Home on the Range, the iconic song of the American West, begins with the words, "Oh, give me a home, where the buffalo roam."
Because of The Nature Conservancy’s bison reintroduction project at Nachusa Grasslands, the song has new meaning for Sauk Valley residents, who are all now within a quick car trip of these hairy, horned creatures.
Last month, about 20 bison were shipped to their new home at the Grasslands, northwest of Franklin Grove.
Plans are to enlarge the herd to the neighborhood of 60 to 80 animals. According to The Nature Conservancy’s website, the bison will promote biodiversity on 1,500 acres of restored prairie upon which they will be allowed to graze.
By eating tall grass, stomping on the ground with their hooves, and rooting with their horns, the bison will open the prairie habitat to smaller natural plants, such as prairie flowers, that otherwise would be crowded out.
The greater the diversity of plants, the greater the diversity of other living things, or so the theory goes.
The bison will be pretty much on their own, The Nature Conservancy reported. On one day a year, they’ll be rounded up and given minimal veterinary care. The other 364 days, nature will take its course with the herd.
By next fall, visiting areas will be established where people can come to watch the bison and learn more about them.
Until then, the herd might be visible to motorists driving along South Lowden Road.
The Nature Conservancy has done a remarkable job with the Nachusa Grasslands site, having enlarged it several times in recent years to its present size of 3,100 acres.
Along with providing habitat for numerous plants, animals, reptiles, birds and insects, Nachusa Grasslands teaches 21st-century folks what it must have looked like around here just a couple of centuries ago.
It serves as a clarion call to preserve as much of the region’s flora and fauna as possible for future generations.
The presence of bison could turn out to be an additional reason for visitors to spend time in the Sauk Valley, which would be good for tourism.
The bison reintroduction project is worthy of our collective thanks to all who have planned and supported it. Whether they knew it or not, they’ve given all the region’s residents a home where the buffalo roam. Just keep those fences mended, please, so they don’t roam too far.
