Beginning in Fall of 2021, MAPS members visited the prairie singly and in photo outings during all four seasons to capture the diversity and beauty of this unique ecosystem. As longtime supporters of the Schulenberg Prairie, Joe Lunn, the Vice President of MAPS and his wife Susan, proposed the 60th anniversary exhibit to The Morton Arboretum, the Education Department, Sterling Morton Library and the exhibit team.
Fifty photographs were matted and displayed, and 75 fine art images were shown digitally in Sterling Morton Library. Additional photographs were submitted by Library Director, Rita Hassert, to provide an historical perspective of the 60 year history of the prairie’s innovative and groundbreaking history.
In 1962, Clarence Godshalk asked Ray Schulenberg to create a native prairie planting on a fallow piece of Arboretum farmland. For 60 years, Morton Arboretum staff and trained volunteers have nurtured this land to return it to Tallgrass Prairie. The Schulenberg Prairie has been recognized as one of the first such restorations in the United States. Our MAPS exhibit, “Seasons of the Schulenberg” celebrates this achievement and the ongoing work of The Morton Arboretum.
CLICK ON ANY IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW THE EXHIBIT.
Most seed and native plants for the prairie came from within 50 miles of The Morton Arboretum.Plants were grown from seed in the greenhouse, or seeds were broadcast by hand into the prairie.In 1963, Schulenberg and others planted 20,000 plant plugs. In 1964, they planted 64,000.Alan Gornik: AdventureChris Foley: The Old Bridge #2Sylvia Ortega Martinez: Benefits for the PrairieSylvia Ortega Martinez: MisteryDan Schumacher: The PollinatorKim Stines: Candlelight DanceDave Jagodzinski: Schulenberg SavannahSheri Bane: Shadows Among the LeavesLawrence Golla: Little FlowersBarb Wendel: LaunchedKathleen Leisten: Prairie Dew DropsDarcy Berg: Prairie DockBarb Wendel: OpportunisticSchulenberg weeding the prairie with a summer worker.Lawrence Golla: LaceSchulenberg holding Big Blue Stem GrassJan Ivaska: On the PrairieSheri Bane: Plenty of PollinatorsKate Lehman: Butterfly Weed in All its GloryJim Rendant: Call of the WildSchulenberg teaching on the prairie.Dave Jagodzinski: Prairie TourAnne Frantzen: Summer 1Dulcey Lima: Prairie Dock PortraitLinda Haynes: Light WithinJoe Lunn: Prairie PondVida Gilvydis: Eastern Tiger SwallowtailLawrence Golla: Purple RainLinda Haynes: AbundanceCheryl Rausch: Prairie Flowers 1Sherry Snyder: Prairie DockPaul Streu: Snacktime for the BeetleKevin Haynes: A Brief RestCheryl Rausch: Prairie Flowers 2Kevin Haynes: SunningSherry Snyder: Prairie PathMary Mehl: Prairie GrassesKen Wickham: Prairie DaisyAnne Frantzen: Summer 2Kevin Haynes: Approach for LandingLinda Haynes: Blue Stem SkyJan Ivaska: Blowing in the BreezePaul Streu: Thistle in the SunKate Lehman: Pal Indian PlantainAnne Frantzen: FallJoan Kalmanek: Autumn PaletteChris Foley: Prairie RoadJack Kreger: BloodleafDulcey Lima: Painted Asclepias syriaca SeedpodsJoe Lunn: A Bundle of BeautyChris Foley: The Old Bridge #1Mary Mehl: BzzzzzzKim Stines: Sun KissPaul Streu: Summer DeclineDan Schumacher: RevelryJoan Kalmanek: Standing TallJoan Kalmanek: Purple and GoldJoe Lunn: The Bridge to FallAlan Gornik: Welcome!Paul Streu: Winter BridgeDan Schumacher: Winter Morning ChillKen Wickham: Winter GrassAlan Gornik: TrappedJack Kreger: Will Winter Never End?Sylvia Ortega Martinez: FearlessDarcy Berg: Fire on the PrairieDarcy Berg: Fire in the WoodsSylvia Ortega Martinez: Walking in the Discomfort ZoneSylvia Ortega Martinez: After the FireSheri Bane: Hidden HeronJack Kreger: (Eastern) Shooting StarsWilliam Miotek: Emerald GlowHart Kannegiesser: Prairie AnemoneBarb Wendel: SpanKate Lehman: Sweet SnackDavid Jagodzinski: Schulenberg Prairie VistaLawrence Golla: Mellow YellowDave Jagodzinski: Smooth SumacDan Schumacher: Devil in the Red CityKim Stines: Bee MineDan Schumacher: FantasiaDulcey Lima: Bur Oaks in Summer with CloudsKate Lehman: Tiny Prairie DancerDulcey Lima: Bees on Purple Prairie CloverBarb Wendel: SpaceCheryl Rausch: Purple ConeflowerLinda Haynes: DocketDave Jagodzinski: Turk’s-Cap LilyKevin Haynes: Clover FeastSheri Bane: Colorful ViewHart Kannegiesser: Prairie LilyDulcey Lima: Mid-Summer SplendorJan Ivaska: Bundleflower on the PrairieJim Rendant: Hummingbird Moth Enjoying DinnerLinda Haynes: Cup Cup CupCheryl Rausch: Queen of the PrairieFrancesca Antonaci: Blazing Star MonarchJack Kreger: Passage to the PrairieJim Rendant: Dance of the DragonflyFrancesca Antonaci: Prairie PortalKen Wickham: Prairie MorningFrancesca Antonaci: Prairie Dock Gazing at the SunFrancesca Antonaci: Hidden Prairie NookSheri Bane: Reach for the SkyWilliam Miotek: Clearing StormJack Kreger: Carpet of DaisiesAlan Gornik: SurroundVida Gilvydis: MonarchJan Ivaska: Flowing Through the PrairieKathleen Leisten: Early Morning LightJoan Kalmanek: Bloom and Post BloomJan Ivaska: Surreal on the SchulenbergKathleen Leisten: Fall Color at the PrairieKevin Haynes: Colorful SplendorLawrence Golla: MilkweedBarb Wendel: WhomAlan Gornik: Cool SeasonJoe Lunn: Reaching for the SkyJoe Lunn: A Study in TexturePaul Streu: Leaf on Yellow DaisiesVida Gilvydis: Dare to be DifferentMary Mehl: Bridge Over Prairie Waters