Due to last minute changes in staff availability, we will not be able to issue Interagency Passes at our Welcome Center on Saturday, June 10th. We apologize for any inconveniences.
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Volunteers & staff are increasing & improving habitat for native Illinois prairie species 50 miles southwest of Chicago along historic US Route 66.
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This Saturday is Get Outdoors Day. Celebrate by joining us for the first Birds of Midewin tour of the summer. 8:30-10:30am, meet at the Welcome Center. Call 815-423-6370 or e-mail SM.FS.Midewin_RSVP@usda.gov to register.
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Interagency Passes will be unavailable for purchase today, May 30th, at the Midewin Welcome Center. Apologies for the inconvenience.
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In observance of Memorial Day, the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Supervisor’s Office and Welcome Center will be closed Monday, May 29th. Our trails remain open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. We wish you a safe, peaceful holiday weekend.
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You may be asking - "Where are the bikes?" Please stay tuned as we are working to get the rental bikes back onsite soon. If you are planning to utilize the rental bikes for your visit, please call the Welcome Center to check their status 815-423-6370.
Photo by Ron Kapala
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Until further notice, Interagency Passes will be unavailable for purchase from our Welcome Center on Mondays. Visitors may still purchase the passes at our location Tuesdays through Saturdays. The Welcome Center’s hours are Monday-Saturday from 8:00-4:30. store.usgs.gov/recreational-p
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The bison herd at Midewin is growing - two calves were born last week, just in time for Mother's Day!
View them live on our website: fs.usda.gov/detail/midewin
USDA Forest Service Photos. First photo is by Sarah Sheehan, second is by Kelly Gutknecht.
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Midewin for Kids summer programs begin June 14 with "Bird is the Word". All programs are free & registration is required. Call 815-423-6370 or e-mail SM.FS.Midewin_RSVP@usda.gov to register. All programs are listed on our website: rb.gy/232ft
Photo by Rich Hickson
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Check out how bison are helping to restore the unique tallgrass prairie of , just an hour away from Chicago’s towering skyscrapers!
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On Monday, Acting Public Services Staff Officer Raymond Feliciano and Scott Slocum from discussed the Midewin's history, mission, and the bison herd! Midewin is one of the many stops to be highlighted as part of WJOL's Great American Road Trip.
#HCDestinations #Route66
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The Midewin is hiring recent graduates in conjunction with the MANRRS conference. Conference attendance not necessary to apply. Applications accepted through USAJOBS.gov, open today through April 20. For more info about the position, visit: fs.usda.gov/main/midewin/a.
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The Midewin will be hiring recent graduates in conjunction with the MANRRS conference. Conference attendance isn't necessary to apply. Applications accepted through USAJOBS.gov April 10–20. For more information about the open position, visit: fs.usda.gov/main/midewin/a.
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The bridge over Prairie Creek on the Blodgett Marsh Trail is currently closed. Access to the trail via this entrance is closed until repairs can be made. For more information about the alternative access route please see our website fs.usda.gov/midewin or call 815-423-6370.
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Are you looking for a job that is anything, but ordinary? The USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region Fire and Aviation Management program has permanent positions.
Jobs open today and will close on the 29th. For more information, visit fs.usda.gov/main/r9/jobs.
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Are you looking for a job that is anything, but ordinary? The USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region Fire and Aviation Management program has permanent positions.
Jobs open on March 20th and will close on the 29th. For more information, visit fs.usda.gov/main/r9/jobs.
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Midewin Archaeologist and Tribal Liaison Joe Wheeler shared info at the Aux Sable Elementary School STEM Family Fun Night on 03/15 in partnership with . Students and families learned about the Bison Experiment, archaeology, and recreation opportunities at Midewin.
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STUDENTS: Apply through March 25 to be part of the Youth Conservation Corps here at Midewin NTP! Apply: tinyurl.com/6rma6895.
Email form to SM.FS.Midewin_RSVP@usda.gov; or mail to:
USDA Forest Service
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
30239 Highway 53
Wilmington, IL 60481
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USDA Forest Service staff will be conducting prescribed burning starting next week in parts of the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Preparations are being made to conduct burning as weather permits. You might see smoke due to the controlled burning.
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We are seeking to fill a GS-0455-05/06/07 permanent full-time position for a Rangeland Technician! To be considered you must apply by March 15, 2023. Apply at: usajobs.gov/job/709307300 and respond directly into the Outreach database at: tinyurl.com/yjxccpw3.
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Happy Birthday, Midewin NTP! 27 years ago today, the Illinois Land Conservation Act established Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie! This special short video features some of the Volunteers, Partners and Staff Members who have so far been involved!
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STUDENTS: Apply through March 18 to be part of the Youth Conservation Corps here at Midewin NTP! Apply: tinyurl.com/6rma6895.
