Much of the Midwest was historically a matrix of grassland, savanna, and woodland thanks mostly to Indigenous stewardship with some help from bison and other forces. Today, most of these ecosystems have been replaced by agricultural fields, urban centers, and dense forests.
In central Illinois lies a remnant of the past. At Merwin Nature Preserve (also known as Merwin Savanna) in McClean County, visitors can catch a glimpse of what used to be common sights around the region. The preserve features a savanna dominated by white oak, oak and hickory woodlands, and a notably rare hillside grassland.
The ecosystems at Merwin Nature Preserve depend on fire to exist. Thankfully, the managers use prescribed fire to sustain these ecosystems.
I find myself in central Illinois every few months, and always make time to stop by Merwin and walk among the large oaks and diverse herbaceous understory while listening to the dozens of Red-Headed Woodpeckers that live there. Going there makes me both happy and sad. Happy to be able to explore these biodiverse and fascinating ecosystems, and sad to think what we've lost over the past 200 years.
