Thank you for your interest in The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands. Nachusa is a privately funded “working” preserve focused on restoring habitat for the native plants and animals of northern Illinois.
Friends of Nachusa Grasslands is a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and advocating for the restoration of Nachusa's tallgrass prairie ecosystem.
Before contacting us, please check the information and links below.
Only email or call us if your questions are not answered here or elsewhere on our website.
Friends of Nachusa Grasslands is a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and advocating for the restoration of Nachusa's tallgrass prairie ecosystem.
Before contacting us, please check the information and links below.
Only email or call us if your questions are not answered here or elsewhere on our website.
WHERE CAN I SEE NACHUSA'S BISON HERD?
Bison can be viewed mainly from the Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center parking area at 2075 Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031 and from the sides of Lowden, Stone Barn, Naylor, or Flagg Roads. No hiking is permitted inside the fenced North or South Bison Units. The bison roam across 1,500 acres of rolling land and are often not visible from the preserve perimeter. They can remain in one place for several hours or move around quickly in no predictable location or time pattern. Bring your binoculars to help you search for the herd.
See Bison and Bison Viewing for more information on Nachusa's herd.
Check out this Self-Guided Tour for tips on visiting Nachusa Grasslands on your own.
See Bison and Bison Viewing for more information on Nachusa's herd.
Check out this Self-Guided Tour for tips on visiting Nachusa Grasslands on your own.
HOW CAN I VOLUNTEER AT NACHUSA?
In 2021, we will be offering both Thursday and Saturday workdays, dependent on the availability of steward leaders. Workdays will take place throughout the year, except during controlled burn season. Advance registration and following all COVID-19 Safety Protocols are required. Activities vary depending on the time of year and weather conditions.
Learn more on these workday sites:
Learn more on these workday sites:
HOW CAN I DONATE TO FRIENDS OF NACHUSA GRASSLANDS?
Learn more about Friends and link to our donation pages at:
About Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
Support Friends
Donate Online via Credit Card or E-Check
Donate via Check or Cash
About Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
Support Friends
Donate Online via Credit Card or E-Check
Donate via Check or Cash
WHERE AND WHEN CAN I HIKE AT NACHUSA?
The Nachusa Grasslands Preserve is open every day from dawn to dusk. You can hike on or off-trail anywhere outside the fenced bison units. Park in designated lots if present, or pull completely off the roads. Please do not block the gates or climb over any fences. Enter the trails through the designated fence openings.
Check out this Self-Guided Tour for tips on visiting Nachusa Grasslands on your own.
Consult these hiking pages when planning your visit:
Check out this Self-Guided Tour for tips on visiting Nachusa Grasslands on your own.
Consult these hiking pages when planning your visit:
what will i find at the NACHUSA VISITOR CENTER?
The Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is at 2075 Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031. The Visitor Center offers commanding views of the preserve, informative interpretations of the native landscape and our restoration efforts, and a short prairie trail walking loop. There are also a map to orient visitors toward various hiking alternatives throughout the 3,800-acre preserve, self-composting toilets, and a hand water pump.
Check out this Self-Guided Tour for tips on visiting Nachusa Grasslands on your own.
Check Nachusa Visitor Center for more information.
Check out this Self-Guided Tour for tips on visiting Nachusa Grasslands on your own.
Check Nachusa Visitor Center for more information.
HOW CAN I REQUEST A NACHUSA TOUR, FIELD TRIP, PRESENTATION, OR INTERVIEW?
As most of our guided tours, field trips, presentations, and interviews are conducted by volunteers, requests from the public usually exceed our resources.
Tours and Field Trips: Tours and field trips are usually offered in the late spring, summer, and early fall. Presentations and interviews are be limited by speaker or interviewee availability. Therefore, priority usually goes to conservation and environmental education groups. Relevant organizations may submit this form to request a tour or field trip.
Presentations or Interviews: To request a presentation or interview, you may complete this TNC Presentation or Interview Request Form, which will be reviewed by TNC staff. Depending on office resources, it may take several days for someone to send you a response.
Our beautiful Visitor Center is designed to be self-guided, and groups are welcome anytime from dawn to dusk. A perfect facility for beginning your visit, it includes extensive interpretation of the grasslands, potable water, and bathrooms. Short walking paths starting at and returning to the center afford visitors great views of the grasslands and many native plants. The bison herd can occasionally be seen from the Visitor Center.
Check out this Self-Guided Tour and Exploring Nachusa Grasslands on Your Own on for tips on visiting Nachusa Grasslands on your own.
Tours and Field Trips: Tours and field trips are usually offered in the late spring, summer, and early fall. Presentations and interviews are be limited by speaker or interviewee availability. Therefore, priority usually goes to conservation and environmental education groups. Relevant organizations may submit this form to request a tour or field trip.
