About

Monk's Flags

A few years ago I was driving north on Illinois Route 45 and passed through Savoy. As I passed through on my way to the adjoining town of Champaign I began to see hundreds of small flags along the right side of the highway. They appeared to be in a very random pattern and as I traveled further I saw the source of the flags. A distinguished bearded gentleman holding a large bundle of the red flags was stooping over placing the flags in particular areas. I pulled over and watched. As he proceeded he studiously observed the ground with each step and then placed a flag at various points and moved to the next spot. What was he seeing that I didn’t see? What could be the source of such fascination along this shoulder of highway that appeared to be like any other in south eastern Illinois? What could be worth identifying with such care in such abundance at such effort? I considered walking over to him and asking these very questions but decided that he was so absorbed in his activity that to do so would interrupt this serious task of flag placement. I moved on.
It wasn’t long after this that to my surprise I met this gentleman again. I don’t remember where as my first sight of him had been so unique that it seems to crowd out other memories. At this meeting I learned a little more. After a few small trivial greetings and questions I had to ask, “What were the flags for?” I then learned that the stretch of highway I had seem him on was being widened and in an effort of great passion David Monk, the Prairie Monk, had gone out to mark all the prairie plants that would be destroyed by the construction. What little prairie has survived in this “land of prairie” was what he was attempting to save.

I have since learned much more about David Monk and my appreciation of this Australian transplant who has become a totem for Illinois environmentalism and heritage and the need to educate others about it has shown me that what is in my own community backyard has historical value and is worth saving. I tip my hat to the Prairie Monk.

C. Tucker

arTotems Co.

Monk's Vision

This site is a small window into Monk's world. Its a world populated with people from all walks of life and deep complex visions of how these people fit in their environment and within their space on the continuum of past, present, and future. In some ways his mission is to assist his fellow travelers in finding their own place on this ongoing path of time. It's a place where they can find their natural and cultural history and what their contribution can be to add to it. Join the Prairie Monk by giving something to assist him in this very important mission.

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