Schedule for Monthly Hikes

Take A Walk in the Nachusa Grasslands . . . with a Nachusa Volunteer

Nachusa Grasslands, located between Oregon and Franklin Grove, is owned by The Nature Conservancy. Its 2800 acres feature large stretches of native prairie. The preserve is open to the public; volunteer stewards will lead monthly hikes on the following dates in 2008 & 2009. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes, not sandals. Please RSVP so we know how many people to expect. Meet at the Headquarters Barn before 2 P.M.

For information: Call Becky Hartman 630.309.2110
or Email bhhartman2001@hotmail.com


August 30, 2008 Saturday 2:00 PM
Depending on the weather, we will see all four gentians blooming.
Cream Gentian, Prairie Gentian, Bottle Gentian, Fringed Gentian
2 hour hike - easy

September 20, 2008 Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Autumn on the Prairie Celebration
Imagine 1800 Illinois!
Wild walks, different expert leaders, hikes leaving every 20 minutes all day.

October 18, 2008 Saturday 2:00 PM
Introduction to seed picking on the prairie.
Tools and containers provided.
The prairie always needs more seed collected; come help us and have fun too.
Ride in the pickup truck; see several different areas of the preserve.
2 hours - easy

November 15, 2008 Saturday 2:00 PM
It's the end of seed picking for another year.
Seed celebration potluck 12:00 PM & preserve tour 2:00 PM
Tour Leader: Bill Kleiman, Nachusa Grasslands Preserve Manager

December 6, 2008 Saturday 2:00 PM
Thelma Carpenter Views
Remnant dry hill prairie; not flat Illinois!
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

January 4, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Woodpeckers and the Big Woods.
Red Headed Woodpeckers were here all year in 2008.
2 hour hike - 2 miles Easy.

February 22, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Rocks and Icicles
Tellabs Savanna
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

March 15, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Geology of Nachusa Grasslands - Tom Mitchell
See interesting physical features of the area.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

April 19, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Visit the fen area; tussock sedges, seeps, and possibly a beaver dam.
The beavers come and go, so NO guarantees!
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

May 10, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Gobbler Ridge prairie reconstruction. Bernie & Cindy Buchholz
Visit the 3 year sequence of plantings along beautiful Clear Creek.
See the difference a year makes in a prairie planting.
Visit the adjacent remnant restorations of Talinum Knob and the Clear Creek hillside.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

June 14, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Johnny's Creek to the high East Heinkle
Great views of the south wetland from the top of the rocks.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

July 12, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Savanna walk; it's cooler in the shade.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly - off trail

August 15, 2009 SATURDAY EVENING! 6:45 PM
Hike Until the Fat Coyote Howls
Sunset and Perseid Meteors. Bring a flashlight.
6 hour hike - i.e. stay to watch the meteors if you wish.

September 19, 2009 Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
20th Annual Autumn on the Prairie Celebration
Imagine 1800 Illinois!
Wild walks, different expert leaders, hikes leaving every 20 minutes all day.

October 11, 2009 Sunday 2:00 PM
Introduction to seed picking on the prairie.
Tools and containers provided.
The prairie always needs more seed collected; come help us and have fun too.
Ride in the pickup truck; see several different areas of the preserve.
2 hours - easy

November 15, 2009 Saturday 12:00 PM
It's the end of seed picking for another year.
Seed celebration potluck and preserve tour.
Tour Leader: Bill Kleiman, Mananger Nachusa Grasslands Preserve

December 13, 2009 Sunday 12:00 PM
Holiday High Calorie Long Hike
Walk the western boundary from Naylor Road to Stone Barn Road.
2 hour hike - 2 miles - hilly