The Illinois Audubon Society has purchased 106.8 acres of land in Marion County Illinois to expand the mosaic of grasslands at the Prairie Ridge State Natural Area. Funds for the purchase were provided from the bequest of long-time member, Judith Joy. With the goal of restoring prairie to the former agricultural field, prairie seeding has already begun.
“This addition to the Prairie Ridge State Natural Area is adding one more critical piece to the jigsaw puzzle,” remarked Deb Carey, Chair of the Illinois Audubon Society’s Land Protection and Stewardship Committee. “Natural areas in Illinois are fragmented and the Illinois Audubon Society is working diligently to knit together parcels into sustainable sanctuaries for native flora and fauna. A visitor to the site will be mesmerized by the ballet-like flight of Short-eared Owls and Northern Harriers. Oftentimes the beautiful charismatic species are noted, but it is the thousands of insects, soil organisms, plants, and fungi that support the entire earth and provide habitat for everything, including humans.”
Todd Strole, Assistant Director, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, remarked, “Illinois Audubon has been a long-time partner in this landscape and the impact is real. When an organization pairs its financial abilities with a clarity of purpose, good things happen and it is making a difference for all grassland wildlife in the area.”
Bob Gillespie, Site Manager at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area said, “This addition to the Loy Land and Water Reserve (LWR) increases that 216-acre site by approximately 100 acres. The original Loy LWR was purchased by the Illinois Audubon Society in December of 2010. This welcome opportunity to expand the preserve will allow for more prairie reconstruction. The newly acquired property will provide for the development of populations of imperiled species including the state-threatened eryngium stem borer moth (Papiapena eryngii), state-endangered royal catchfly (Silene regia), and state endangered prairie rose gentian (Sabatia campestris). Bird species such as the Northern Harrier, Short-eared Owl, and Barn Owl will be common visitors as the newly planted prairie flourishes in the next few years.”
Gillespie added, “This property is a necessary addition to Prairie Ridge State Natural Area. The tract increases the acreage of the Marion County unit of Prairie Ridge, especially in the northern extent of the project where industrialization pressures have been impactful. Buffering the Loy LWR, and adding acreage in the geography of the Perbix tract of PRSNA, provides continuity to the preserve and decreases the fragmentation of habitats. One hundred acres of additional prairie will provide habitat for grassland birds and areas to expand populations of state listed plants and animals. This is a fantastic incremental step in closing gaps in preserve design and creating additional grassland at Prairie Ridge State Natural Area.”
Photo by Paul Rossi
Congratulations!! Awesome job!!
Thank you for fighting for our feathers friends for a larger and longer habitat to call home.