Recap of: Bicycling with Butterflies, Sunday, Sept 27, 1:30 – 4:00 pm

By Connie Schmidt,

On Sunday, September 27, a new tradition began. The DuPage Monarch Project, partnered with Go Green Glen Ellyn and The Illinois Prairie Path for a guided bike ride titled “Bicycling with Butterflies”.

After meeting in Glen Ellyn near the computer parking lot and hearing about the linear prairie plantings in Montclair Park, the group traveled about three miles west. They stopped at 3 different natural areas with designated speakers present to share their history and a bit about the plants found there. The destination was Volunteer Park in Wheaton, the epicenter of the Rail Trail that once was home to the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin electric train line. 

Wendy Vernon from the River Prairie Group and Ken McClurg from the Illinois Prairie Path Association presented the iconic volunteer history of the establishment of the IPP. On the way back the group saw a bit of remnant tracks from the original Chicago, Aurora and Elgin Line, and stopped at several areas with commentary by Jeremy Farrar of the DuPage Monarch Project on the importance of some of the distinct plants of the prairie. 

The Glen Ellyn Library event sent staff out to greet us and describe the process of the prairie creation along their border with the path. It was a wonderful day to buzz about in DuPage!