500 Prairie Creek Woods Trail
501 Prairie Farmer Interpretive Route
The woodland around Prairie Farmer Interpretive Route wasn't always filled with trees. This was area was once known as Fairview Dairy Farm and run by the Arthur and Vera Schumacher. Until 1940, most of this space was filled with farmyard, farm buildings, and home but not all these trees. The majority of trees you see here are decedents of a few black locust trees planted in the 1930's. This was encouraged by the government to prevent soil erosion. Black locust trees are colonial and send up new trees from the roots. Black locust are not native to this part of Illinois and can become invasive. On the plus side, they do make strong fence posts, have sweet smelling, beautiful flowers, and are part of history of this farm. The woodland flowers you see below the trees have arrived mainly by bird. In recent years, Midewin has added woodland seed to increase the plant diversity.
502 Welcome Center
Midewin Welcome Center offers a tranquil space with pleasantnature sounds on a recording with colorful interpretive signs that highlightthe cultural and natural history of the land. Visitors to the Welcome Centerwill find out more about Midewin's history and mission and how restoration isoccurring.
Those comingto learn about or view the Bison will want to start here to find out more aboutthe Bison Project and explore the bison boxes. There are several displays atthe Welcome Center, including Glaciers, Wetland Habitats, Prairie Habitats,Wildlife that Inhabit Wetlands and Prairies, Ghosts of the Prairie and theTimeline of the Midewin Area. The Welcome Center has a variety of programs andtours from April to October. During the winter months we host a "WinterLecture Series" on nature and conservation related topics, held in theconference room.
The WelcomeCenter is open from April through the end of October, Monday through Saturday,from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. From November through March winter operationalhours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Trails remain openyear-round, Monday through Sunday, from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
