Bison herd ready for tourist stampede!

Bison once again roam the Illinois prairie. More than 100 bison now roam free in the Nachusa Grasslands, a 3,600-acre restored tall grass prairie, owned and operated by the Nature Conservancy in Franklin Grove, Il.

“Sometimes the bison emerge out of the tall grass, like ghosts.” Bill Kleiman, Nachusa Grasslands Manager

Itʼs a remarkable success story that is attracting more and more people. A new Visitor Center pavilion sits atop a gently sloping hill overseeing the vast prairie landscape. It features educational panels that tell the story of the grasslands, expanded parking, a hand pump with potable water, boulders that people can climb on or sit on, and self-composting toilets.

“People will be able to come and get a great sense of the prairie and maybe get a look at the bison and other wildlife,” Restoration Ecologist Cody Considine said.

“The center is especially suited to school groups, allowing students to read the information on the panels and then take self-guided tours”.

Atlanta's own Signature Design Collaborative LLC designed the branding program, the interpretive program, interactive exhibits, sculptural wildlife mosaics, a donor display, and wayfinding signage.

Congrats to Therese Huffman and her team at Signature!