Chicago-Rockford Intl. Airport expansion threatens ancient and rare Illinois prairie

Bell Bowl Prairie is home to diverse plants and wildlife, including the endangered rusty patched bumblebee.

Rusty-Patched BumblebeeMidwest Region from United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Illinois may be known as the Prairie State, but its prairie has shrunk vastly over the years. Once upon a time, 22 million acres of grasslands spread across the state. Today only 2,500 acres remain. Only 18 of those acres contain the rarest grassland type of all; dry gravel prairie.

Hidden in Rockford's south side is an ancient piece of land called Bell Bowl Prairie. It is five acres of the rare, dry gravel prairie surrounded by the Chicago-Rockford International Airport. The prairie is home to diverse wildlife and plant species, including the rusty patched bumblebee.

A recent article from National Geographic details the plight of Illinois' endangered rusty patched bumblebee and the threat on the dry gravel prairie.

A tweet from National Geographic stated, "Only 18 high-quality acres remain of Illinois' endangered dry gravel prairie. Now, Chicago-Rockford International Airport plans to destroy Bell Bowl Prairie, which contains five acres of this precious biome, as part of a planned expansion."

What's so special about Bell Bowl Prairie?

Bell Bowl Prairie is a rare bit of land formed by glaciers that has remained untouched over many years. Due to its steep, carved-out shape, it was difficult to farm and was consequently left alone. Bell Bowl is a small representation of what the settlers saw when they made their way across the country. It's home to nearly 150 plant species and supports a variety of birds and insects.

Paul Marcum, a botanist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, told National Geographic, "These remnant sites are the most important things in Illinois."

Bell Bowl Prairiecassi saari, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Previously, the airport worked to preserve the prairie

In 1977, the Board of Commissioners of the Greater Rockford Airport Authority stated it, “shall make every effort possible” to preserve Bell Bowl Prairie so long as it “shall not interfere with the necessary operation of the Airport.”

But now, the Chicago-Rockford Airport has been named the fastest-growing cargo airport in the world. Plans to expand the airport would destroy all or at least part of the prairie.

Construction currently halted

Airport construction stopped temporarily when a Department of Natural Resources biologist spotted the endangered rusty patched bumblebee in Bell Bowl.

However, the bee may not be enough to save the prairie. Although listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, it does not have a designated critical habitat. Meaning its habitat may not be protected from being destroyed.

Save the prairie

If you would like to join conservation efforts to redesign (not stop) the Chicago Rockford Airport expansion to preserve the prairie, you can head to the Illinois Environmental Council website to send a letter to your elected officials.

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