Access & Directions

Township 29 North, Range 9 East, Section 21, Rock Grove Township, Stephenson County, IL. Coordinates: 42 degrees 29’ 48.33’’ North; 89 degrees 27’ 55.27’’ West.

In the North East corner of Stephenson County, travel West on Walnut Grove Road and turn right just a few hundred feet past Siedschlag Road. There is a 25 feet lane that proceeds North approximately ½ miles.

The prairie is in an area of Dolomite lime rock that has a large ditch cutting from South East to the North West.

Site Steward

Connect with the site steward to see how you can care for this rare habitat at an upcoming work party.

This site is stewarded by The Prairie Enthusiasts Prairie Bluff Chapter.

Site Steward: Nick Faessler (Email)

What Makes Meinert Prairie Special

The elevation of this site is 1030 feet above sea level.

It was never tilled as there is a large ditch that prevented access by farm tractors allowing the native flora to survive. Allen Meinert told of potatoes grown there a few years.

Learn more about plants found on this site through the Meinert Prairie Plant List.

How was Meinert Prairie Protected

More information coming soon!

How You Can Help Meinert Prairie

Management at Meinert Prairie will include pulling sweet clover and cutting sumac. Seeds will be collected and spread to the South and West sides as a buffer to the original prairie site. Lots of trees and brush have been removed along with wire rolls and posts.

The Meinert Prairie is managed by volunteers of The Prairie Enthusiasts forever to allow the 75 plus native species to thrive. The Prairie Bluff Chapter’s management of Meinert Prairie includes removing weeds and brush that threaten the native flora. Volunteers do prescribed burns as needed to ensure native grasses and forbs the chance to thrive.

The parcel is regularly burned, but only about one third at one time to insure invertebrates have a chance to survive.

The Prairie Bluff Chapter does tours led by knowledgeable volunteers to promote education and appreciation of fire dependent ecosystems. Volunteers also have assisted others in their scientific studies of prairie plants, insects and other native life on the prairie.

Check out our Events Calendar to see upcoming work parties or contact the site steward to get involved.