Autumn on the Prairie

20th annual celebration of Illinois' native landscape

Franklin Grove, IL — September 9, 2009

What: Nachusa Grasslands presents the 20th annual Autumn on the Prairie festival with guided tours of prairie and savannas, educational exhibits and self-guided plant tours. Participants may ride through the prairie on a horse-drawn wagon, listen to live music, watch local artists at work and explore a children's tent.

Nachusa Grasslands preserve is owned by The Nature Conservancy. Its 3,000 acres feature large stretches of native prairie.

Who: This free event is open to the public. Donations are appreciated. Lunch and refreshments will be available for purchase. There is no rain date. There is no registration.

When: Saturday, September 19, 2009 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Nachusa Grasslands Preserve is located between Oregon and Franklin Grove at 8772 S. Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, Illinois 61031 Phone: (815) 456-2340. The Autumn on the Prairie site is located at the visitors' entrance on the west side of Lowden Road, a quarter-mile south of the preserve headquarters.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.