Activities at Autumn on the Prairie

Autumn on the Prairie Tours Schedule

Autumn in the Grove Information

Events Schedule of the Day

How to Find Nachusa Grasslands

Schedule for Monthly Hikes at Nachusa Grasslands

Thank you Genesis Nursery of Tampico, Illinois
Corporate Sponsor of Autumn on the Prairie

Illinois' Nachusa Grasslands is the featured cover story of the fall issue of the Nature Conservancy magazine, an international publication!!! In addition to appearing in the printed magazine, the article is posted online.
http://www.nature.org/magazine/autumn2007/features/

The Nature Conservancy Celebrates 50 Years in Illinois

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Events Schedule of the Day

10:00 Walking Tour - Self-Guided Walk with Plant Description Signs ...(until 5 p.m.)

10:00 Silent Auction Begins in Raffle Tent ...(until 1 p.m.)

10:00 Walking Tour – Larry Creekmur to Doug's Knob

10:00 Atlatl Spear Throwing Begins

10:15 Face Painting - Children's Tent ...(until 11:15 a.m.)

10:20 Walking Tour – Mike Crowe to East Heinkel Hilltop Prairie

10:30 Tractor-Drawn Wagon Rides (15 minutes) through the Prairie ...(until 11 a.m.)

10:40 Walking Tour – Cassie Krueger to East Heinkel Prairie for the non-botanist

10:50 Grandpa's Riding Tour - Becky & Hank Hartman

11:00 Food Service Begins - Snow White Deli and Bakery ...(until 3 p.m.)

11:00 Raffle Drawing #1

11:00 Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides (15 minutes) ...(until 2 p.m.)

11:05 Barn Tour (Nachusa Headquarters) – Ron Ingraham

11:15 International Crane Foundation Program - Alyssa Rod

11:20 Walking Tour - Jason Johnson - Natural History of Nachusa

11:40 Walking Tour - Dean Weidman to Hammill Winter Unit and Coneflower Unit

12:00 Sláinte and Friends – Irish Traditional Music ...(until 3 p.m.)

12:00 Walking Tour – Bob Shone to Low Oaks Savanna

12:00 Face Painting - Children's Tent ...(until 1:15 a.m.)

12:20 Walking Tour – Todd Bittner - Natural History of Nachusa Grasslands

12:30 Raffle Drawing #2

12:40 Walking Tour – Dave Derwent to Hamill Winter Knobs and wetlands

1:00 Silent Auction Ends

1:00 Hunters' Tour – Damian Considine to Big Woods

1:10 Grandpa's Riding Tour – Becky & Hank Hartman

1:15 International Crane Foundation Program - Alyssa Rod

1:20 Walking Tour – Kevin Kaltenbach to Fen Unit

2:00 Raffle Drawing #3

2:00 Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides End

2:00 Walking Tour – Jan Grainger - Butterfly Hike

2:20 Walking Tour – Bernie Buchholz to Clear Creek Knolls

2:30 Tractor-Drawn Wagon Rides (15 minutes) through the Prairie ...(until 4 p.m.)

2:30 Face Painting - Children's Tent ...(until 3:15 a.m.)

2:40 Walking Tour – Cody Considine to Pottawatomie, Big Woods, and Kittentail Savannas

3:00 Food Service Ends

3:00 Walking Tour – 11:20 Tour – David Edelbach to Schafer's Knob

3:05 Barn Tour (Nachusa Headquarters) – Mike Adolph

3:20 Walking Tour – Tonya Bittner - Children's Seed Collecting

3:30 Raffle Drawing #4

3:40 Walking Tour – Al Meier to Leopold and Doug's Knobs

4:00 Walking Tour – Katie Schoenfeldt to Hamill Winter Unit

4:30 Unclaimed Raffle Items for Sale

Monthly Hikes at Nachusa Grasslands

Take A Walk in the Nachusa Grasslands . . . with a Nachusa Volunteer

Nachusa Grasslands is owned by The Nature Conservancy. Its 2700 acres features large stretches of native prairie and it 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. Please RSVP so we know how many people to expect. Meet at the Headquarters Barn before 2 P.M.

