Starting in 1984, Rulseh worked with State and Federal agencies and local groups to get good information about the nature of the site and the potential for a 10-acre prairie restoration. The site was plowed and left fallow to deplete any residual herbicides; it was plowed again to freeze out the weeds over the winter. The Illinois Department of Conservation (DOC) and the McHenry Co. Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) prepared a prairie restoration plan for the site. It was planted in June 1986 with seeds from five sources in Illinois and Wisconsin. Most seed was purchased and some was donated by the DOC and SWCD. Grasses were planted with a broadcast spreader at 12.5 lbs/acre--switch grass, Indian grass, little bluestem, big bluestem, side oats and Canadian wild rye. Forbs were hand sown at a rate of 2 lbs/acre, from a purchased mix of 50-60 species. In retrospect, more of the costly forb mix should have been used, perhaps 6-8 lbs./acre. Total planting cost was $3,600 with the use of about 90% native plants; a "purist" approach would have been closer to $10,000.
Site maintenance also began in 1986, with the hand removal of bull thistles and other non-natives and an August mowing for weed control. Another mowing for weeds was necessary in 1987. Permitted controlled burns began in the third season, with the supervision of the local fire department. Modine employees provide the labor for the project and have gotten interested in Illinois's native landscapes. There was starting to be interest from the public in access to the interesting site. Additional species (34) were spot planted in 1988 and about 100 additional plants were put in during 1989, traded from another local restoration site. Burning continues about every other year. An additional 4 acres was planted in prairie in 1990 at a cost of $650/acre; establishment was slowed by hot, dry weather.
Modine employees began manual prairie seed collection in 1989 and have since provided seeds to the SWCD for use at about 10 other restoration sites. Also in 1989 hawthorn and buckthorn removal begun in the wooded area next to the prairie to restore the oak savannah, with more major work in 1993.
A number of lessons were learned from the Modine Prairie. One person and one organization can make a difference in conservation. While native landscaping is not yet "mainstream" those who are involved are passionate and helpful to others . Don't expect quick results, but be persistent. If you plant for wildlife it comes--the site is rich in birds, pheasants, fox and deer. Modine has been able to share its conservation site with its employees and with the community.