Summer 2001

One of the finest birding spots in Chicago Wilderness — restoration of prairie plants has brought back endangered grassland birds

DuPage County, Illinois

Acquired by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County in the 1970s, Springbrook Prairie near Naperville was slated to be transformed into a recreational lake. Instead, the creek snaking through the 1,800-acre preserve remains proudly dam-free, and the site once dubbed "Dragon Lake Preserve" is today an open prairie.

In the early 1990s, local naturalists Joe Suchecki and Vicki Shinn spearheaded a community effort to reevaluate the so-called "Dragon Lake Plan." Manifesting a large measure of public sentiment, DuPage County citizens successfully encouraged replacement of the plans for an artificial lake with an ecologically minded management strategy, focusing upon restoration of native prairie and wetland environments. Today, Suchecki is steward for Springbrook’s restoration sites.

The restoration has progressed nicely. About one-third of Springbrook Preserve is actively managed, but restoration is planned for the entire preserve. Removal of brush and non-native trees has prompted the return of many grassland birds, including grasshopper and savanna sparrows, bobolinks, and meadowlarks. In fact, Spring-brook Prairie is one of the finest birding spots in Chicago Wilderness. "Because of its size," Suchecki says, "Spring-brook is an important site for many endangered birds, including Henslow’s sparrow, the northern harrier (a ground-nesting hawk), and the short-eared owl." Prairie plants such as rattlesnake master, rough blazing star, prairie sunflower, and indigo bush have started to take hold in restoration sites.

A unique and intensive restoration is in the works for the prairie’s creek. While half of the approximately three-mile stream maintains its original meandering path, the other half was manipulated for agricultural use before the site was purchased by the Forest Preserve District. As a preliminary step in an effort to restore its natural path entirely, a study of the creek’s geologic characteristics is currently underway. According to Leslie Berns, natural resources supervisor for the Forest Preserve District, this research should be completed by 2002. Even before a spoonful of dirt has been moved, Springbrook Prairie’s creek boasts the highest Index of Biological Integrity rating in DuPage County, and is well worth a visit.

Visitors will find two parking lots at the preserve’s north end — one providing convenient access to the dog training area where dogs are permitted off leash and the other close to broad pebbled trails and a model airplane field (permit required). To see the beautiful winding creek, find a single-track trail on the far side of the airplane field, branching off the main path where this larger trail loops around. Follow the small path to a larger jeep trail that will lead back to the main, well-maintained trail — an easy loop through the heart of the preserve. The hiking trails now are rather short, but construction of an eight-mile perimeter path is planned.

— Michael Madison