For information: Call Becky Hartman 630.309.2110
or Email bhhartman2001@hotmail.com


August 18, 2007 Saturday 2:00 PM
Blazing Star; last chance to celebrate summer at the prairie.
Asters and Goldenrod are starting to bloom.
2 hour hike - 2 miles

September 15, 2007 Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Autumn on the Prairie Celebration
Imagine 1800 Illinois!
Wild walks, different expert leaders, leaving every 20 minutes all day.
The Nature Conservancy celebrates 50 years in Illinois!

October 13, 2007 Saturday 2:00 PM
Introduction to seed picking on the prairie.
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, 2007 Saturday 2:00 PM
It's the end of seed picking for another year.
Seed celebration tour
Tour Leader: Bill Kleiman, Nachusa Grasslands Preserve Manager

December 8, 2007 Saturday 2:00 PM
Stonebarn Road to Naylor Road with bonfire
Hike the western boundary to see prairie, savanna, wetland, and bluffs.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

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

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

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

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

May 24, 2008 Saturday 2:00 PM
Gobbler Ridge prairie reconstruction.
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 PM
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 PM!!
Watch the stars and lightening bugs come out.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

August 30, 2008 Saturday 2:00 PM
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 Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Autumn on the Prairie Celebration
Imagine 1800 Illinois!
Wild walks, different expert leaders, leaving every 20 minutes all day.

October 18, 2008 Saturday 2:00 PM
Introduction to seed picking on the prairie.
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 Saturday 2:00 PM
It's the end of seed picking for another year.
Seed celebration tour
Tour Leader: Bill Kleiman, Nachusa Grasslands Preserve Manager

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

Autumn in the Grove

A day long adventure to four of Franklin Grove's scenic & historic destinations

Autumn in the Grove” is day long adventure providing tours of Franklin Grove’s scenic and historic destinations. The event occurs Saturday, September 15th, 2007 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Franklin Grove, IL located on Illinois Route 38, nine (9) miles east of Dixon, IL and seventeen (17) miles west of Rochelle, IL.


Nachusa Grasslands - Autumn on the Prairie
Tour prairie and savanna on foot or by wagon to enjoy the flowers and wildlife. See www.nature.org/Illinois.

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Franklin Creek Grist Mill - Situated in the Franklin Creek Natural Area, this is a re-constructed timber framed grist mill. Tour the Mill or take a hike along Franklin Creek.

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Chaplin Creek Village - – An evolving, full-scale historical restoration project depicting a prairie settlement village typical of the middle 19th century.

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Historic H. I. Lincoln Building - The historic structure was built by the cousin of Abraham Lincoln in 1861 and is the national headquarters of the Lincoln Highway Association.

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Saturday September 15th 10 AM to 5 PM

For more information please contact Jim Tanquary at 630-235-1583 or jtanquary@chaplincreek.com.

Donations at each of the event facilities will be sincerely appreciated.

Franklin Grove Area Historical Society, Post Office Box 20, Franklin Grove, IL 61031 Phone: 815-456-2382

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Directions to Nachusa Grasslands

NACHUSA GRASSLANDS
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
8772 S. Lowden Road
Franklin Grove, IL 61031

Click on map to enlarge

The short version:
Nachusa Grasslands is 4 miles northwest of Franklin Grove on Lowden Road, between Naylor and Stonebarn Roads. The Main Trail Head to the preserve is at the Visitor Entrance with the kiosk.


From Chicago (2 hours ) and Parts East:

Option 1) Go west on I-88 (East-West Tollway): Exit at Route251 North, (Rochelle) to Route 38 West. Travel through Ashton and into Franklin Grove (approx. 16 miles), go 2 blocks past Casey’s and turn right (North) on Daysville Rd./1700E (brown sign: Franklin Creek Natural Area). Travel 1.5 miles north to Naylor Rd./1950N, turn left (West) and go 2.2 miles to Lowden Rd./1500E. Turn right (North) and go 1 mile to Visitor Entrance (on left with the kiosk).
Option 2) Take I-88 West and then follow directions from Parts South taking Option 2: Route 39 North to Route 38 West.

