ILLINOIS—Nearly two dozen U.S. Military veterans and family members with The Mission Continues group gathered recently at Henslow Trail on the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Their mission: To take nature photos of the prairie.

The photos depict life at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and will be displayed at Brushwood Center, located just outside Chicago, through Dec. 22. A Veterans Day reception is planned for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14. 

“Each one of these photographs accentuates an important aspect of natural habitat that can be experienced at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie,” said Prairie Supervisor Wade Spang. “We are very grateful to the U.S. military veterans and family members who chose the prairie to visit through this very special nature photography program. It is wonderful to think that this public land, with its strong ties to U.S. military history, is where U.S. military veterans of all ages can come out and engage with nature through birding and photography.” 

Will County Audubon Society Vice President and prairie volunteer Greg DuBois guided the tour group, sharing his in-depth and broad knowledge of birds, photography and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. DuBois, a U.S. Navy veteran, provided an overview of the prairie before leading the group on a two-hour hike. They went northeast through the Iron Bridge Restoration Area to the Group 63 Trail where each participant got to go inside a WWII bunker. 

“There is so much to experience here at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie,” DuBois said. “For many years, I have come out looking for grassland birds, and I am glad to be able to introduce other veterans and their family members to this very special place.”

The group, which was organized as part of Brushwood Center’s At Ease Nature Platoon, was led by Brushwood Center Veterans Program specialist Jessica Klinge and Rogelia Villa, a volunteer coordinator with The Mission Continues. During Operation Enduring Freedom, Villa served with the Illinois Army National Guard in Afghanistan. 

“The vision of The Mission Continues is for all veterans with a desire to continue their service to be part of a nationwide movement to transform communities,” Villa said. Villa organizes visits to natural areas in the Chicago area two or three times each year for The Mission Continues group.

The At Ease Nature Platoon focuses on health and wellness by helping veterans connect with nature. 

“The program empowers well-being through the power of art and nature. We create a therapeutic environment for veterans who are recovering from the effects of combat or service,” said Brushwood Center Executive Director Catherine Game.

Watch the video below to learn more about the At Ease Nature Platoon at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.