ILLINOIS—The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie invited nature photographers and grassland bird watchers for two fall migration tours in celebration of National Public Lands Day. During the immersive fall color exploratory hikes, U.S. military veterans and family members experienced an array of migrating butterflies and birds throughout Midewin’s treasured Prairie Creek Woods and Buttonbush Pond.

New Prairie Supervisor Christina Henderson’s welcome message supported the National Public Lands Day 2022 theme, “Giving Back, Together,” which acknowledges how our public lands have been there for us throughout challenges faced in recent years. A new theme is designated each year by organizers with the National Environmental Education Foundation.

“Our shared natural areas are still here for us,” Henderson said. “They are here for us to try to help de-stress, clear our minds, re-focus on the positive, and tap into those wonderfully enriched sensory experiences that are so valuable. Whether you visit Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie or another public land area, try to find a space to get out there and enjoy the great outdoors as often as possible.”

Will County (Illinois) Audubon Society Vice President Greg Dubois guided the two groups, sharing his years of expertise about grassland birds at Midewin and photography.

One of the groups was comprised of U.S. military veterans and family members who participate in Brushwood Center's “At Ease” Nature Platoon at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Photos by participants in the National Public Lands Day program will be featured in a 2023 USDA Forest Service schedule planner.

The groups saw or heard a variety of birds—from goldfinches to bald eagles, gray catbirds, red-bellied woodpeckers, a variety of hawks, a turkey vulture and so many more.