National Prairie Day | Conserving and Enjoying Illinois Prairies
On National Prairie Day, we celebrate the beauty and ecological value of this often overlooked ecosystem. Spanning more than a dozen American states and several Canadian provinces, the North American prairie is a vast grassland that offers more biodiversity and beauty than most people realize. With their endless gently rolling plains, highly productive soils and rich history as a setting for farming and ranching, prairies have long been a valued location for human habitation. Today only 1% of tallgrass prairie in the United States remains untouched by farming or development. National Prairie Day promotes awareness of this endangered ecosystem through appreciation and conservation.
HISTORY
The word “prairie” originates from Latin and meant “meadow”, or any treeless and grassy area where livestock would graze. The area we now know as Illinois, while peacefully cohabitated with by Native American tribes for centuries prior, was mesmerizing to 17th century French explorers (who were also the first to use the term “prairie” to describe the land) because of its stark contrast to the thick forests they were used to traversing in Eastern America. Soon, however, the benefits of this endless and beautiful swath of grazing land would become apparent to the European settlers of the area who made livestock and agriculture their livelihoods.
These prairies historically spanned over 61 percent or 21.6 million acres of what is now known as Illinois. With the arrival of more and more settlers who converted the land for agriculture at the expense of its ecological health, as well as the advent of the industrial revolution and the urbanization that followed it, prairies were gradually decimated until only 6,100 acres of Illinois’ namesake prairie land remained. Today the majority of these remaining prairie lands are less than 10 acres in size each and all have been ecologically disturbed in some manner.
CONSERVATION
With the destruction in prairie lands that has occurred over the last few centuries has come a decimation in our state’s natural wildlife. Not only have countless native and diverse plant species become harder and harder to find in the wild, but the animals that once fed on these plants— butterflies, bees, dragonflies, rabbits, and deer— find themselves with a reduced food supply and reduced natural terrain in which to live. For the remaining prairie lands that exist within our state, and for the good of our remaining wildlife as a whole, it is our responsibility to protect existing wildlife habitats as well as foster new ones where possible.
The following are just a few ways you can directly or indirectly help to further the prairie conservation effort in Illinois!
Get Involved
There are several conservation projects that focus on protecting and maintaining Illinois prairie land today. Donating to or volunteering with these organizations is a simple yet highly effective way to ensure that our remaining prairies are protected and that new prairie lands can grow and prosper without interference. From ensuring that these lands stay clean, to studying local plant life and educating others, to large-scale programs to bring back native plants, these are certainly worthy causes to get involved with.
Plant a Seed
Introducing native prairie plants such as wildflowers and grasses back into the ecosystem is a patient endeavor, but with enough work and time can yield a beautiful, restored prairie patch that can withstand the natural Illinois climate and requires minimal upkeep to thrive. The trick is to select a sunny, open area that is hospitable to grasses, match your intended prairie plants to the soil and growing conditions of the area, and perform regular maintenance such as weeding, mowing, and control burning until the prairie meadow is grown enough to sustain itself. The result will be a lush and colorful meadow that exudes all the natural beauty our state has to offer. Learn more about starting your own prairie meadow below:
Grow, Not Mow
One simple and highly effective way to encourage the propagation of natural plants is to mow your yard less or practice selective mowing. Allowing your yard’s natural weeds, grasses, and flowers to grow will help re-introduce native species that have been tamped down for years by restrictive landscaping practices as well as provide sustenance for birds, bees, and small animals. Many have chosen to participate in “No-Mow Months”, or months in which they let their yards grow and propagate at their natural pace, while others have ditched the traditional green lawn entirely in favor of a more natural landscape— this way, the many native Illinois grasses, flowers, and weeds that were once considered nuisances to manicured yards can now act as a beautiful statement to the diversity of our state’s wildlife. Learn more about the Now Mow initiative below:
Thank you for learning and participating in the preservation of our natural Illinois habitats, and happy National Prairie Day!
Want to learn more about Illinois wildlife? Check out our article and fun nature quiz below.