In preparation for the arrival of a small herd of American bison, the U.S. Forest Service’s Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, the National Forest Foundation (NFF), and other partners and volunteers have recently completed infrastructure improvements to safely house and monitor bison at the Prairie.
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is located north of Wilmington, IL and is just one hour from Chicago. Midewin is undergoing a transformation as the Forest Service, the NFF and many local partners work to restore a native tallgrass prairie ecosystem.
Part of the prairie restoration includes introducing bison to Midewin to graze on an experimental basis on approximately 1,200 acres of fenced pasture located within its 19,000 total acres. Bison once roamed the tallgrass prairies of northern Illinois. In keeping with the intent and guidance of the Midewin Prairie Plan, the experiment will provide information on how bison improve the diversity of native vegetation on restored prairies, compared to similar prairie restoration sites without bison. The Forest Service will also monitor how bison grazing on restored prairie provides suitable habitat for a suite of grassland birds.
The Forest Service and the NFF have been working with bison experts, and their goal is to have a herd that is free of cow genes. Also critical to the project is that the proper infrastructure be installed and ready for the bison’s arrival.
“We share the public’s excitement. I’m very interested in seeing how the bison get acclimated to their new home.”
“We’re very excited about this project,” said Bill Possiel, NFF president. “In addition to providing an opportunity to study how bison impact tallgrass prairie restoration, the effort will provide Chicago area residents with a chance to see these iconic animals in their natural environment.”
To safely house and care for the bison, the NFF raised funds and hired contractors to install fencing and other infrastructure at Midewin. This infrastructure includes:
- 35,575 feet – almost 7 miles – of six-foot-tall exterior fencing around the bison grazing pastures;
- 10,573 feet of four-foot-tall interior fencing around the bison grazing pastures;
- Corral fencing, watering station, water-pump, solar power and back-up generator;
- A “Berlinic Cube,” a bison-specific corral system for safe animal handling and health monitoring.
“The corral system is finished. The facility is located in the middle of four pastures, where the bison will wander to graze,” said Bob Hommes, Midewin’s engineer. “The structure was designed to include automated gates, which helps keep workers separated from the bison.”
While the bison are scheduled to arrive this fall, the NFF, Midewin and local partners are planning a public event in spring 2016 to celebrate the arrival of the bison.
“We share the public’s excitement. I’m very interested in seeing how the bison get acclimated to their new home,” said Wade Spang, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Supervisor.
In 2012, the NFF designated Midewin as a signature site in its Treasured Landscapes, Unforgettable Experiences conservation campaign. The bison introduction effort is complimentary to the restoration work, but outside of the NFF’s Treasured Landscapes campaign effort.
