On September 19, 2015, Save the Prairie Society (STPS) marked 40 years of stewardship at Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve with a celebration attended by over 200 supporters and volunteers. Attendees looked back on the many stories and accomplishments that come with building a community of committed volunteers for close to half a century.
But perhaps the biggest accomplishment was the seed that started it all in the early 1970s. A motivated teacher, Jack Shouba, and his high school students started this truly grassroots effort by selling plants to purchase the first parcel of land at Wolf Road Prairie. This initial success led Jack and fellow prairie advocates to establish the STPS.
These volunteer advocates are known for their patience, energy and innovation. These attributes have paid off, turning that initial parcel of prairie into an 82-acre Illinios Nature Preserve, now collaboratively managed by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and STPS.
Today, over 20 dedicated STPS volunteers help to take care of this special place by collecting seed, removing invasive species and leading educational tours. The STPS engages hundreds of volunteers on an annual basis—varying from high school and college students to researchers and citizen scientists.
We thank the Save the Prairie Society for their decades of service and for helping to preserve one of Cook County’s natural treasures.