Birds of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

The new Birds of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Guide Booklet by the Illinois Audubon Society features stunning color photos and an encyclopedia of grassland bird information.

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Welcome to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is the largest island in the archipelago of protected areas that collectively compromise the Chicago Wilderness. It includes full array of species and natural processes typical of tallgrass prairies in the region, including the reintroduction of bison.

Turning back the clock from a landscape dominated by rusting munitions factories and abandoned ammunitions bunkers into a 20,283 acre pristine tallgrass prairie makes the Midewin a compelling vision for landscape scale restoration.

In this video from the National Forest Foundation, Bill Kurtis explains how the surprisingly long roots of prairie plants help the environment.

Visit the Prairie

Two people examine the seeds of a tall yellow compass plant. Outdoor Learning
A group gathers around a guide during an interpretive hike. Interpretive Program Schedule
An interpretive guide speaks to a group of visitors. Spring Wildflowers
Two people search through a stand of tall prairie grass. Self-Guided Tours

Know Before You Go

Seasonal Safety Information
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Look for Bison

The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Bison Cam is brought to you by the National Forest Foundation.

Features

Visitor Guide: What to Know Before You Go

Down a gravel trail, a lone coyote howls into the air.

There is some information that is vital to know before visiting a National Forest or Grassland. Check in here first when planning your visit and receive the latest information you need to know before visiting Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

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Preserving Prairie Farm History

A family gathers around their patriarchs, who each hold Midewin 25th Anniversary poster copies

Keeping the  prairie past alive with first-hand family stories, heirloom recipes - four generations share stories of growing up on the "Fairview Farm" in the 1930s. Find out more about the history of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and the land through its many past uses.

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