Blog Post

The Midewin in the Midwest

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By Summer Seligmann, C2ST Intern, Loyola University

Just outside of Chicago in Wilmington, Illinois, there’s a place called Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie where you can see native wildflowers, grassland birds, and bison (yes, bison). Midewin is the largest protected grassland reserve in the greater Chicago region, and the first ever designated national tallgrass prairie in the United States.. Midewin and other preserves like these are crucial in protecting our wildlife, biodiversity, and to preserve natural spaces for generations to come. 

Continue reading “The Midewin in the Midwest”

Blog Post

The Midewin Prairie

Posted on

By C2ST Staff

The Midewin (pronounced mi-DAY-win) National Tallgrass Prairie is located about 60 miles south of Chicago on Historic Route 66. Many trails are available for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Midewin offers an expansive 30-mile trail system — 8 miles for hiking and 22 miles for multi-use — Open to the public free of charge.  It is a hidden gem in our backyard that must be visited as it celebrates its 25th Anniversary.  C2ST recently hosted longtime Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie volunteers Greg DuBois, Ron Kapala, and Christina L. Sammet, Ph.D., for a discussion that took us on a  journey to explore restored wetlands, prairies, and observe wildlife. 

Learn about the history and geography of this very special place less than an hour from the city in the videos below. Be sure to check out our transcript of Q&As that didn’t make it into the videos! Continue reading “The Midewin Prairie”

Event

Midewin Prairie 101: Part II

*This program can be attended without background on Part I.  The area is so large, we need two sessions to share all its beauty.

What is Midewin (pronounced mi-DAY-win) National Tallgrass Prairie? Learn about the history and geography of this very special place less than an hour from the city.  Join C2ST and longtime Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie volunteers Greg DuBois, Ron Kapala, and Christina L. Sammet, Ph.D., as well as Visitor Information Assistant Laura Lewis as they take us on a virtual journey to explore restored wetlands, prairies, and observe wildlife. While learning why conservation is so important, visit some of the best examples of restored prairie. Register now for Prairie 101 to join the conversation on how Midewin will change and what change means for wildlife and recreation in this two-part summer evening series. 

Continue reading “Midewin Prairie 101: Part II”

Event

Midewin Prairie 101: Part I

What is Midewin (pronounced mi-DAY-win) National Tallgrass Prairie? Learn about the history and geography of this very special place less than an hour from the city.  Join C2ST and longtime Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie volunteers Greg DuBois, Ron Kapala, and Christina L. Sammet, Ph.D., as they take us on a virtual journey to explore restored wetlands, prairies, and observe wildlife. While learning why conservation is so important, visit some of the best examples of restored prairie. Register now for Prairie 101 to join the conversation on how Midewin will change and what change means for wildlife and recreation in this two-part summer evening series. 

Continue reading “Midewin Prairie 101: Part I”