Friends of Nachusa Grasslands
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Stone Barn Savanna

By Mark Jordan, STONE BARN SAVANNA'S LAND STEWARD
In a state that ranks 49th based on the amount of natural landscape that remains, the Nachusa Grasslands and the Tellabs unit are an oasis amidst the fields, highways and cities that many associate with this state. Stone Barn Savanna (Tellabs unit) is simultaneously rich and degraded. There are wonderful plant and animals species that thrive here. Birds are singing, insects are visiting flowers, and native plants small and large are growing. However, many exotic and invasive plants have arrived and interrupted the traditional interactions in a natural savanna–woodland community.
 
To me Stone Barn Savanna is a special place, because forty–five years ago I spent many of my youthful days hiking, exploring, and camping in this area. It was a place to climb trees, ford creeks, identify birds, scale cliffs, and collect rocks.

Stone Barn Savanna is a place of memory and a place of hope. Although the land has changed since I first explored as a
youth, the landscape contains the plant components that will eventually develop into a high–quality natural community. Many individuals have worked hard to protect the unit and begin  restoration. It will take many years of pulling, digging, and planting, gallons of sweat, and learning from successes and mistakes to fulfill the hope of a new Stone Barn Savanna. The efforts of many and a commitment to a long–term goal are necessary to restore this area to a place reminiscent of the landscape and ecology of the Prairie State.
 
Stone Barn Savanna reminds us that we share this place with companion life forms. Here is an opportunity to work toward reestablishing the relationships that characterize a natural community. The oak and the woodpecker, the baptisia and the bee, the sand and the spider are part of the diversity of this area. Enjoy the specialness and the promise of Stone Barn Savanna.

Stop 1 — Open Woodland

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  • Home
  • About Friends
    • Mission, Leadership, Objectives, and Financials
    • 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
    • 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
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2016
    • 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 2023
    • Science Symposium Abstracts >
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2019
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2018
      • Science Symposium Abstracts 2017
    • 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