Lincoln-Way Community Prairie

99.9% of Illinois prairies have disappeared into farmland, urban sprawl, and industry. The remaining fragments of prairie have been scattered across the landscape, appearinmg in areas such as veteran cemetaries, preserves, and along railroad tracks. David Kropp, a Mokena native, svavenged these areas years ago to gather these rare plant's seeds. He planted a part of his property into native prairie and now helps our Lincoln-Way students collect and prepare the seeds in hopes of restoring a native ecosystem behind Lincoln-Way East. Our Lincoln-Way students have followed Mr. Kropp's lead by mentoring younger students in restoring the Lincoln-Way Community Prairie and helping them understand the importance of native areas.

Despite the rarity of prairies, restorations and native landscapings are gaining momentum. People are realizing not only the intrinsic beauty, but also their practical applications due to the drought tolerance, durability, and financial advantages of these tough but beautiful plants.

Schools have been an important part of this resoration process.Our students learn about local efforts in conservation and environmental ethics. In addition, the prairie serves as an excellent resource for teachers to use hands on activities to enhance their lessons in such topics as biology, chemistry, english, and vocational education.

If you are interested in receiving a newsletter designed by the Environmental Action Club of Lincoln-Way East with the goal of educating people about local plants and animals and environmentally friendly land use practices, please contact :

Scott McCreary

phone: 815-464-4273

e-mail- smccreary@lw210.org

Our project utilizes all aspects of our community. These include:

• Environmental Action Club members gathering seed from local seed sources to prepare for planting
• Local landowners allowing students to learn the prairie plants and collection of seeds
• Local farmers allowing their old barn to be taken down and some of the wood used for bluebird houses.
• Lincoln-Way teachers helping plant and maintain the prairie.
• Local Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and 4-H clubs helping to plant the prairie
• Lincoln-Way High School students researching, designing, and building educational signs
• Local government allowing a unique land lease to Lincoln-Way for land development
• Local business owners providing educational discounts for needed items
• Lincoln-Waqy vocational students helping to construct and cut the bluebird houses
  • THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED AND SUPPORTED OUR PROJECT!