Illinois is known as the “Prairie State”, and at one time, over 60 percent of the state was covered with prairie. Of those 22 million acres, less than on tenth of one percent remains. With help from Wildlife Forever, 40 acres of tallgrass prairie have been restored in Jasper County, Illinois. The prairie restoration has provided critical habitat for many grassland wildlife species, including 22 state-listed Species of Concern such as the prairie chicken, upland sandpiper, short-eared owl, northern harrier, and Henslow’s sparrow. In addition, a wetland was constructed to provide habitat for man species of shorebirds and waterfowl. The project is managed as an integral part of the nearby Prairie Ridge State Natural Area and was a cooperative effort between Wildlife Forever, the Illinois Audubon Society, and the Embarrass River Tourism Council.