Prairies evolved within a regime of frequent fire. Prescribed burning has been part of Woodoworth Management since 1972.
Lilium philadelphicum, Rudbeckia hirta, Eryngium yuccifolium are among the species blooming in this early morning image of the prairie.
What is a PRAIRIE?
A prairie is a close-to-treeless grassland with native plants found in North America. Treeless areas dominated by non-native plants are known as old fields. Native grassland on other continents other names (steppe, pampas, veldt). The 'sea of grass' and endless horizon associated with prairie by pioneers is no longer found in Illinois. Some large prairies still exist in Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Goose Lake prairie is the largest prairie remaining in Illinois. Prairies are rare in the 'Prairie State'. Most Illinois prairies were destroyed by the plow. Among those that that were not plowed, the suppression of fire has resulted in many becoming filled with woody plants and/or non-native species.
Mesic black soil tallgrass prairie is only one of many natural communities that existed in the Chicago region. Our rich natural area heritage includes forest, woodlands, savannas, prairies, marshes, bogs and fens on both coarse (sand) and fine (black) soil major soil classes and various levels of wetness.
Our mission is to maintain populations of native prairie plants and animals as close as possible to their abundances in before-agriculture Illinois prairies, so researchers and interested citizens have a place to study and enjoy what pre-settlement prairie was like.
Research has been done or is planned on 1) the role of animals in building soil, 2) reverse fertilization to reduce the impact of atmospheric nitrogen deposition, 3) the reason remnant prairies are so much shorter than restorations, 4) identifcation of plants without collecting specimens, and 5) population dynamics of insect species.
Management activities focus on 1) processes (fire and water), 2) the elimination of non-native species, and 3) autocthonous species with small population sizes.
Woodworth also plays a major role in educating citizens about Illinois prairie.
Dennis Nyberg holds Baptisia leucophaea. The spring flora of Woodworth is especially rich (look for violets in image) photo by Paul Francuch
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