This is a prairie restoration at its finest.
There are test plots all over their almost 5,000 acres of land. From annual burn sites, to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year seedings right next to each other! You can literally see how long it takes native prairie plants to emerge.
*The first year you won't have that many natives coming up from your seeding. In fact, you'll have aggressive weeds trying to make their way in. No wonder you need patience when you plant a prairie! Those prairie plants you haven't seen yet, have spent the last 2 years establishing their root systems. Now in year 3, they'll be ready to flower!
It's a great place to have your many restoration questions answered:
Does a specific chemical work on a particular plant?
When is the correct time to treat this plant?
Should you seed the more conservative plants right away, or wait until the quicker sprouting plants establish the soil while you fight back the weeds with treatment control, and then do you interseed the conservatives?
When do you decide to burn? Spring/late summer/fall??
These guys have been at it for 25 years. A lot of the stewards have been with the site easily over a decade. They contain a lot of knowledge on restorations. Nachusa has grown slowly in acres throughout the years. That's why it's great to see the 1st year seedings, all the way to the established prairies, and everything in-between.
If you'd ever like to feel consumed, yet strangely relaxed, and randomly think (or make up) a Ralph Waldo saying in your head, give them a visit!
Nachusa Grasslands
Pics:
There are test plots all over their almost 5,000 acres of land. From annual burn sites, to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year seedings right next to each other! You can literally see how long it takes native prairie plants to emerge.
*The first year you won't have that many natives coming up from your seeding. In fact, you'll have aggressive weeds trying to make their way in. No wonder you need patience when you plant a prairie! Those prairie plants you haven't seen yet, have spent the last 2 years establishing their root systems. Now in year 3, they'll be ready to flower!
It's a great place to have your many restoration questions answered:
Does a specific chemical work on a particular plant?
When is the correct time to treat this plant?
Should you seed the more conservative plants right away, or wait until the quicker sprouting plants establish the soil while you fight back the weeds with treatment control, and then do you interseed the conservatives?
When do you decide to burn? Spring/late summer/fall??
These guys have been at it for 25 years. A lot of the stewards have been with the site easily over a decade. They contain a lot of knowledge on restorations. Nachusa has grown slowly in acres throughout the years. That's why it's great to see the 1st year seedings, all the way to the established prairies, and everything in-between.
If you'd ever like to feel consumed, yet strangely relaxed, and randomly think (or make up) a Ralph Waldo saying in your head, give them a visit!
Nachusa Grasslands
Pics:
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| Prickly Pear |
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| Pussy Toes |
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| Prairie Smoke |
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| A nice oak savanna |
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| Standing on a remnant with the green area in the background being burned last fall |
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| Wood Betony |
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| Silky Aster near the bottom |
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