Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
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    • Executive Director – Mike Saxton
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    • Newsletters >
      • A Prairie Calling (print and digital)
      • PrairiE–Update (email)
    • Commenting Policy
  • Plan Your Visit
    • 40th Anniversary Events
    • Hours & Parking
    • Directions and Map
    • Visitor Center
    • Pet Policy
    • Public Bison Tours
    • Bison Viewing
    • Hiking >
      • Hiking Guidelines
      • Hiking Destinations
      • Guided Hikes
      • Stone Barn Savanna Tour
      • Visitor Center Trail
      • Scavenger Hunt
    • Fall Festival >
      • Yearly Festival
    • What's In Bloom?
    • Exploring Nachusa Grasslands on Your Own
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    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Thursday and Saturday Workdays >
      • Workday Signup
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      • Leader Workday Safety Protocols
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    • Annual Volunteer Meeting
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    • Volunteer Recognition
    • Docents
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    • Nachusa Stewardship
    • Restorations
    • Planting Histories >
      • Stewardship Unit Planting Histories
      • Planting Histories in Chronological Order
    • Weed Reports
    • Native plant resources
    • Volunteer Stewards
    • Groups and Committees
    • Available Units
    • Controlled Burns
    • Prescribed Fire Recruitment
    • Restoration Publications
    • Stewardship Resources >
      • Seed Collection Guides
      • Introduced Plant Management
      • Introduced Woody Identification
      • Monitoring
      • Resource Links
  • Science
    • Science at Nachusa Grasslands
    • Science Grants 2026
    • Science Grants by Year >
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        • Science Grants 2021
      • Science Grants 2016 to 2020 >
        • Science Grants 2020
        • Science Grants 2019
        • Science Grants 2018
        • Science Grants 2017
        • Science Grants 2016
      • Science Grants 2011 to 2015 >
        • Science Grants 2015
        • Science Grants 2014
        • Science Grants 2013/2012/2011
    • 2026 Science Symposium Abstracts
    • Become a Community Scientist >
      • About Community Scientists
      • Butterfly Monitoring
      • Calling Frog Monitoring
      • Dragonflies & Damselflies
      • RiverWatch
    • Potential Research Topics
    • Scientific Publications
    • Anderson Science Award
    • Science Videos
  • About Nachusa
    • General Info
    • Nachusa Staff
    • Prairie Smoke Annual Reports
    • Plant Inventory >
      • Common Names
      • Genus Species
    • Animal Inventory >
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Bison Bison >
        • Bison
        • Bison Babies Broadcast Videos
      • Fish
      • Insects
      • Mammals
      • Other Arthropods
      • Reptiles
    • History
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    • Geology >
      • Geology Part 1
      • Geology Part 2
      • Geology Part 3
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    • 3rd-5th grades
    • 6th-8th grades
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      • Autumn Photos
      • Winter Photos
    • Videos
  • Contact Us / FAQs

Nachusa Grasslands 40th Anniversary Events

Read the story of Nachusa: Celebrating a Jewel of the Prairie State

2026 Events
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Warblers on Wednesday
​Date:
Wednesdays, May 6, 13, 20
Time: 8:00–10:00 AM
Limit 10 people
Signup required: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080945AFA82BAAFB6-63208822-warblers#/
​
Description:
Celebrate our 40th anniversary during peak spring migration with Mike Saxton as he explores the  woodlands for warblers and other seasonal migrants. These guided walks are suitable for beginners and experienced birders alike. Binoculars recommended.
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Guided Walking and Hiking Tours
Date: May–October
Time: Various days and times throughout the week. Check the signup for specifics.
Signup required: Signup link coming soon

Description:
Ready to explore Nachusa on foot? Join summer interpreter Heather for guided tours through the preserve. From gentle strolls to more challenging treks, these outings highlight Nachusa’s diverse habitats, striking sandstone outcroppings, and the inspiring story of restoration in action. Along the way, discover the beauty of the landscape and the wildlife that calls this place home.

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Restoration Volunteer Days
​Dates:
 Thursdays and Saturdays beginning May 7, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Signup required: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080945AFA82BAAFB6-nachusa8#/
​
Description:
Lend a hand restoring native habitats through volunteer workdays. Tasks vary and may include introduced species or brush removal, seed collection, and planting. All skill levels welcome—training and tools provided.
Vertical Divider
Fall Festival
​Date:
September 19, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
​
Description:
Celebrate the season with a day outdoors at our Fall Festival! Join us for a full day of guided hikes and bison tours, offering opportunities to explore the landscape, learn about ongoing restoration work, and experience the prairie in autumn.

