Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie offers Free Family Fun this fall in Will County

Klingler Cemetery on the grounds of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.  Midewin offers tours exploring Klingler and other cemeteries in Midwin.

The Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie hosts free events through October for individuals and families looking for a way to enjoy the outdoors in Will County.

October 2010 Weekend Tours at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie:

OCTOBER
Saturday October 2	8:30 a.m. History on Horseback 5:00 p.m. Cemetery at Dusk
Saturday October 16	10:00 a.m. What's with the Cows?
Wednesday October 20	3:30 p.m. Naturalist Badge for Webelos Scouts
Saturday October 30	4:30 p.m. Trick-or-Treat Bunker Style
Tours end for the season: see you next year!

Here is a description of the tours from the Midewin website:

History on Horseback – See and learn about Midewin, its history and management, from the back of your horse.  Join equestrian volunteers for a ride through portions of Midewin not yet open for public use as you learn more about how the area is being managed today.  Participants must bring their own horse.  Call for specific directions to the starting point for this activity.

Cemetery at Dusk - Just as the landscape changes over time so do cemeteries.  Learn about history and culture while immersed in the seclusion and serenity of Starr’s Grove, nestled in one of the last native woodlands on Midewin.  Meet at the Welcome Center.

Klingler Cemetery on the grounds of Midewin

What’s With the Cows? –….a question often asked by visitors to Midewin. Cattle serve a very useful purpose at Midewin and will continue to be part of the future of the property.  Meet some of the cattle, learn about the differences between the breeds and discover how these domestic animals benefit certain types of rare Midewin wildlife.  Meet at the Welcome Center.

Cows at the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie near Hoff Road and the Wauponsee Glacial Trail

Naturalist Badge for Webelos Scouts – 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct 20  

Learn about (and view!) poisonous plants and venomous animals of Illinois, discover food chains, and investigate Midewin wildlife in order to fulfill the requirements necessary to earn your Naturalist Badge.  (Registration preference given to Webelos Scouts)  

Trick-or-Treat Bunker Style - Trick-or-treat in a bunker field left over from a bygone era.  At each Bunker you will be greeted by a character from Midewin’s past, present or future who will share with you a memorable story or lesson.  Meet at the Welcome Center.

All Midewin tours offer a great chance to learn about the history of Midewin, which was formerly the Joliet Arsenal.  

The Midewin Welcome Center is located on Rt. 53 between Elwood and Wilmington.