Exploratory Summer Prairie Walk at Hanley Savanna

Saturday, August 8 – 10:00 a.m. to Noon

Location: Hanley Savanna in Hanover, IL

Please join the Northern Illinois chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts for an exploratory walk through a summer prairie!

Hanley Savanna is a 160-acre prairie, savanna, and woodland restoration in rural Hanover, Illinois. Owned by The Prairie Enthusiasts and stewarded by the Northwest Illinois Chapter since 2003, this site has transformed from row cropland and white pine plantation to several types of prairie ecosystems, including tall grass prairies, oak savannas, fens, sand blowouts, and black oak barrens.

We hope to see bumblebees (maybe the endangered rusty-patched bumblebee) and lots of other pollinators and butterflies. Our guest leader will be biologist Beverly Paulan, an expert on native pollinators and their relationship to native plants. Bev is currently doing aerial surveys of local whooping crane populations in Wisconsin for the International Crane Foundation, and bat surveys for the Wisconsin DNR.

DIFFICULTY:
The trails are mown grass and relatively level.

WHAT TO BRING:
Please bring water, insect repellent, and dress appropriately for the weather. There is an available portable relief station.

CONTACT:
Please RSVP to Laura Dufford at lauradufford@gmail.com and include your phone number in case of cancellation.

LOCATION:
Hanley Savanna is located at 9417 Whitton Road in Hanover, IL. We will meet at the shed. MAP HERE