DatesJun 15th - Jun 21st 2008 Service ProjectConstruction of new bridge over seasonal stream
Trail clearing, construction, tread work leading up Free DaysDay hiking & touring of the wild side of Midewin AccommodationsTent camping near cars Trip RatingStrenuous : using tools, bending, lifting, hauling, trail work LeadersRobert Jackson Equipment |
Named “Midewin” after the Potawatomi word for healing, the total prairie site stretches across 19,000 acres and is the largest piece of protected open space in northeastern Illinois. At one time, prairies dominated more than 60 percent of the Illinois landscape. Tallgrass prairie thrives in areas with more rainfall than in the shorter, mixed-grass prairies and Great Plains to the west. Aptly named, tallgrass prairies grew nearly to the height of a horse and rider, although the rich and diverse plant life also included shorter grasses and hundreds of species of wildflowers. Today, less than one-hundredth of one percent of true tallgrass prairie remains in Illinois. When fully restored, this wetland/prairie landscape will provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and unprecedented open space for Chicagoland residents and visitors to enjoy. Our work project is building of a new wooden bridge over a seasonal stream, finishing work on an existing bridge and the trail construction leading up to the bridges. These bridges on a new 4 mile section of trail connecting the east and west sides of Midewin not yet open to the public. On our free day, we can hike and explore the wild sides of Midewin and we’ll plan for different evening tours on the prairie.
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