DeKalb Community Prairie Restoration
NIU will be converting approximately 40 acres of the area known as the “North 40” to native prairie. This is campus community collaboration to create a nature reserve on campus, and in the heart of DeKalb. It aligns with our campus and the city’s sustainability goals of restoring more natural habitats.
This is a community-centered space, welcoming all community members to enjoy trails, interpretive signage, and hands-on activities. Access to green space provides excellent opportunities to foster environmental stewardship, strengthen physical and mental health, improve watershed, supports pollinators, and act as a living classroom for all. This prairie restoration space will set DeKalb as a regional leader in conservation and sustainability by having the largest urban nature reserve in this area of the state.
This project will be located on a parcels of land commonly known as the “North 40.” Currently this land is used by NIU Marching Band and NIU Cross Country, as well as local residents for recreation. This roughly 50-acres of land also includes two small plots of land owned by the DeKalb Park District, which will be utilized by this project and act as a public access point.
Yes! There will be ample walking trails, space that remains turf grass for various activities like flying kites or events, and more. As a public university, members of the public are always welcome on campus.
Yes. All trees will remain in place, with the possible exception of two diseased spruce trees at the entrance to the North 40 off Fairmont Drive.
NIU is working with a professional ecological restoration company to prepare the site, seed the prairie, and manage the restoration project for three years. The start date for the project is Oct. 6, 2026.
Site design
The site design has been determined in collaboration with community advisors, the restoration contractor and NIU stakeholders (e.g. Athletics, Grounds, and marching band). The prairie will take up approximately 40 acres of the total North 40.
Site preparation
Site preparation will occur in Oct. 2026. Current industry standards recommend the use of the herbicide glyphosate to kill the turfgrass in the areas that will be seeded over winter 2026/2027. Using herbicide, as opposed to mechanical tilling, results in the fewest weeds long term and the strongest establishment of prairie plants. Glyphosate is the least harmful of the herbicide options, but we do still recommend keeping off sprayed areas for 24-48 hours. Local residents have received notice of the site preparation plans, and signage has been posted around the perimeter of the prairie. The team will be monitoring weather conditions, including low wind, to minimize any potential drift.
Seeding
A seed mix that contains a mixture of native prairie grasses and flower plants has been selected. Seeds will be spread by machine during the winter of 2026/2027. Native prairie plants develop their roots systems before they develop their above ground biomass, so they are often quite small in the first year. In 2027, mostly annuals and cover crops are expected, with some native perennials growing as well. In 2028, there will be more of the native perennials and fewer of the annuals and cover crops, but native plants still may not bloom yet. In 2029, native plants begin to produce colorful flowers.
Mowing
The prairie will be mowed to a height of 12-18” in the first year to reduce any weeds from going to seed. In subsequent years, the prairie will be mowed annually to approximately 12”. The prairie and the turf grass buffer and trails will be mowed on a regular schedule by the NIU Grounds crew.
The initial phase of restoring a prairie takes 3-5 years. There is a common saying “sleep, creep, leap” as it explains the first 3-5 years of a prairie. Initial progress is slow but by years 3-5, a prairie restoration will take full shape.
Prairies consist of grasses, sedges, rushes, and a variety of wildflowers. Most of these plants are perennial, meaning they will continue to grow every year. Prairies are also vital homes to many different species of wildlife, including small mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, bats, and more. Many prairie plant species are used as host plants. These host plants serve as the primary plant for feeding and reproduction for wildlife. One such example is milkweed and monarch butterflies. Without milkweed, monarchs cannot survive.
Wildlife
One important benefit of prairie restoration is that it creates habitat for grassland birds, helping their populations to recover and keeping our ecosystems healthy. Pollinators are especially important to agriculture in Illinois, as more than a third of our food crops rely on them for production. As the prairie is established and begins to flourish, you will experience a range of wildlife as you walk through the prairie. Learn more about Illinois wildlife and their habitats.
Pollinators
In this prairie, there will be an increase in beneficial pollinators and related insects. Most species that utilize prairies are “prairie specialists,” meaning they require prairie habitat for survival. One example is the monarch butterfly, which depends on milkweed to lay eggs and to provide food for the caterpillars. Bumble bees are another example. Queens must overwinter by burrowing beneath prairie grasses like little bluestem and prairie switchgrass. Without these plants, the queen will die, leading to further declines in native bumble bee populations nationwide. Learn more about prairie pollinators.
Birds
An increase in native bird populations is expected as the prairie is established. These birds will be a variety of prairie-specific species, as well as migratory birds that may not call northern Illinois their full-time home. Birds aid in pollination and help control insect and small mammal populations. The Nachusa grasslands website lists bird species found at the Nachusa grasslands, a large prairie reserve west of DeKalb. If conditions are right, these same species may one day return to the prairie.
Also expected is a decrease in geese in the North 40 due to the prairie grass since geese prefer open spaces to flock. Once the prairie is established, the geese will either look for other turfgrass areas or stick to the seven acres of turfgrass remaining on the southwest corner of the North 40.
Ticks
It is reasonable to expect an increase in ticks in the prairie itself; however, there are precautions one can take to prevent contact. Ticks are ambush predators, meaning they sit and wait for the opportunity to latch onto an animal and typically choose the tall grasses of the prairie, over the short turfgrass trails. The mowed buffer will also deter transmission of ticks into yards. To avoid ticks, it is advisable to stick to turfgrass trails during walks. Routine tick checks are encouraged after spending time in the prairie, much like one would do when recreating anywhere outside.
Small Mammals
Small mammals that live in prairies, such as mice and voles, are prairie specialists and are not well adapted to urban environments. So, while the prairie will likely be home to small mammals such as deer mice or voles, these species require thick vegetation to survive and would be very unlikely to enter backyards with lawns. They may, in fact, outcompete the more common house mice species that commonly enter homes in urban areas. The mowed grass buffer will act as an additional deterrent, and any additional precautions regarding small mammals should not be necessary.
Large Mammals
Large mammals, such as coyotes, raccoons, and foxes already use the North 40 as a pass-through location. Many of these larger mammals require very large habitat ranges, much more than the 40-acres that will be the prairie. For example, coyotes need at least two square miles, which is about 1,280 acres. They also prefer to use a variety of habitat types, meaning they likely wouldn't establish the prairie as their primary home. Overall, the large mammals that already use this space will likely continue to use it. The 40-acres we have will not be able to support a significant increase in large mammal populations, as it is not large enough.
While there are no direct impacts, an urban prairie such as this provides many benefits for its neighbors. One such benefit is potential flood mitigation. The area being restored is in a flood zone and prairies act as a sponge with their incredibly deep root system. This could have a positive impact on the prairie’s neighbors, as the prairie may act as a barrier and reduce flooding. There are also many physical and mental health benefits for living and interacting with green spaces.
The trails will be maintained as mowed turfgrass. They will include a series of wider trails that follow the NIU Cross Country team course and narrower connecting trails for walking. At each entrance, users will be directed to the established trails and away from the buffer. The exact design of the trail system will be established by late summer 2027.
NIU parking is free after 4:30pm on weekdays and during weekends. This allows for easy access beyond traditional working hours. There is also free access from the neighborhoods using the entrances from First Street, Garden Road and Fairmont Drive. The DeKalb Park District river trail runs adjacent to the prairie along the southern border.
This project is being overseen by an advisory board from different organizations in DeKalb, NIU departments, and community members at large. NIU Campus Sustainability, Office of the President, is the main contact on the project but they heavily rely on their partners.
The Community Advisory Committee that includes members from the following organizations: