Nachusa Grasslands

Nachusa Grasslands is a large protected area in Illinois featuring restored prairie, wetlands, and savanna habitats with native plants. The land spans several thousand acres that have been carefully recovered through decades of restoration work.

The Nature Conservancy bought this land in 1986 to establish one of Illinois's largest protected prairie areas. Major restoration programs have transformed the site since then and strengthened its role in preserving native ecosystems.

Volunteers work steadily to maintain the land and contribute to ongoing research projects that help guide restoration efforts. You can see the impact of this community involvement in how well the trails are kept and how the landscape is managed.

Visitors can walk on marked trails during daylight hours and join guided tours to learn more about the land. Viewing areas are set up at safe distances to watch wildlife, especially during early morning and late afternoon when animals are most active.

A bison herd roams freely across thousands of acres after being reintroduced to the land. The return of these large grazing animals to their former home is a key part of the restoration effort that visitors notice right away.