May 13-19: Urban Biodiversity Week

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and partners in the Millennium Reserve: Calumet Core region will celebrate National Urban Biodiversity Week on May 13-19 with a variety of conservation activities and outdoors tours in the Calumet Region of Chicago and Cook County.

“One of our goals in developing projects and programs through the Millennium Reserve initiative is to highlight the sometimes-hidden biological diversity of the Lake Calumet area – and Urban Biodiversity Week is an ideal time to focus on some of the natural beauty amid the urban landscape,” said IDNR Director Marc Miller.

Activities during Urban Biodiversity Week in the Calumet Region include tours of Hegewisch Marsh, an urban wetland that provides habitat to a variety of wildlife including threatened and endangered birds; wildlife watching at Powderhorn Prairie and canoeing on Powderhorn Lake; a bird walk at Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland; and, a bi-state bicycle ride around Wolf Lake.

Urban Biodiversity Week will culminate with a Nature Block Party from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Eggers Woods Forest Preserve and its neighbor, William W. Powers State Recreation Area at Wolf Lake. The free, family fun event will include a garlic mustard pull, tree hike, bird hike, biking, fishing, archery, and nature-themed games and art projects. The event is co-organized by the IDNR and Forest Preserve District of Cook County, with partner organizations leading individual events.

For more information on Urban Biodiversity Week and activities planned for the Millennium Reserve: Calumet Core, check the website at http://www.urbanbioweek.illinois.gov