Restoration at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

Restoration efforts at Midewin include cultivating prairie plants for subsequent planting in appropriate habitats on the site. Seeds collected from nearby prairies are planted in seedbeds. The resulting plants are transplanted to different areas of the prairie. The selection of seed from nearby areas ensures that the genetic strains being planted at the site are those occurring in the area.

Areas that were drained for farming and industry are being restored to their natural state. Drainage tiles are being removed, and sedge meadows and wet prairie habitats are coming back. Invasive, non-native trees and shrubs are being removed and burning will take place to encourage growth of native prairie plants. These measures, along with others, are vital to the successful restoration of Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

Midewin NTP seedbeds
Cultivated seed beds at Midewin NTP
Sedge Meadow at Midewin NTP
Sedge meadow at Midewin NTP


 

"Healing is a matter of time, but it is also sometimes a matter of opportunity."

Hippocrates

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https://www.museum.state.il.us/exhibits/midewin/restoration.html, Last modified October 21st 2003, 07:54AM.