Presentations or Interviews: To request a presentation or interview, you may complete this TNC Presentation or Interview Request Form, which will be reviewed by TNC staff. Depending on office resources, it may take several days for someone to send you a response.
Our beautiful Visitor Center is designed to be self-guided, and groups are welcome anytime from dawn to dusk. A perfect facility for beginning your visit, it includes extensive interpretation of the grasslands, potable water, and bathrooms. Short walking paths starting at and returning to the center afford visitors great views of the grasslands and many native plants. The bison herd can occasionally be seen from the Visitor Center.
Check out this Self-Guided Tour and Exploring Nachusa Grasslands on Your Own on for tips on visiting Nachusa Grasslands on your own.
HOW CAN I CONTACT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, BILL KLEIMAN, CODY CONSIDINE, elizabeth bach, OR DEE HUDSON?
Complete this TNC Contact Form, which will be reviewed by TNC staff. Depending on office resources, it may take several days for someone to send you a response.
WHEN CAN COLLEGE STUDENTS ATTEND WORKDAYS TO EARN EXTRA CREDIT OR FULFILL A CLASS REQUIREMENT?
College students seeking extra credit or fulfilling class requirements are welcome to participate in workdays from early May through early November. Stewardship activities usually include weed management and seed collecting.
During the late fall, winter, and early spring, Nachusa staff and trained volunteers focus on tree and brush removal involving heavy equipment. Because of safety considerations, workdays are not open to students seeking extra credit or fulfilling class requirements from early November to February.
Note that no workdays will take place during controlled burn season in March and April.
If you are planning on attending a workday, please discuss your participation with your instructor. You do not need to telephone or email us.
See our workday page and volunteer opportunities page for details.
During the late fall, winter, and early spring, Nachusa staff and trained volunteers focus on tree and brush removal involving heavy equipment. Because of safety considerations, workdays are not open to students seeking extra credit or fulfilling class requirements from early November to February.
Note that no workdays will take place during controlled burn season in March and April.
If you are planning on attending a workday, please discuss your participation with your instructor. You do not need to telephone or email us.
See our workday page and volunteer opportunities page for details.
may I bring my dog or other pets to Nachusa?
Nachusa Grasslands is a preserve set aside for native species, rather than for recreation. Rare and even endangered ground–nesting birds and reptiles both breed and winter here. Pets can disturb these species and are therefore not allowed. See the Pet Policy page for further explanation and a note regarding service animals.
Where is nachusa?
Nachusa Grasslands is located four miles northwest of Franklin Grove on Lowden Road, between Naylor and Stone Barn Roads.
The Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is at 2075 Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031. Volunteers meet in the parking lot before a workday.
The Headquarters Barn is at 8772 S Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031.
Note: The Headquarters Barn is in Ogle County, and the Visitor Center is in Lee County. Both are on the same road, but the addresses are different. The Visitor Center is 1/2 mile south of the Headquarters Barn.
For more information, see Directions and Map.
The Nachusa Grasslands Visitor Center is at 2075 Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031. Volunteers meet in the parking lot before a workday.
The Headquarters Barn is at 8772 S Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, IL 61031.
Note: The Headquarters Barn is in Ogle County, and the Visitor Center is in Lee County. Both are on the same road, but the addresses are different. The Visitor Center is 1/2 mile south of the Headquarters Barn.
For more information, see Directions and Map.
What are the preserve hours?
The preserve is open from dawn to dusk every day.
May i fly drones over Nachusa Grasslands?
The Nature Conservancy only allows drones over Nachusa Grasslands that have a permit, similar to the permits required for hunting, scientific research, and related endeavors. These permissions tend to be granted for specific projects that authorized personnel are working on.
how can I report a website problem?
- We appreciate your taking the time to let us know about errors on our website, so we can correct them and make your online experience more enjoyable.
- Please use this Website Errors Report to describe any technical difficulties you experience with our website, including broken links.
MAY I HAVE A WEDDING AT NACHUSA GRASSLANDS?
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate weddings at the project. We receive a number of requests every year for weddings, but we simply don't have the human resources or infrastructure. This rule is steadfastly applied, as we have declined the same request from individuals who work or volunteer here.
Other local venues include the Byron Park District, which has a lovely facility that overlooks a wonderful prairie. Franklin Creek State Natural Area south of Nachusa might also be an option.
Other local venues include the Byron Park District, which has a lovely facility that overlooks a wonderful prairie. Franklin Creek State Natural Area south of Nachusa might also be an option.
If your question is not answered above or on another website page (including our Workday FAQs), please Contact Us.
Updated 04/2022