The Shooting Star Prairie, originally called the Bridgeview Court Natural Area (BCNA), is a 12-acre lake plain sight off of Harlem Ave and 79th St. The BCNA sits on a flat glaciolacustrine deposit called the Chicago Lake Plain, which is a lake that receives meltwater from a glacier. This means the prairie consists of poorly drained lake clay, silt, lake sand and gravel. Being categorized as a tallgrass prairie, BCNA is home to over 180 plant species, three uncommon crayfish species, eight rare moth species along with waterfowl, grassland birds, a biodiverse insect population, coyotes, deer and red fox. example of how focused ecological management does work to improve species diversity even when surrounded by commercial land use.
The prairie has previously been monitored from 1999-2010 with management goals of improving wildlife habitat and species diversity and documenting the effort for community understanding & acceptance. This was completed through prescribed burns, annual stewardship, species control, and seeding. As of 2024, The Village of Bridgeview and Township of Lyons have formed a coalition of interested individuals and organizations to assist in the restoration and development of this local historical treasure. Our goal is to make Shooting Star Prairie an accessible nature preserve that hosts educational opportunities, scientific research, and serves as a place where residents can immerse themselves in a our natural environment.
Through multiple scheduled invasive species removals, the Shooting Star Prairie team has successfully decreased the amount of invasive Canadian and Tall Goldenrod and Saw-Toothed Sunflower in the prairie today. We look forward to further restoring the prairie. Follow @township.lyons.news on Instagram for updates on the Shooting Star Prairie and see how you can help!
