What is a prairie and why is it important?
A prairie is an area dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants, with few trees, if any. Prairies are a type of grassland that at one time covered much of the Midwest. Some common prairie plants include Big Bluestem, Prairie Cord Grass, Indian Grass, Yellow Coneflower, Common Milkweed, Tall Goldenrod, Prairie Blazing Star, Prairie Dock and Rattlesnake Master. Although, you might find as many as 100 species in a ten acre site.

Agricultural plants from grasslands make up approximately 70% of the world’s diet (corn, wheat, barley, oats, and rice). Not to mentioned cattle and poultry we consume that eat the grasses.

Most of the prairie plant exists underground. Their deep roots break up the soil and as they die and decay they help make the land very fertile for crops. These very deep layers of topsoil in tallgrass prairies make them the most fertile areas on earth!

Thanks to prairies, we have food and fertile earth for planting. Prairies also support a large diversity of wildlife and make wonderful natural classrooms!

Why do we burn prairies?
Fire is a natural occurrence that prairie plants have evolved to handle. Fire discourages trees from growing in a prairie, because the living tissue in trees is vulnerable to the intense heat. Most of the prairie plant is underground. During the fall, the top portion dies off, and the rest of the plant goes dormant. The only part of the plant that suffers fire damage is already dead!

Since natural fires are untimely and uncontrollable, prairie restorations use prescribed burns to help maintain a natural balance and keep the prairie healthy.

What is the status of prairies in Illinois?

Prairies once made up at least 22 million acres of land in Illinois (all but 8

counties), but most of this acreage is now residential, commercial and agricultural land. Remnant prairies can be found throughout a number of counties in Illinois. Some areas have been successful in restoring prairies, including Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Morton Arboretum, and Goose Lake Prairie State Preserve.