Buffalo Trace Prairie Reconstruction

County: Champaign
Ownership: Champaign County Forest Preserve District
Dedication: May 2000
Size: 4 acres

During 1999 and 2000, GPF and the Champaign County Forest Preserve District began a cooperative effort of prairie reconstruction at this property which is located in the Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve on the west side of Illinois Route 47, north of the Interstate 74 Mahomet exit. The Forest Preserve District purchased the 276 acre property from the Dowell family in 1976.

A popular new 3 1/2 mile paved hiking and biking path winds through the site and connects with the rest of the Forest Preserve across the highway. In addition, a network of mowed trails offers joggers and walkers an opportunity to enjoy the open space. The Forest Preserve District uses controlled burns on the former cropland and pasture to encourage the growth of native prairie plants. Cup Plant, Ironweed, and Goldenrod dot much of the property, along with hefty stands of exotic species like Wild Parsnip and Sweet Clover.

In the spring of 2000, GPF donated enough seed to plant about 4 acres. The seed mix included about 40 species, and was rich in forbs. On May 17, the Forest Preserve District staff used their conservation seed drill to plant the native seed along with oats as a cover crop. The planting is located along the bike path for maximum visibility, and the Forest Preserve District will place interpretive signs along the path to educate people who would not normally visit a prairie. We hope to interest people in the prairie and to enroll them as site volunteers.

Plans are underway for GPF to donate seed for more plantings. Long term plans are to continue planting small areas as more seed becomes available. In a few years, the site should begin to produce enough seed for use in new areas at the site.

The site stewards are Mahomet residents Phil Hult and Gail Snowden. The above information was paraphrased from Gail Snowden's article in the Fall 2000 issue of A Prairie Rendezvous.

updated: January 10, 2002
www: www.prairienet.org/gpf
email: gpf@prairienet.org