Fermilab Celebrates Prairie Anniversary and Pioneer Birthday

On January 15, about 50 people packed into a small conference room at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia to celebrate two special occasions: the 30th anniversary of the inception of Fermilab's internationally renowned Prairie Restoration Project and the 80th birthday of its equally prominent founder, Dr. Robert Betz.

In addition to Fermilab director Michael Witherell and his associates, among the guests who surprised Dr. Betz were members of the grounds crew, with whom Betz has worked closely to bring his prairie vision to reality.

"That's what got me, when the ground crews came in," says Betz. "I taught them the prairie, about the role of fire and the Latin names of the plants. They are the ones who will carry on the culture."

Thirty years ago, Betz saw the need for prairie restoration on a "grand scale," in order to preserve genetic material. Today, at 1,100 acres, Fermilab's pride is among the largest prairie restorations in the nation. Quite an accomplishment for a boy who grew up in Chicago's rugged Bridgeport neighborhood, collecting specimens of ragweed and playing in vacant lots he thought of as prairies.

Betz, who helped develop the concept of species succession, recognizes that the prairie is a work in progress. "I'm patient," says Betz. "I know my prairie and I know it's going forward."

— Rebecca Grill