ILLINOIS—In 2046, 25 years from now, USDA Forest Service staff on the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie will turn back time when they unearth a time capsule. Inside, they’ll discover items that provide a glimpse of what life was like during the prairie’s first 25 years (1996-2021).

“The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie silver anniversary time capsule provides us with an opportunity to consider the next generations and how the shared stewardship we value today will benefit people years from now,” said Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Supervisor Wade Spang. “The time capsule encourages us to envision how future generations will work to enhance and improve natural resources and habitat for native Illinois prairie species.”

Among the items in the time capsule are seeds of the federally listed endangered leafy prairie clover and a letter with a call to action to future Forest Service staff. Below is an excerpt of supervisory natural resources manager Michael Redmer’s message:

“Leafy prairie clover is known to produce seeds that maintain viability for a very long time, with one experiment resulting in over 50% of seeds germinating after 13 years of storage. Please try to germinate and grow these seeds after 25 years in a time capsule to see if they are viable; you might be breaking new ground in our knowledge of this rare plant!”

Currently, the leafy prairie clover (Dalia foliosa) is the only federally listed endangered plant that occurs on the prairie. The species was first identified on the prairie in 1997. Since then, Forest Service staff have worked hard to conserve this species on and around the prairie, partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the forest preserve districts of Kane and Will counties.

Other items preserved in the time capsule are a nod to the prairie’s first 25 years—digital photos, videos, formative planning notes, and lapel pins representing organizations like the Midewin Interpretive Association as well as length-of-service recognition of the hundreds of volunteers who have contributed to prairie restoration. Also included is a piece of clay from farm irrigation tiles. The tiles are being removed to increase and improve habitat for chorus frogs and other wetland species.

The time capsule project is sponsored by the Midewin Tallgrass Prairie Alliance and the Midewin Heritage Association.