Midewin has received a grant from the National Forest Foundation to purchase these plants. They have arrived and now Midewin needs your helping hands to get them in the ground quickly.
Join fellow nature lovers at Midewin on any of the following workdays and you can help make a huge difference. The plugs will be planted near the beginning of the Prairie Creek Woods Trail where they can be enjoyed by hundreds of visitors each year. This half-acre could be a new favorite spot to view beautiful native wildflowers in a huge open space. Groups and families are always welcome. Our goal is to join together at least 50 people ages 7 and up.
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| River Road Seed Beds at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie |
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| Open space along the Prairie Creek Trail at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie |
Please RSVP for any of the following dates to Allison Cisnernos (Volunteer Coordinator) at 815-423-2149
Saturday, July 16
Sunday, July 17 (only if we are rained out on July 16)
Monday, July 18
Tuesday, July 19
Work will start at 9am and end at 2:30pm. Meet at the River Road Seedbeds/Trailhead (directions below). Feel free to join us for a Half-day if it's better for your schedule.
Midewin will provide tools, safety gear and water. Remember to wear layers, field boots and a hat. Please bring your own lunch if you plan to stay. After the workday, grab your bike or binoculars if you want to explore our trails and hike through a woodland or prairie restoration.
This is somewhat short notice, but Midewin need lots of helping hands so if you cannot join us, please pass this invite on.
Directions to the River Road Seedbeds:
From I-55: Look for exit 241, Wilmington. At the top of the ramp (both northbound and southbound), turn left or east. Travel about 2 miles on New River Road to an intersection labeled Boathouse Road or State Game Farm. Turn left or north, and follow the gravel road to the parking area.
OR: Take I-55 to I-80. Head east, or toward Toledo. Follow the directions below for I-80.
From I-80: Look for exit 132, State Route 53 and Chicago Street. At the end of the ramp (both eastbound and westbound), turn right or south. Travel south on State Route 53, also known as Historic Route 66, for approximately 15 miles -- past the race tracks, the town of Elwood, and Prairie Creek grain company. The Welcome Center will be on the left or east side of the highway. Continue approximately 1.0 mile further south on State Route 53 to the intersection with New River Road. Turn right or west, and travel approximately 2 miles on New River Road to an intersection labeled Boathouse Road or State Game Farm. Turn right or north, and follow the gravel road to the parking area.
From I-57: Look for exit 327, Peotone. From the northbound ramp, turn left or west. From the southbound ramp, turn right or west. Travel approximately 15 miles on the Wilmington-Peotone Road to the lighted intersection at State Route 53. Turn right or north, and travel approximately 1 mile to the intersection with New River Road. Turn left or west on to New River Road, following the signs for I55. Travel approximately 2 miles on New River Road to an intersection labeled Boathouse Road or State Game Farm. Turn right or north, and follow the gravel road to the parking area.
