) 309-2110 or bhhartman2001@hotmail.com.

2007 Hikes

September 15
Autumn on the Prairie Celebration
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Celebrate 50 years of conservation with The Nature Conservancy in Illinois.
Imagine 1800 Illinois! Wild walks with expert guides leaving every 20 minutes all day.

October 13
Introduction to seed picking on the prairie.
Saturday 2:00 p.m.

The prairie always needs more seed collected; come help us and have fun too. Ride in the pickup truck; see several different areas of the preserve. 2 hours

November 10
Seed celebration tour
Saturday 2:00 p.m.
It's the end of seed picking for another year.
Tour Leader: Bill Kleiman, Nachusa Grasslands Preserve Manager

December 8
Stonebarn Road to Naylor Road with bonfire
Saturday 2:00 p.m.
Hike the western boundary to see prairie, savanna, wetland, and bluffs. 2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

2008 Hikes

January 5, 2008
Explore Franklin Creek in winter
Saturday 2:00 p.m.
Meiners Wetlands
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

February 23, 2008
Rocks & Icicles - Tellabs Savanna
Saturday 2:00 p.m.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

March 22, 2008
Saturday 2:00 p.m.
Johnny's Creek to the high East Heinkle
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

April 26, 2008
Savanna Restorations
Saturday 2:00 p.m.
Why do we all love trees?
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

May 24, 2008
Gobbler Ridge prairie reconstruction
Saturday 2:00 p.m.
Visit the 3 year sequence of plantings along beautiful Clear Creek.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

June 21, 2008
Saturday 2:00 p.m.
Have you ever seen acres of pale purple coneflower blooming?
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

July 26, 2008
SUNSET HIKE !!7:30 p.m.!!
Watch the stars and lightening bugs come out.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

August 30, 2008
Saturday 2:00 p.m.
Depending on the weather, we will see all four gentians blooming.
Cream Gentian, Prairie Gentian, Bottle Gentian, Fringed Gentian
2 hour hike - easy

September 20, 2008
Autumn on the Prairie Celebration
Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 p.m.
Imagine 1800 Illinois! Wild walks with expert guides leaving every 20 minutes all day.

October 18, 2008
Introduction to seed picking on the prairie.
Saturday 2:00 p.m.
The prairie always needs more seed collected; come help us and have fun too.
Ride in the pickup truck; see several different areas of the preserve.

November 15, 2008
Seed celebration tour
Saturday 2:00 p.m.
It's the end of seed picking for another year.
Tour Leader: Bill Kleiman, Nachusa Grasslands Preserve Manager

December 6, 2008
Thelma Carpenter Views
Saturday 2:00 p.m.
Remnant dry hill prairie
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail