Tall Grass Prairie and Bison in Illinois

Tall Grass Prairie and Bison

The longevity of Illinois tallgrass prairie regions can be attributed to the herds of bison that roam through the land.

Guide Sections

Use Tall Grass Prairie and Bison's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.

Point of Interest

Tall Grass Prairie and Bison Details

Difficulty

Low

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The longevity of Illinois tallgrass prairie regions can be attributed to the herds of bison that roam through the land. From 1820 to 1978, the grasslands had decreased an astounding 95%, from 22 million acres to only 2,300 acres. But as more and more bison were introduced to the land, they were able to eat and restore the grassland ecosystem. If you are looking to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures, then visit the Nachusa Grassland or the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Not only will you get to see the herds grazing in the fields, but you will also get to see flourishing prairie habitats like they existed hundreds of years ago.