Take A Walk in the Nachusa Grasslands . . . with a Nachusa Volunteer
(Updated 2/22/2009)
Nachusa Grasslands is owned by The Nature Conservancy. Its 3000 acres features large stretches of native 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 2009. Please RSVP so we know how many people to expect. Meet at the Headquarters Barn about 10 minutes before the start of the hike.
For information and to RSVP: Call Becky Hartman 630.309.2110 or Email bhhartman2001@hotmail.com
This year, we have added five PHOTOGRAPHER hikes designed to give photographers the opportunity to take prairie flower photos. These hikes will be led by John Schmadeke, who is a photographer and a Nachusa volunteer. Please RSVP to jcschmadeke@gmail.com for photographers' hikes. All photographer hikes start promptly at 4:00 PM at the Headquarters Barn.
February 22, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Rocks and Icicles
Tellabs Savanna
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail
March 15, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Geology at Nachusa Grasslands - Tom Mitchell
See interesting physical features of the area.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail
April 19, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Visit the fen area; tussock sedges, seeps, and possibly a beaver dam. The beavers come and go, so NO guarantees!
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail
May 10, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Gobbler Ridge prairie reconstruction. Bernie & Cindy Buchholz
Visit the 3 year sequence of plantings along beautiful Clear Creek.
See the difference a year makes in a prairie planting.
Visit the adjacent remnant restorations of Talinum Knob and the Clear Creek hillside.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail
May 31, 2009 Sunday 4:00 PM
PHOTOGRAPHERS' HIKE
Follow John Schmadeke, a Nachusa volunteer and photographer, to prime locations for early wildflower color.
2 hour hike - hilly - off trail
June 7, 2009 Sunday 4:00 PM
PHOTOGRAPHERS' HIKE
Follow John Schmadeke, a Nachusa volunteer and photographer, to prime locations for June wildflower color.
2 hour hike - hilly - off trail
June 14, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Johnny's Creek to the high East Heinkle
Great views of the south wetland from the top of the rocks.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail
June 14, 2009 Sunday 4:00 PM
PHOTOGRAPHERS' HIKE
Follow John Schmadeke, a Nachusa volunteer and photographer, to prime locations for early summer wildflower color.
2 hour hike - hilly - off trail
June 21, 2009 Sunday 4:00 PM
PHOTOGRAPHERS' HIKE
Follow John Schmadeke, a Nachusa volunteer and photographer, to prime locations for peak coneflower color.
2 hour hike - hilly - off trail
June 28, 2009 Sunday 4:00 PM
PHOTOGRAPHERS' HIKE
Follow John Schmadeke, a Nachusa volunteer and photographer, to prime locations for fantastic summer wildflower color.
2 hour hike - hilly - off trail
July 12, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Savanna walk; it's cooler in the shade.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail
August 15, 2009 SATURDAY EVENING! 6:45 PM
Hike Until the Fat Coyote Howls
Sunset and Perseid Meteors. Bring a flashlight.
6 hour hike - i.e. stay to watch the meteors if you wish.
September 19, 2009 Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
20th Annual Autumn on the Prairie Celebration
Imagine 1800 Illinois!
Wild walks, different expert leaders, hikes leaving every 20 minutes all day.
October 11, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Introduction to seed picking on the prairie.
Tools and containers provided.
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 - easy
November 7, 2009 Saturday 12:00 PM
It's the end of seed picking for another year.
Seed celebration potluck 12:00 PM and preserve tour 2:00 PM.
Tour Leader: Bill Kleiman, Nachusa Grasslands Preserve Manager.
December 13, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Holiday High Calorie Long Hike
Walk the western boundary from Naylor Road to Stone Barn Road.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly