Unique prairie needs to be protected

Bell Bowl Prairie is a pristine native prairie on land owned by the Greater Rockford Airport Authority. The airport's plan to build a road over the prairie has been on hold until March 1 due to the discovery on the prairie of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, a federally endangered species suffering severe declines due to habitat loss.

The airport's plan is to plow over the prairie to build an airport road. There is an alternative offered by the Natural Land Institute (NLI) that proposes the airport road be built around rather than through the prairie. The land is available, and the money is there to make this happen. It is a compromise that will protect a unique native prairie in a state known as the Prairie State. To date, the authorities from the Greater Rockford Airport Authority have refused to engage with the Natural Land Institute.

The institute has been a guardian of this pristine native acreage since the 1960s. This prairie supports unique flora and fauna and offers natural habitats for migratory birds as well as for insects and pollinators.

Less than one-hundredth of 1% of our native prairie landscape is left, and Illinois cannot afford to lose this treasure. Habitat loss is contributing to a frightful and dramatic loss of species that affect our whole ecosystem.

Preservation of this prairie will enhance the image of the Greater Rockford Airport and support the idea of a livable and inviting Rockford area community. It is the right thing to do to protect and preserve our natural and native habitats. There is no second chance when these treasures are destroyed. We need to preserve the prairie for the future of multiple species' survival.

Laura Davis

Inverness