The Prairie State

In 2001, a group of community residents, now The Hank Gianvecchio Natural Habitat Area Foundation, approached Bloomingdale Township with a concern about over development. Though financial constraints prevented the Township from taking immediate action, the idea took root. Eventually the Township was able to set aside some undeveloped land as a permanent open space and the Natural Habitat Area was born.

The concept was to restore the area to what it looked like when settlers first came to what is now Bloomingdale Township. The 3.5 acre habitat is now home to savannah, mesic prairie and wet prairie. Five series of trees, 5 species of shrubs, 25 species of flowering forbes and 14 types of grasses have been added. The result brings you back to the wild, rustic, natural beauty of Illinois in the 1700s.