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Map & Directions

8772 S. Lowden Road  (mailing address)            
2075 Lowden Road (Visitor Center)           
Franklin Grove, IL 61031

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© 2026 FRIENDS OF NACHUSA GRASSLANDS The content on this website is owned by us and our licensors. Do not copy any content (including images) without our consent.
  • Home
  • About Friends
    • Mission, Leadership, Objectives, and Financials
    • Executive Director – Mike Saxton
    • Friends Annual Meeting 2025
    • Endowments
    • Heritage Heroes Initiative
    • Friends Annual Reports
    • Newsletters >
      • A Prairie Calling (print and digital)
      • PrairiE–Update (email)
    • Commenting Policy
  • Plan Your Visit
    • 40th Anniversary Events
    • Hours & Parking
    • Directions and Map
    • Visitor Center
    • Pet Policy
    • Public Bison Tours
    • Bison Viewing
    • Hiking >
      • Hiking Guidelines
      • Hiking Destinations
      • Guided Hikes
      • Stone Barn Savanna Tour
      • Visitor Center Trail
      • Scavenger Hunt
    • Fall Festival >
      • Yearly Festival
    • What's In Bloom?
    • Exploring Nachusa Grasslands on Your Own
    • Things to Do
    • Places to Eat and Stay
    • Local Sites to Visit and Explore
  • Donate
  • Calendar
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Thursday and Saturday Workdays >
      • Workday Signup
      • Workdays – November to February
      • Volunteer Workday Safety Protocols
      • Leader Workday Safety Protocols
      • Steward Workday Tips
    • Annual Volunteer Meeting
    • Workday Email List
    • Volunteer Recognition
    • Docents
  • Stewardship
    • Nachusa Stewardship
    • Restorations
    • Planting Histories >
      • Stewardship Unit Planting Histories
      • Planting Histories in Chronological Order
    • Weed Reports
    • Native plant resources
    • Volunteer Stewards
    • Groups and Committees
    • Available Units
    • Controlled Burns
    • Prescribed Fire Recruitment
    • Restoration Publications
    • Stewardship Resources >
      • Seed Collection Guides
      • Introduced Plant Management
      • Introduced Woody Identification
      • Monitoring
      • Resource Links
  • Science
    • Science at Nachusa Grasslands
    • Science Grants 2026
    • Science Grants by Year >
      • Science Grants 2021 to 2025 >
        • Science Grants 2025
        • Science Grants 2024
        • Science Grants 2023
        • Science Grants 2022
        • Science Grants 2021
      • Science Grants 2016 to 2020 >
        • Science Grants 2020
        • Science Grants 2019
        • Science Grants 2018
        • Science Grants 2017
        • Science Grants 2016
      • Science Grants 2011 to 2015 >
        • Science Grants 2015
        • Science Grants 2014
        • Science Grants 2013/2012/2011
    • 2026 Science Symposium Abstracts
    • Become a Community Scientist >
      • About Community Scientists
      • Butterfly Monitoring
      • Calling Frog Monitoring
      • Dragonflies & Damselflies
      • RiverWatch
    • Potential Research Topics
    • Scientific Publications
    • Anderson Science Award
    • Science Videos
  • About Nachusa
    • General Info
    • Nachusa Staff
    • Prairie Smoke Annual Reports
    • Plant Inventory >
      • Common Names
      • Genus Species
    • Animal Inventory >
      • Amphibians
      • Birds
      • Bison Bison >
        • Bison
        • Bison Babies Broadcast Videos
      • Fish
      • Insects
      • Mammals
      • Other Arthropods
      • Reptiles
    • History
    • Jobs
    • Hunting
    • Geology >
      • Geology Part 1
      • Geology Part 2
      • Geology Part 3
    • Websites of Interest
  • Teacher Resources
    • K-2nd grades
    • 3rd-5th grades
    • 6th-8th grades
    • High School
  • BLOG AND MEDIA
    • Nachusa Blog
    • In The News
    • Photo Gallery >
      • Spring Photos
      • Summer Photos
      • Autumn Photos
      • Winter Photos
    • Videos
  • Contact Us / FAQs