ExperienceGuide2023 - 10

A FOCUS ON
As a community, we have a commitment to sustainability,
improving our green spaces, utilizing local foods, and
providing opportunities to shop eco-friendly products.
Restoring Our Prairies
Illinois is known as the Prairie State because prairies are is a large part of our area's
heritage. Over time, prairies were cleared out to make way for agriculture, reducing
natural areas in our public spaces. Locally, our forest preserves and park districts are
working tirelessly to bring back these natural spaces to better serve the land.
Through restoration of prairie and native biosystems, a more balanced ecosystem is
created, establishing habitats for wildlife, and building resistance to climate change.
" The benefits are numerous, " explains Peter Goodspeed, Director of Natural Resources
for the Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Forests, prairies, and wetlands
improve air quality by cleaning particulates out of the air. All of these ecosystems
mitigate climate change by sequestering and storing carbon dioxide. They also absorb
water to reduce flooding, to cleaning the water before it goes into rivers, and slows
down water to recharge our aquifer. " Even if people don't utilize our services, accessing
our trails or programs, people are receiving benefits indirectly with cleaner air and
water, and community resilience to flood and drought. "
Integrated pest management is a focus through management of invasive species.
Peter explains that invasive species are the third leading global driver of biodiversity
loss, and likely the second greatest driver in the Midwest behind habitat loss. They're
focused on making ecosystems pristine and re-establishing native plant communities.
Tree removal and brush clearing are also an important part of restoring grasslands to
pre-settlement conditions. He notes that less than 1/10th of 1% of remnant prairie still
exists in the state.
Within the past five years, over 160 acres of the seven preserves have been converted
to tallgrass prairie. Reforestation is underway, noting that it can take 15-20 years for a
young forest to develop. Understory clearing of non-native bush honeysuckle is critical
to allow in more sunlight for trees to regenerate and woodland flowers to prosper,
while improving habitats for wildlife. On your next visit to Lake of the Woods, River Bend,
Sangamon River, Heron View, Homer Lake, Middle Fork River, and the Kickapoo Rail Trail,
observe your surroundings and acknowledge the efforts taken to restore these serene
spaces.
In Champaign, you'll discover native plants attracting pollinators in several of
Champaign Park District's spaces including Heritage Park, Scott Park, Porter Family
Park, and Sunset Ridge Park, as their naturalist works to restore balance. Across
Wright St. in Urbana, natural areas include Busey Woods in Crystal Lake Park, much of
Meadowbrook Park, and Weaver Park.
Through the work of these organizations and their staff and volunteers, we are all able
to admire the beauty in these spaces and reap the many environmental benefits that
will serve our community for years to come.
10 Official Champaign-Urbana Area Experience Guide

ExperienceGuide2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ExperienceGuide2023