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TWO DECADES OF PRAIRIE RESTORATION AT FERMILAB
BATAVIA, ILLINOIS
Robert F. Betz*
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 N. St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
Robert J. Lootens and Michael K. Becker
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Department of Roads and Grounds
P.O. Box 500
Batavia, Illinois 60510
*Corresponding author
ABSTRACT: In the spring of 1975 seeds of 70 prairie species, hand-collected
from remnant prairies within a 50-mile
radius of Fermilab, were planted by Nisbet drill in a 3.9 ha (9.6 acres)
of tilled agricultural soil within the Fermilab
accelerator ring. Since that time, there have been 23 additional plantings
both inside and outside the ring. The total area
seeded to prairie is approximately 405 ha (1000 acres). During these past
two decades a method of successional restora-
tion has been developed. In this method, the seeds of early successional
species having wide ecological tolerances,
designated the prairie matrix, are drilled into recently cultivated ground.
Within three years this prairie matrix provides
an adequate fuel load capable of being burned. This initiates changes in
the biological and physical structure of the soil
necessary for the introduction and successful entry of higher successional
prairie species having narrower ecological
tolerances into the system. Continuous observations of these tracts have
provided valuable information on large-scale
prairie restoration, which in turn has led to: 1) the use of different and
more efficient agricultural equipment; 2) changes
in the methods of collecting, cleaning, and sowing of seed; 3) an increased
use of both autumn and spring burns; 4) the
development of new methods for the enrichment of plantings; and 5) studies
on the possible use of mycorrhizal fungi
inocula to hasten the establishment of higher successional species. In addition
to the prairie restoration project, efforts
are also being made to increase the species diversity of remnant wetlands
and woods at Fermilab.
Key words: prairie, restoration, Fermilab


INTRODUCTION
During the autumn of 1974, approximately 181.2 kg (400
lb) of mixed prairie seeds (70 species) were hand-
collected from remnant prairies found within 80.5 km (50
mi) of Fermilab. These were cleaned, and then stratified
at approximately 50C (400 F) for two months. In the first
week of June 1975, these seeds were planted, using a
Nesbit drill, into 3.9 ha (9.6 acres) of previously plowed.
and disked previously cultivated closely related soil types:
Mundelein silt loam (Aquic Argiudoll), Wauconda silt
loam (Udollic Ochraqualf), and Drummer silty clay loam
(Typic Haplaquoll) located within the accelerator ring at
Fermilab. During the first decade of restoration a total of
156 ha (385 acres), (mostly within the accelerator ring)
were planted. Over this time there were a number of
changes made in the methods used for ground cultivation,
for planting, and for species enrichment of the prairie
tracts subsequent to the initial planting (Betz 1986).
During the second decade an additional 239 ha (590
acres) of land were planted. In all, there have been 24
plantings (spring and autumn), bringing the total area to


approximately 405 ha (1000 acres) both in and outside of
the accelerator ring, (Table 1). Forty percent is within the
accelerator ring and 60% outside.
Of the 656 species of vascular plants found at Fermilab,
147 are prairie species, or 22.4% of the total. At present
13 prairie species, such as, Indian paintbrush (Castilleja
coccinea), New Jersey tea (Ceanothus americanus),
eastern prairie fringed orchid (Habenaria leucophaea),
rough white lettuce (Prenanthes aspera), and eared false
foxglove (Tomanthera auricula) have not been found but
eventually will be introduced.
There are 120 wet meadow species, or 18.3% of the total.
At present there are 12 wet meadow species, such as,
sweet flag (Acorus clamus) and marsh shield fern
(Dryopteris thelypteris pubescens), which are not found at
Fermilab but will be added.
The combined number of prairie and wet meadow species
found in the 21 prairie plots varies from 16 in Plot 20,
most recently planted, to 157 in Plot 6, which is relatively
large with a variable topography. However, the richest in