Blue-winged teal land in a flooded sedge meadow. Big bluestem, Indian grass and other native prairie plants wave in the wind. Nearby, a loggerhead shrike perches on a locust tree, scanning the ground for small rodents or other prey. Welcome to the Adelman-Schwartz Mola Prairie/Wetland Preserve in Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie—an ecological oasis only 50 miles from downtown Chicago and the largest prairie restoration effort underway in Illinois today. More than 15,000 acres of prairie, wetlands and other wildlife habitat greet visitors to this unique natural setting.

The Adelman-Schwartz Mola Prairie/Wetland Preserve project was a partnership effort of Ducks Unlimited, the U.S. Forest Service and CorLands, a Chicago-based non-profit organization. Located along the Historic Route 66 National Scenic Byway and immediately across the road from the Midewin Welcome Center, the site contains 60 acres of restored prairie and wetland habitat that serves as a conservation showcase for Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

In 2008, Ducks Unlimited dedicated the Adelman-Schwartz Mola Prairie/Wetland Preserve to Charlotte Adelman and Bernard L. Schwartz, prairie enthusiasts from Wilmette, Ill., and authors of the Prairie Directory of North America.

During a ceremony recognizing conservation partners associated with the project, Ducks Unlimited Regional Biologist Eric Schenck said, "We are very fortunate to have people like Charlotte and Bernard who recognize the beauty and value of native prairies to both wildlife and people. Projects like the Adelman-Schwartz Mola Prairie/Wetland Preserve would not be possible without this kind of support."

For more information about Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, contact the U.S. Forest Service at 30239 South State Route 57, Wilmington, IL 60481, call 815.423.6370 or visit www.fs.fed.us/mntp.