Northeast Chapter Events

RSVP REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT

Join Chicago Ornithological Society and Illinois Native Plant Society, Northeast Chapter for a hike through one of the few county forest preserves entirely in city limits. Experts from both organizations will be on hand to highlight birds and plants that make this site such a popular destination for birders and botanists alike! This preserve can be muddy, so you may want to wear old boots, or preferably rubber knee-highs.

No prior experience with either taxa required! Beginners are welcome and we will have extra binoculars available. Public bathrooms are not available currently; plan accordingly.

Due to COVID safety restrictions, we are limiting this walk to 5 people per leader... YOU MUST RSVP IN ADVANCE! THERE WILL BE NO IN-PERSON SIGN UP! Since we will have such small groups, we ask that you contact Edward or Ingrid at least 24 hours in advance if you cannot attend. 

RSVP here.

If you have any questions contact:
Edward Warden; edwarhzan@gmail.com - Chicago Ornithological Society
Ingrid Felsl; ingridfelsl@gmail.com - IL Native Plant Society

Meet in the Irene Hernandez Picnic Area parking lot off of N Foster Ave.

IMPORTANT:  This event is open to 15 attendees, with preference to current INPS members. Please RSVP here:  https://forms.gle/CWCr6coMEF8yPJq57.

We will start the day at 9am by joining volunteers in restoring Powderhorn Prairie and Marsh Nature Preserve.  We will then break for lunch at 11:45am and resume a tour of the Nature Preserve at 12:15pm, ending around 2pm.

Powderhorn Prairie and Marsh is the only Illinois Nature Preserve in the Chicago city limits.  It is home to about 250 plant species, 2500 species of insects, and 100 species of birds.  Originally once part of the tallgrass prairie-savanna-wetland matrix in the Calumet region, 130 acres of the 192-acre preserve were designated as a Nature Preserve to protect its globally rare dune and swale topography.

A three-year restoration project is set to begin summer 2021 at the preserve.  Crews will connect Powderhorn Lake to the nearby Wolf Lake and Calumet River, lowering water levels at Powderhorn Lake so that it does not flood the adjacent dune and swale habitat.  More information is available here:  https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/powderhorn-lake/
 
Attendees will be expected to follow all current local, state, and CDC protocols to control the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a face covering and maintaining a distance of at least six feet from those not in your household. In the event of hazardous weather, we'll reschedule for Sunday, June 20th.
 
Please dress for the weather and bring water and snacks/lunch.  Kindly contact northeast.inps@gmail.com with questions.  We look forward to seeing you!

RSVP Required

Join Chicago Ornithological Society and Illinois Native Plant Society, Northeast Chapter for a joint journey through one of the largest restored prairies in the county. Experts from both organizations will be on hand to highlight birds and plants that make this site such a popular destination for birders and botanists alike! This preserve can be muddy, so you may want to wear old boots, or preferably rubber knee-highs.

No prior experience with either taxa required! Beginners are welcome and we will have extra binoculars available. Public bathrooms are not available but there is a porta potty on site; plan accordingly.

Due to COVID safety restrictions, we are limiting this walk to 5 people per leader... YOU MUST RSVP IN ADVANCE! THERE WILL BE NO IN-PERSON SIGN UP! Since we will have such small groups, we ask that you contact Edward or Ingrid at least 24 hours in advance if you cannot attend.

There are two hike times available. Please only register for one.

Register for 12pm

Register for 2pm