From Rockford (1 hour plus), IL and Parts North:

Take Route 39 South, exit at Route 64 West towards Oregon, IL for 16 miles to the light at Daysville Rd./1700E, which is just before Oregon. Go left (south) on Daysville Rd. for 2.5 miles to Lowden Rd./1500E (just past LaVigna Restaurant). Note brown sign for Lowden-Miller State Forest. Turn right and continue southwards on Lowden Rd. for 7 miles (you will pass Flagg and Stonebarn Roads) to the Visitor Entrance (on right with kiosk).

From the Mississippi River, Dixon, IL and Parts West:

Exit from I-88 Tollway at Route 26 North towards Dixon then in town:
Option 1) Take Route 38 East for approx. 9 miles into Franklin Grove, turn left (North) on Daysville Rd./1700E (brown sign Franklin Creek Natural Area). Travel 1.5 miles north to Naylor Rd./1950N, turn left (West) and go 2.2 miles to Lowden Rd./1500E, turn right (North) and go 1 mile to Visitor Entrance (on left with kiosk).
Option 2) Take Route 2 North out of Dixon, and in approx. 2 miles, turn right (East) on Lost Nation Rd./1950N. Go one mile to Maples Rd./1150E, turn right and then immediately left on Naylor Rd./1950N. Go east for 3.5 miles to Lowden Rd./1500E. Turn left (North) and go 1 mile to Visitor Entrance (on left with kiosk).

From: La Salle, IL and Parts South:

Option 1) Take Route 39 North to Route 30 West, go 16 miles to Franklin Rd./1650E. Turn right (North) go 6 1/3 miles to the town of Franklin Grove turn left (North) on to Elm St. go to Route 38 and turn left (West) and go two blocks, turn right (North) on Daysville Rd./1700E, (Franklin Creek Natural Area). Travel 1.5 miles to Naylor Rd./1950N, turn left (West) and go 2.2 miles to Lowden Rd./1500E. Turn right (North) and go 1 mile to Visitor Entrance (on left with kiosk).
Option 2) Take Route 39 North exit at Route 38 West (left) to Rochelle. Go through several traffic lights for approx. 2 miles to Caron Rd. Turn right (North) and follow the curve to Flagg Rd. Turn left (West) and go 14 miles to Lowden Rd./1500E. Turn left (South) for 1.8 miles to the Visitor Entrance (on right with kiosk).
Option 3) Take 39 North to Route 38 West and follow directions under Option 1 from Chicago and Parts East (second sentence through Ashton).

From: Peoria, IL (2 hours plus):

Take Route 29 North, go past Chillicothe and Henry, IL. Route 29 merges into 180 North, take this to Route 80 West. Take Route 80 west for a few miles to Route 26 North. Take Rt. 26 past Rt. 92, in Ohio, IL and past Green River Conservation Area (3,000 acres owned by IDNR), past Route 30, past I-88 Tollway and into Dixon, IL. At the first traffic light in Dixon follow Option 1 under Mississippi and Parts West.

Activities at Autumn on the Prairie

The Nature Conservancy's Nachusa Grasslands preserve presents its
18th annual AUTUMN ON THE PRAIRIE festival on the third Saturday of September, September 15, 2007 from 10 AM to 5 PM. Read the posting for Autumn in the Grove for three other local events also occuring on September 15, 2007.

Nachusa Grasslands consists of 2700 acres of prairie remnants, restorations, and reconstructions. Enjoy the following events through out the day.

Local artists at work

Live music

The Midwest Museum of Natural History

Atlatl

Self–guided plant tour

International Crane Foundation (ICF) in Baraboo, WI
Special presentations about cranes & prairies at 11:15 AM & 1:15 PM

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Guided tours will go to wetlands, prairies, and savannas. Conservation professionals and prairie expert volunteers will lead riding or walking tours beginning every twenty minutes throughout the day.

