Peoria Audubon Society is a local affiliate of both:
National Audubon Society & Illinois Audubon Society
Brimfield Railroad Prairie
Strip of Prairie in Peoria County
August 31, 2008
Photo Gallery
Earlier this year, Peoria Audubon Society received an offer of a land donation in the form of a 6 acre parcel of an Illinois Nature Preserve. The local Audubon board discussed the possible donation and passed a land acquisition policy to establish guidelines for the evaluation of such donations.
The main feature of the offered parcel is the unique plant community protected by the nature preserve status. The small size precludes much bird habitat. At the present time, there are no plans to open the parcel to the public; however, volunteers will need to maintain the parcel according to the management plan of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.
The board is proceeding with arrangements for securing liability insurance and to take the proper steps for owning the property. More details will be made in the near future.
Several members of the board visited the parcel for the first time on Aug. 31. Dennis, humble webmaster for Peoria Audubon Society took a few photos to document the flora and the condition of an Illinois prairie in late summer.
Black Swallowtail Butterfly on Prairie Thistle
With the late summer, several prairie plants were still in bloom in the above photo, a Black Swallowtail butterfly was on a bloom of Prairie Thistle.
Walking Through the Tall Compass Plants
The tall Compass plants slowed down the walking.
Compass Plants, Prairie Grasses, and Wildflowers
Downy Gentian
The Downy Gentian was an uncommon find in the prairie.
Rattlesnake Master
Seed Pods of a Baptista Plant
Maury and Nodding Rye
Wildflower Blooms of Late Summer
Pete Almost Walked Through a Spider Web
Black-and-yellow Garden Spider
Cream Gentian & Downy Gentian
Maury indicated that finding the two species of Gentian, especially next to each other, was a very uncommon find.
Joe Showing a Large Spider on Bluestem
Late Summer, before the first frost of Fall, is when insects and spiders proliferate.
Maury Showing an Example of Culvers Root
Discussing the Future Possibilities of the Prairie
More information on the status and outcome of this potential land donation will be soon forthcoming.