Prairie burning to restore natural habitat
Published in the
Daily Illini
By Kristen Beaumont | Staff writer
Published Monday, May 10, 2004
Bright sunshine fills the cloudless blue sky, a 67-degree temperature gives the April
afternoon a pleasant feel and the slight whisper of wind lingering at the Barnhart Farm
presents ideal conditions for the task at hand. Donald Barnhart gives the final instructions
to the volunteers who are about to witness a prairie burn, a fire that cleanses the prairie
of weeds and allows for more growth of the native plants. (full story..)
Area agencies receive conservation grants
Published in the News Gazette
Published Online Nov 27, 2002
By KATE CLEMENTS
News-Gazette Capitol Bureau Chief
SPRINGFIELD - A nature preserve near Savoy and some rare orchids being threatened by invasive plant
species in Vermilion County are among the beneficiaries of state conservation grants announced Tuesday.
The Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District received $225,100 to
protect an 80-acre tract attached to the Barnhart Prairie Restoration Area from future development. (full story..)
State funds for conservation groups
Published in the News Gazette
Published Online Sep 27, 2001
By KATE CLEMENTS
News-Gazette Capitol Bureau Chief
SPRINGFIELD - Area conservation groups received nearly $500,000 in state grants this week to restore wildlife
habitats and develop educational programs in Champaign, Vermilion and Ford counties.
"With the grants, we are able to complete our diversity of outdoor classroom
sites for the long-term accomplishment of our goals for conservation education and increasing native
habitat for species of insects, wildlife and plants," said Leon Wendte, district conservationist
for the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District. (full story..)
Resurrecting the Illinois prairie
Published in the News Gazette
Published Online Apr 2, 2000
By ANNE COOK
News-Gazette Staff Writer
URBANA - Henry Barnhart died in January leaving a rich legacy - his children, his contributions to the
community and a patch of prairie at his farm southeast of Urbana.
The Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District plans to expand the existing
prairie patch - 23 acres carefully restored by Barnhart's son, Donald - into an 80-acre landmark where
people can go to see what the Illinois countryside looked like before settlers tamed it. (full story..)