Email form to SM.FS.Midewin_RSVP@usda.gov; or mail to:
USDA Forest Service
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie
30239 Highway 53
Wilmington, IL 60481
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In celebration of #BlackHistoryMonth, our Welcome Center is displaying a special mural by Kathleen Farrell with Friends of Joliet Community Public Art, commissioned by the USDA Forest Service. It depicts the journey along the Underground Railroad at locations surrounding Midewin!
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We are seeking to fill a permanent full-time position for a Public Affairs Specialist! To be considered, apply by midnight on February 9, 2023. usajobs.gov/job/703819800
If you have any questions on the position, please contact Christina Henderson at christina.henderson@usda.gov
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We are seeking to fill a permanent full-time position for a Visitor Services Information Assistant in Wilmington, IL. Applications are accepted until midnight on January 31, 2023! usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDet
For questions, please contact kelly.a.gutknecht@usda.gov or (815)423-2116.
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UPDATE:
Application period has been extended through January 27, 2023.
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The Midewin NTP is advertising for a supervisory Rangeland Management Specialist. Duties include administering cattle grazing permits and managing a USDA-owned herd of American Plains Bison. Applications accepted now until Friday, January 20, 2023: usajobs.gov/job/699787200.
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The Midewin NTP is advertising for a supervisory Rangeland Management Specialist. Duties include administering cattle grazing permits and managing a USDA-owned herd of American Plains Bison. Applications accepted now until Friday, January 20, 2023: usajobs.gov/job/699787200.
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Bison are currently within view of the #MidewinBisonCam: fs.usda.gov/midewin/. Bison are here as a 20 year conservation experiment. Special thanks to
U.S. Forest Service in a partnership agreement to bring the bison herd and cam to Midewin.
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Student internships for this summer at Midewin open NOW through January 27th on USAjobs -
tinyurl.com/36uc465k - Foundational (2)
tinyurl.com/mry2a6p3 - Administrative (1)
tinyurl.com/hrc6zjsh - Natural Resources (2)
tinyurl.com/3srf3xzu - Physical Sciences (1)
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The Forest Service is hiring student interns - Positions at Midewin include restoration, natural resources, hydrology and administration.
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2023 Midewin Planner is here! It features photographs taken by U.S. Military veterans and family members who participated in Brushwood Center’s “At Ease” Nature Platoon! Available at our Welcome Center and online at: tinyurl.com/yc3hfu92.
📸: Joseph Paleczny, U.S. Air Force.
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Connect w/nature in ANY kind of Wx! Beautiful nature photos of Midewin taken by U.S. Military veterans & family members will be on display at through 12/21! INFO: Brushwood Center’s “At Ease” Nature Platoon at Midewin: tinyurl.com/2k35sc9x. 📸: Kristin Gasik
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Thank you to everyone who participated in the “Owl Watch” Tour today! Participants included U.S. Military veterans & family members involved in The Mission Continues & ’s At Ease Nature Platoon. Next OWL tour: 12/10, 3PM; meet at the Iron Bridge Trailhead.
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#FridayFeeling #WillCountyAudubonSociety VP Greg DuBois photographed this short-eared #owl. Greg will guide Owl Watch Photography Tours-12/3 ( Nature Platoon Vets); & 12/10; meet at 3 at the Iron Bridge Trailhead. REGISTER: 815-423-6370 SM.FS.Midewin_RSVP@usda.gov
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For #NationalPieDay & #ThrowbackThursday, we're sharing Verna Schumacher’s #PumpkinPie #recipe! Verna grew pumpkins and baked pies with them in her farm kitchen, which was located where the Iron Bridge Trailhead is today, 100 years ago! RECIPE:
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Register now for ‘Owl Watch’ tours and ‘Owl Prowl’ hikes in Will County this December
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Watching for short-eared owls? Here’s what to look for: Wingspan=35 / 40 inches; Length=15 inches; Heavily streaked wings & body; white to tan-colored underwings & body w/dark striping; dark bars on wings; Round, cream facial disc w/dark eye patches; yellow eyes. 📸: Ken Murphy
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Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and the Forest Preserve District of Will County are hosting owl events in December.
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Will County Audubon Society VP Greg Du Bois will guide 2 “Owl Watch” photography tours here- 12/3- for US Military veterans & family members; 12/10- General Public: 3PM, Meet at the Iron Bridge Trailhead. To Register: 815-423-6370 or sm.fs.Midewin_RSVP@usda.gov. 📸: Mark Korosa
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#NationalCakeDay: For Midewin’s 25th anniversary, Chef Sarah Stegner worked w/ to share her recipe for a SAVORY “birthday cake” featuring LOCAL ingredients. RECIPE: Wild Rice, Beans & Squash Cakes with Honey & Elderberry: tinyurl.com/4r8y2b6t
📸: Cindy Kurman
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On this #NativeAmericanHeritageDay we're sharing the recording of a recent webinar highlighting historical importance of bison to Native Americans: tinyurl.com/4tnkkcx9. @FirstPeoplesBuffaloJump
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