The prairie grasses removed as seen on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (Photo courtesy Maja Wojdalski)
What the native prairie outside Buffalo Grove’s north entrance looked like last week. (Photo courtesy Dana Sievertson)
In 2022, an Illinois Native Prairie Garden was planted at the northern entrance of Buffalo Grove High School by the school’s student-run Environmental Club, with native plants donated by the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission (PHRNC). The 2,000 square feet of Illinois prairie grass and pollinators grew in the following years as students walked up and down the path to the school.
However, Township High School Dist. 214 is moving the prairie in accordance with a new landscaping plan for the entrance, with the space said to be planned for bike racks.
Members of the PHRNC have reached out to district administration in the meantime, to work with students to implement whatever changes are necessary to keep the prairie going.
Mature prairies can’t be moved, according to PHNRC volunteer Maja Wojdalski, and a second one would have to be planted.
“The commissioners got the notification that the prairie would be removed in the fall. They said that it was, following the meeting of the regional office for Dist. 214, who apparently issued a citation calling for the prairie to be removed” due to security, safety, rodents and bee sting issues.
“We asked for the citation, just because we thought that maybe something happened, and the prairie could be redesigned or managed difficulty,” Wojdalski said. “The commissioners had been asking for days and nothing happened. Finally, we reached out to our local representative to see if we could get it from the office of education. We were told the regional office of education knew nothing about it and there was no complaint.”
Commissioners later found out through the Dist. 214 Board of Education that there was a complaint from an architect about the potential of rodents and stings at the prairie. When commissioners asked Buffalo Grove Principal Jeff Wardle, they were told that it was to make space for bike racks as part of a new strategic plan for the building’s entrance.
Those involved have expressed frustration at how the decision was made without seeking enough of their input. Students involved researched the site, planned and organized support, presented a detailed proposal, and received enthusiastic approval from the administration.
“The school district never intended to eliminate the prairie grass area on the Buffalo Grove High School campus, only to relocate it. The prairie grasses will be moved from the main entrance to a newly identified, larger area on campus. The relocation was recommended by the district’s architectural partner based on safety and building maintenance considerations due to its proximity to the school,” according to a spokesperson in Dist. 214’s Department of Community Engagement and Outreach.
“In their new location, the prairie grasses will continue to provide a valuable educational and environmental learning experience for students.”
The PHRNC has donated 6,000 plants and $18,000, which was covered out of the commission’s pockets, since they could not use city funds for something outside of Prospect Heights. The garden at Buffalo Grove started as 1,000 square feet, but proved popular enough to be extended by an additional 1,000. The Environmental Club and other student volunteers also worked on it in the summer.
“It is critical to understand this prairie represents more than just native plants — it reflects student leadership, environmental stewardship, and community spirit. Consider the impact on students and teachers who led this project. If your architect of choice is truly a ‘school’ architect, they should understand this and work with all stakeholders to find a way to design and construct the improvements as well as to save this very important educational, ecological, and emotional resource for the entire school community,” said Wendy Dewar.
According to the PHNRC, planting of the prairie goes hand-in-hand with Buffalo Grove High School as its mascot, the bison, called the prairies home.
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