Historical Timeline
Activities in the Nature Study Area
years ago
Tropical Silurian Sea occupies Central United States with extensive coral reefs Age of bedrock
years ago
Glaciers advance through most of Illinois
years ago
Glaciers retreat from area. Lake Chicago occupies area and Beach ridges form
years ago to present
Mother Earth activities continue
Moraine Valley Board of Trustees establishes Nature Study Area
Wildlife tree/shrub perimeter planted
Prairie reconstructed and rehabilitated
Pond establishment. Archaeological studies/site registered
Wetland habitat established
Earth Day 20th anniversary celebration
Nature Study Area rededicated
Wetland habitat established
Sullivan Spring cleanup. G. Jack Bradley Observation Deck constructed
New pier built on pond
Wood duck nest boxes installed in pond
Buckthorn eradication. Trail closures
Additional prairie planting. Second pond established
Nature Study Area rededicated. West parking lot established. Schulenberg inventory of prairie
Observatory added to observation deck. Selected prairie sites rehabilitated
New inventory and assessment of prairie grasses and forbs begins (ongoing, annual inventory)
Prescribed prairie burn. Dragonfly monitoring begins
Prescribed prairie burn. Removal of invasive European Buckthorn
Construction of rain garden. Bur oak tree planted by east entrance. Frog monitoring begins. Honey bee population abundance and diversity study begins. Installation of bird observation and feeding station near Jack Bradley Deck
Removal of invasive European buckthorn. PhragNet research project begins
Other Activities Completed
Scientific analysis of site as to: