Illinois: Dunes designated as Natural Areas Inventory site

Parks & Recreation, March, 2006 by Melissa Lothrop

The Montrose Beach Dunes in the Chicago Park District was recently honored by being named as an Illinois Natural Areas Inventory site. This designation provides increased protection of the area, as well as allows for restoration. This is the first Chicago Park District site to be awarded with this designation.

"This honor is an exciting recognition of the growth and success of the Chicago Park District's Natural Areas Program," said Timothy J. Mitchell, the general superintendent of the Chicago Park District. "Montrose Beach Dunes is an inspiring example of a beautiful, healthy slice of nature in the urban landscape."

The site is located at the city's largest beach, Montrose Beach, where the dunes contain several naturally occurring plant species and migrating birds. Even though the park district has been working hard to restore the dunes to their natural state, these characteristics are becoming threatened or endangered.

The goal of the restoration is to en courage the growth of native grasses, sedges, rushes and forbs adapted to beach, dunes and swales that are increasingly colonizing the area and to monitor threatened and endangered plants for the Chicago Botanic Garden's Plants of Concern Program. Volunteers have contributed countless hours by performing restoration management activities, monitoring plants and leading educational programs at the dune habitat.

Volunteer Site Steward Leslie Borns said, "[Environmentalists are] thrilled that the Chicago Park District and Mayor Richard M. Daley remain strongly committed to protecting our natural heritage and fostering biodiversity in this great city."

Melissa Lothrop, CPRP