ecology

If you live in the Chicago suburbs and have ever taken a walk on the Fermilab hike-and-bike trail along Batavia Road, you’ve probably noticed large trees with long, slender bean pods, which — even after they fall to the ground — are ignored by wildlife. Not that long ago, mammoths, mastodons and giant ground sloths roamed the Fermilab grounds and feasted on these bean pods, along with the fruit of two additional species that still can be found growing on site.

From Kane County Chronicle, Dec. 16, 2019: The Commission on Excellence in Ecological Restoration has recognized Fermilab with a Chicago Wilderness Excellence in Ecological Restoration Award. The commission was impressed with the lab’s knowledgeable staff, their work and its dedication to helping protect, restore and maintain one of Chicago Wilderness’s significant natural areas.

The Chicago Wilderness Excellence in Ecological Restoration Award is a recognition of Fermilab’s dedication to protect, restore and maintain its natural areas.

From The Beacon-News, June 9, 2019: A recent Sunday afternoon in Batavia gave parents and children the chance to experience animal and plant life as the Fermilab held its 11th annual Family Outdoor Fair. The event included more than a dozen outdoor activities, ranging from viewing the herd of bison that live on the property to scooping up insect and pond creatures and invertebrates with nets.

For the 11th year in a row, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is inviting families, scout troops and other youth groups to attend the Family Outdoor Fair on Sunday, June 9, from 1-4 p.m. The fair takes place outside the Lederman Science Center and highlights the plant and animal life found on the 6,800-acre Fermilab site in Batavia.

Research has shown that the presence of trees and woody vegetation in grasslands can significantly reduce the area occupied by grassland birds. To maximize usable habitat in the Eola grasslands at Fermilab, the first step is to clear the open fields of woody vegetation and trees. FNA received this grant to support the first phase of the project and hire a contractor to remove trees from this area.

From The Beacon-News, Aug. 8, 2018: A group of Aurora area high school students get a chance to learn more about the local environment as they get back to nature at Fermilab’s tall-grass prairie.

From Daily Herald, May 15, 2018: In honor of Arbor Day, Fermilab in Batavia recently held a volunteer workday with the goal of creating a shrub land habitat for rare birds.

Eastern prairie fringed orchids are planted at seven sites throughout its campus, promoting the growth of this rare species.

Dr. Betz was known, at Fermilab, for creating and overseeing the prairie planting project.