Getting there
The visitor center is at 2075 Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, Illinois 61031. This is separate from the headquarters and mailing address farther north. The preserve is open sunrise to sunset.
Places to Explore • Illinois
Bison on rolling prairie, colorful wildflowers, and wooded rock outcrops.
The bison—often called buffalo—are a memorable part of Nachusa. Brian’s photographs show adults and rusty-colored calves among the green grasses, along with birds, spring flowers, and a quieter woodland side of the preserve.
The return of a prairie grazer
Thirty bison arrived at Nachusa in October 2014. Their return brought an important ecological process back to the prairie: grazing by a large native herbivore.
Bison eat substantial amounts of grasses and sedges. This can reduce competition for wildflowers, while their uneven grazing creates patches of shorter and taller vegetation. The herd helps shape the habitat as it feeds.
Look for the calves’ rusty-orange coats in Brian’s photographs. Young bison can move with the herd within hours of birth.
A landscape rebuilt over decades
The Nature Conservancy began protecting Nachusa in the 1980s. By the end of 1986 it owned 397 acres; the preserve now spans more than 4,000 acres of prairie, savanna, wetlands, and other habitats.
Staff and volunteers collect native seed, manage invasive plants, and use prescribed fire to help restore the landscape. The work connects surviving prairie remnants with restored areas.
Brian’s flower photographs include purple spiderwort, white beardtongue, and lupine seed pods. The wooded rock ledges add another texture to a place best known for its open grasslands.
Plan your visit
The visitor center is at 2075 Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, Illinois 61031. This is separate from the headquarters and mailing address farther north. The preserve is open sunrise to sunset.
The herd ranges across about 1,500 fenced acres and may be out of sight. Bring binoculars or a long lens. View from the visitor center overlook or designated roadside pull-offs; do not stop in the roadway or enter the fenced bison units.
The Nature Conservancy’s bison FAQ asks visitors to stay at least 100 yards away, even across a fence. Follow posted instructions.
Use designated hiking areas outside the bison units. The visitor center has short walking options, while Stone Barn Savanna offers woodland, prairie openings, and sandstone outcrops. Pets are not permitted; trained service animals are welcome. Leave plants and other natural features in place.
23 selected photographs, grouped by subject. Open any image to view the complete slideshow.
Preserve history and visitor guidance: The Nature Conservancy. Bison ecology, calf information, and viewing locations: Friends of Nachusa Grasslands and The Nature Conservancy.
Official Preserve InformationBison Questions & AnswersSelf-Guided Visit← Back to Places to Explore