Nature Rambles | Bell Bowl Prairie Update

MIKE MILLER

Last month, I wrote about the impending destruction of a native prairie near the Rockford International Airport. This prairie, one of the few remaining habitats of its kind, was slated to be destroyed by airport expansion beginning Nov. 1. Since then, the airport authority board has decided to delay destruction until further assessments can be completed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The prairie is one of the few places where Rusty Patched Bumble Bees are known to exist. There are also other rare and endangered plant species present. That assessment will be completed by March 1. But even before the assessment has been started, the airport authority is stating that there is no alternative plan that will prevent a roadway expansion from destroying the prairie. The airport is also stepping away from working with environmental organizations, like The Natural Land Institute, that has a long history of caring for this prairie. This isn’t over yet. To keep up with the issue, and find out ways that you can help save this prairie, visit https://www.savebellbowlprairie.org.

Whooping Crane comeback

On Nov. 6, something happened in the Central Platte River Valley of Nebraska, that hasn’t happened for a very long time…. Dozens of Whooping Cranes were all in one area, in the wild, at the same time. The Crane Trust, a not-for-profit located in Wood River Nebraska, documented 64 separate Whoopers during this fall’s migration. That’s over 10% of the world’s population of this rare bird. There are only 508 birds in existence in all of the world. Most would consider themselves extremely lucky to spot one or two during migration. Seeing a flock of these birds is like seeing a heard of unicorns. They are that rare. In March of 2021, I wrote about Sandhill Cranes, the more common cousin to the Whooping Crane. If you like birds, experiencing the Sandhill Crane migration along the Platte River in Nebraska is a bucket-list item. The Crane Trust is a great place to visit and should be on your travel itinerary for February through March. Find out more at https://cranetrust.org.

Thank you AmeriCorps NCCC

This year, the Peoria Park District hosted an AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) team. The crew was housed at the Tawny Oaks facility and served at several parks throughout the district. They spent 7 weeks focusing on the ecological restoration and stewardship of our many high-quality natural areas. They became experts at removal of invasive plant species such as bush honeysuckle and autumn olive in prairie and open woodland habitats. They also served with our conservation partners on similar projects for The Nature Conservancy, Illinois Audubon Society, and The ParkLands Foundation. Our crew members came from all parts of the country. They found Central Illinois a beautiful location to learn about conservation work. Most had never been to Illinois, and were impressed by the beauty of the Illinois River Valley, its rich woodlands, and beautifully blooming prairies. This is the third year that the Peoria Park District has hosted an NCCC crew, and each year, I walk away from the experience with an uplifted outlook for the future. This generation of young people can do a lot. It is up to those of us with knowledge and experience to pass on what we know to those who will follow us. They are more than willing, and eager, to learn. Are you in a position to lead a crew for 7 weeks in a community or civic project? Consider hosting an AmeriCorps NCCC team. Are you between the age of 19 and 26 and looking for a life-changing experience and an opportunity to earn college tuition? Consider becoming an AmeriCorps crew member. To find out more visit https://americorps.gov/about.