Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie @ South Chicago Road was added to Your Favorites!
Elwood, Illinois
Claim this place to tell your story your way.
Established in 1996, Midewin is the first national tallgrass prairie in the U.S., aiming to restore and preserve the native prairie ecosystem.
In 2015, a herd of bison was introduced to Midewin as part of an ecological restoration project to help manage and restore the prairie landscape.
Before becoming a prairie, the land was used as the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant, which produced munitions during World War II and the Korean War.
The prairie is home to over 100 species of birds, including the endangered Henslow's sparrow, making it a significant site for birdwatching.
Spanning more than 22,000 acres, Midewin is one of the largest open spaces in the Chicago metropolitan area, offering extensive trails for hiking and biking.
The prairie is home to several rare plant species, including the federally threatened eastern prairie fringed orchid.
Midewin hosts various educational programs and volunteer opportunities to engage the public in conservation efforts and prairie restoration.
