“Did the bison ever graze this far east?” a young boy wondered aloud, staring across the Orland Grassland. His father smiled, kneeling beside him. “It’s hard to imagine now, isn’t it? But long before these trails and fences, the Orland Grassland was part of a vast prairie, a sea of grass that stretched as far as the eye could see.” The Orland Grassland, once a forgotten piece of the prairie, is now a testament to the power of restoration. The boy’s question hints at the grassland’s lost history, a time when bison may indeed have roamed this Illinois landscape. Today, the grassland is carefully managed by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. The District has worked tirelessly to bring back native plants and animals. You can almost feel the whispers of the past carried on the wind. Imagine the rustling of the prairie grasses under the hooves of bison. Imagine the hawks soaring overhead, searching for prey. While the exact extent of the historic bison range is debated, the Orland Grassland offers a glimpse into what this land once was. Visitors can walk along the trails, breathe in the fresh air, and appreciate the beauty of this restored ecosystem. The work continues, but the Orland Grassland stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us that even fragmented landscapes can be brought back to life.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one