Nachusa COA

The Nachusa COA, encompassing roughly 140 square miles, contains a high diversity of ecological communities. Protected areas within this COA include The Nature Conservancy’s Nachusa Grasslands, and Franklin Creek Natural Area. One can observe northern boreal species thriving on the cool, northern-exposed rock faces that are abundant in this area and nearby on exposed southern slopes or sandy soils are species such as prickly pear cactus and western hognose snake. The Nachusa COA contains wet to dry prairies, upland and lowland oak forest and savanna, bubbling sand springs, calcareous fens, marshes, beaver ponds, and several quality streams. A biological oasis, the Nachusa COA has suitable habitat for a high diversity of species of native plants and wildlife.

According to the IL WAP, “Nachusa Grasslands…is one of the largest remaining prairie landscapes in Illinois.” This one preserve has over 700 native plant species. Also included in the Nachusa COA are a high number of natural ponds and seeps that were noted in a 1996 Ecological Services report.  In October 2014, 30 bison were introduced to Nachusa Grasslands.  Originally part of the herd from Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota, these bison have been tested and show no traces of cattle genes. The Nature Conservancy is committed to keeping bison as wild as possible, within the constraints of available space and human safety, and with minimal veterinary care just once a year at the fall roundup. The animals breed, birth, feed, and care for themselves without human intervention. Weather extremes, parasites, potential predators, and herd social dynamics are all realities for Nachusa's bison.