Bison viewing planned for Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

WILMINGTON, Ill. (AP) - Visitors are invited to a special event that will include closer-than-normal viewing of a bison herd that has been established on a tallgrass prairie south of Chicago.

The U.S. Forest Service plans to provide free shuttle buses from the neighboring communities of Elwood and Wilmington on Saturday for the bison viewing event.

Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie staff and trained volunteers will answer questions about the bison at the Iron Bridge Trailhead.

The bison arrived in October as part of a 20-year experiment to restore Midewin to its native landscape, which once abounded with bison and prairie plants. Park officials hope the bison eat the grasses and that other, struggling plants can grow, helping to attract a more diverse population of birds and insects.

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Online: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/midewin/home