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Ride through the prairie on a horse-drawn wagon.

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Live birds of prey from Pecatonica Regional Environmental Center

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Raffle

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Children's tent

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Lunch and refreshments will be available for purchase.

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This free event is open to the public.

There is no rain date.

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Tour Schedule

10:00 Larry Creekmur 1.5 hours
Theme: Short grass species ( grasses and forbs ) on Doug's Knob, overlooking savanna and sandstone outcroppings, so diversity of this ecosystem will be a focus.
Exertion: moderate with inclines and we walk slowwww!

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10:20 Mike Crowe 1.5 hours
Theme: East Heinkel - hilltop prairie
Exertion: moderate to strenuous

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10:30 - 11:00 Tractor-Drawn Wagon Rides
15 minutes
Theme: Short ride in the prairie;
good for small kids
Exertion: Easy

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10:40 Cassie Krueger 1 hour
Theme: A Prairie Tour for the Non-Botanist
A general history and the physical make-up of East Heinkel.
Explanation of the work and progress by the unit stewards in the last 6 years; the effect of the GeoBoy and other machinery.
Exertion: Moderate

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10:50 Becky & Hank Hartman 2 hours
Theme: Grandpa's Riding Tour with stops for interesting plants
Exertion: Easy

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11:05 Ron Ingraham 45 minutes
Theme: Headquarters Barn; how we moved the 1868 barn
Exertion: Easy

11:20 Jason Johnson 1.5+ hours
Theme: The natural history of Nachusa Grasslands
Exertion: Moderate to strenuous


11:40 Dean Weidman 1.5 hours
Theme: Hamill Winter unit & circle back thru Coneflower unit
Exertion: Moderate

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12:00 Bob Shone 1.5 hours
Theme: Tour to Low Oaks to explore the distribution of Hazelnut shrubs in a Burr Oak/Black Oak savanna.
Side light: look for bottle and fringed gentians in a moist prairie habitat.
Exertion: Moderate

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12:20 Todd Bittner 1+ hours
Theme: The natural history of Nachusa Grasslands.
Exertion: easy

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12:40 Dave Derwent 1.5+ hours
Theme: Hamill Winter unit; main complex of knobs - circle back thru wet area
Exertion: Moderate to strenuous

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1:00 Damian Considine 1.5 hours
Theme: Hunter's tour - north end of Big Woods
Exertion: Moderate

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1:10 Becky & Hank Hartman 2 hours
Theme: Grandpa's Riding Tour with stops for interesting plants

Exertion: Easy

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1:20 Kevin Kaltenbach 1.5+ hours
Theme: Fen unit; see wet prairie
Exertion: Moderate

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2:00 Jan Grainger 1 hour
Theme: Butterflies and Children
Exertion: Easy

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2:20 Bernie Buchholz 1+ hour
Theme: Clear Creek Knolls; See a first year planting as we reconnect streamside, sand hill, and savanna remnants.
Exertion: Easy to moderate

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2:30 - 4:00 Tractor-Drawn Wagon Rides 15 minutes
Theme: Short ride in the prairie; good for small kids
Exertion: Easy

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2:40 Cody Considine 2 hours
Theme: Report on Savanna research;
Walk through Pottawatomie Savanna, Big Woods and Kittentail Knob
Exertion: Moderate to strenuous

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3:00 David Edelbach 1+ hour
Theme: Schafer's Knob - hilltop prairie remnant
Exertion: Easy

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3:05 Mike Adolph 45 minutes
Theme: Headquarters Barn; how we moved the 1868 barn
Exertion: Easy

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3:20 Tonya Bittner 30 minutes
Theme: Children's Seed Collecting
Exertion: Easy

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3:40 Al Meier 1.25 hour
Theme: Leopold and Doug's Knobs; biologically diverse, high quality hilltop prairie remnants
Exertion: Moderate

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4:00 Katie Schoenfeldt
45 minutes
Theme: Hamill Winter main knobs.
Talk about restoring an area, as well as plant identification

Exertion: Moderate

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