An option for prairie

Bell Bowl Prairie is a pristine native prairie on land owned by the Greater Rockford Airport Authority. The airport has plans to plow over this prairie in order to build an airport road, but were delayed due to the discovery of the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, a federally recognized endangered species.

There is an alternative offered by the Natural Land Institute (NLI) that proposes the airport road be built around rather than through the prairie. It is a compromise that will protect a unique native prairie in a state known as the Prairie State. Additionally with this solution, Greater Rockford Airport Authority can be recognized as being a good neighbor to the community members who have fought to preserve this native acreage going back to the 1960s.

Illinois has less than 1/100th of 1% of our native prairie landscape left. The loss of natural areas has impacts on flora and fauna, overall biodiversity, water management, and even human physical and mental health. The loss of natural habitat is driving huge losses in species overall. Migrating birds need places to rest and nest. Pollinators need plants to gather nutrition from and pollinate and Rusty Patched Bumble Bees need undisturbed land in order to hibernate.

The discovery of an endangered species indicates the great vibrancy of this prairie and something worth saving. The airport authority will benefit from preserving part of Illinois' heritage and be recognized as good stewards of conservation.

We can all benefit from the preservation of this pristine prairie and all the life that it supports, now and in the future.

Laura Davis

Inverness