Less than 0.01% of Illinois is still covered in the state's native prairie, with less than 2,500 acres remaining today, according to the U.S. Forest Service. First Presbyterian Church in Normal has been working to help restore some prairie in its own backyard.
The church's Green Team transformed more than two acres of turf grass into a diverse habitat of native wildflowers and grasses, which was celebrated over the weekend with prairie tours, activities for children and information about the development and next steps for the prairie project.
“We had the land here that had been sitting vacant for almost 30 years, and we had to maintain it, but it was just more or less sterile land, and we wanted to do something constructive and positive with it,” said Rob Mentzer, a longtime member of the church at 2000 E. College Ave., Normal, and its Green Team.
The Baptist church across the street from First Presbyterian has already completed a similar prairie reclamation project which Mentzer said inspired their decision.
“This had all been grass that our property committee and our mowing volunteers had mowed faithfully every week," said Karol Schilling, an associate pastor at the church. "I think it took them five or six hours to mow each week, and we appreciate their dedication. But we wondered what else we could do with this land besides just having grass. And before I arrived here, there were plans to explore putting solar panels on the land.”
Schilling said they also checked with the church's family ministries director to make sure this would not prohibit any of the youth activities that sometimes take place at the site.
"As you can see on the other side, we still have a large grassy area with plenty of room for kickball, sports and games like that,” Schilling said.
Eric Jome, a member of the church and Green Team, describes the new prairie as faithful to what was in Illinois before settlers arrived.
“We are really trying to put back the kinds of plants that would have been here originally. This particular prairie and the seed that we used is mostly wildflowers and not as much grass. A typical prairie would have a lot more grass in it, but we very specifically went with more flowers just to attract butterflies and bees.”
Mentzer said there are over 100 different varieties of native Illinois plants that are part of the mix, which was obtained with help from McLean County Soil and Water Conservation District. The church also received help from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation which granted $3,500 for the project as well as a $450 grant from Faith In Place for the purchase of seeds.
Now that the prairie is officially open, Mentzer said the prairie is for anyone in the community looking to enjoy the natural scenery, not just church members.
“We wanted this place to be a place where anyone in the community can come and walk the trails and enjoy the beauty of a natural prairie,” Mentzer said, adding the prairie is for education too. “This is right by the street, so people can see this, and hopefully that is kind of an inspiration for folks that may want to do a little bit of this themselves at home.”
First Presbyterian Church also aligns itself with the ideals of stewardship, discipleship and resilience which Mentzer says perfectly explains the prairie project.
“We believe that the prairie is a place for education. It's a place for ecological renewal and a place for meditation and peace, and the idea of sharing this special place with others is right in line with what we try to accomplish in the church.”
Schilling explained the prairie as a way to utilize the land that God gave the church.
“The reason for celebration is acknowledging the effort and the process that this didn't just miraculously grow overnight, but that people dedicated their time and effort and skill to make it happen,” Schilling said. “We feel we have done something faithful with the land that God has given to us to steward. And so, as I'm talking now, I see the dragonflies flying around, and it is also a beautiful picture of diversity.”
