Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
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Units Available for Stewardship

Headquarters Barn
Picture
The big red barn is the nerve center of Nachusa Grasslands. Much of the precious seed gathered throughout the year is processed and stored here. The preserve’s equipment resides 
​and is maintained at the barn. All the volunteers and staff unite ​​here before a day’s work and then they convene back together
to share a lunch and fellowship, where many challenges are shared and solved in community with one another.
​

This stewardship opportunity may interest a person/couple that enjoy being in the center of high activity, yet maintaining order. These are the tasks a steward(s) would undertake: 
  • The break room requires floor sweeping, counter & sink cleaning, and general straightening.
  • The trucks & maintenance bays need to be kept tidy by sweeping the floors, and straightening items.
  • The table in the seed room often needs straightening and cleaning.
  • The seed collection scissors require oiling and sharpening, and the buckets are in constant need of cleaning.
  • Many visitors get their first view of Nachusa as they stop at the headquarters barn. Weed removal around the barn adds to the overall first impression.

Jay Meiners Wetlands
This outstanding 80–acre unit boasts varied habitats: a beautiful remnant wetland, bur oak savanna slopes, and a restored upland prairie. In addition, there is a 30–acre agricultural field for those who might want to try their hand at cornfield–to–prairie restoration! The potential plant species list for this unit rivals any on the preserve. This rich and varied habitat nestles next to the north edge of Franklin Creek State Natural Area. The unit is home to fox, muskrat and mink; even the American Bittern, a uncommon heron in Illinois, has been sighted here.
 
Though this unit has wonderful features, there are still many tasks to challenge a steward:
  • Seed collecting to diversify the upland prairie restoration.
  • Weed management in the restoration, on the savanna slopes, and in the wetland.
  • Removal of exotic shrubs and weedy trees on the savanna slopes.

  • For those who have learned the floral components of the prairie and techniques of restoration, a chance to plant raw agricultural land back to prairie.​
Picture
Franklin Creek meanders through Jay Meiners Wetlands

Picture
Thelma Carpenter Prairie
Thirty–five acres of dramatic dolomite hill prairie and thirty acres of beautiful restoration greet the eye in this attractive unit. The unit is a species–rich treasure, filled with Leadplant, Shooting Stars, Downy Gentian, Alum Root, Cream False Indigo, Goat’s Rue and many more!! With the stunning topography and the meticulously restored prairie, this unit would be a delight for any steward to tend.
 
A conscientious steward can find plenty of ways to oversee this property:
  • Weed management to remove invasive plants.
  • Seed collection and overseeding of the restored 30 acres.
  • Brush removal to eliminate exotic shrubs and trees.

More unit updates coming soon! Check back to this page . . .

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2075 Lowden Road             |           Franklin Grove, IL 61031              |             Contact Us


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  • Home
  • About Friends
    • Mission and Leadership
    • Endowments
    • Heritage Heroes Initiative
    • Friends Annual Reports
    • Newsletters >
      • PrairiE–Update (email)
      • A Prairie Calling (print and digital)
    • Friends Annual Meeting 2022
    • Commenting Policy
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Hours & Parking
    • Directions and Map
    • Visitor Center
    • Teacher Resources
    • Pet Policy
    • Public Bison Tours
    • Bison Viewing
    • Hiking >
      • Hiking Guidelines
      • Hiking Destinations
      • Stone Barn Savanna Tour
      • Visitor Center Trail
      • Scavenger Hunt
    • What's In Bloom?
    • Autumn on the Prairie
    • 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
      • Volunteer Workday Safety Protocols
      • Workdays – November to February
      • Leader Workday Safety Protocols
      • Steward Workday Tips
    • Stewardship Teams
    • Workday Email List
    • Steward Login
  • Stewardship
    • Nachusa Stewardship
    • Restorations
    • Planting Histories >
      • Stewardship Unit Planting Histories
      • Planting Histories in Chronological Order
    • Stewards and Staff
    • Groups and Committees
    • Available Units
    • Controlled Burns
    • Prescribed Fire Recruitment
    • Restoration Publications
    • Stewardship Resources >
      • Weekly Top Picks
      • Seed Collection Guides
      • Invasive Plant Management
      • Invasive Identification
      • Monitoring
      • Links & Resources
  • Science
    • Science at Nachusa Grasslands
    • Science Grants >
      • Science Grants 2023
      • Science Grants 2022
      • Science Grants 2021
      • Science Grants 2020
      • Science Grants 2019
      • Science Grants 2018
      • Science Grants 2017
      • Science Grants 2016
      • Science Grants 2015
      • Science Grants 2014
      • Science Grants 2013/2012/2011
    • Science Symposium 2022
    • Science Symposium Abstracts >
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2019
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2018
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2017
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2016
    • Potential Research Topics
    • Scientific Publications
    • Testimonials >
      • Dr. Holly Jones
      • Dr. Nick Barber
      • Kimberly Elsenbroek
    • Science Videos
    • Become a Community Scientist >
      • About Community Scientists
      • Butterfly Monitoring
      • Calling Frog Monitoring
      • Dragonflies & Damselflies
      • RiverWatch
  • About Nachusa
    • General Info
    • 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
    • 30th Anniversary Memories
    • Websites of Interest
  • BLOG AND MEDIA
    • Nachusa Blog
    • In The News
    • Photo Gallery >
      • Spring Photos
      • Summer Photos
      • Autumn Photos
      • Winter Photos
      • Visitor Photos
    • Submit Your Photos
    • Videos
  • Contact Us / FAQs