- Sept. 5, 2018, 4:00 pm US/Central
- Cindy Crosby, Writer
- Georgia Schwender/Chris Stoughton
- Video
Illinois’ landscape of home—the tallgrass prairie—has been viewed by people over time in many different ways. Historically, Native Americans saw prairie as grocery store, pharmacy, and a resource for everything from love charms to ceremonial treasures. Some early explorers saw it as a desolate, lonely place. Many early settlers saw prairie as a place to be conquered. Artists, musicians, photographers and other creatives see the prairie as a place for inspiration. Developers may see it as a potential resource. Many of today’s researchers, site managers, and stewards view the tallgrass prairie as a place whose past holds keys to understanding our future. Listen to stories of how the tallgrass prairie has been viewed by people over time, as you reflect on how you and others “see” prairie today.