Fall 2000

This oak savanna is a testament to the resiliency of nature

Lake County, Indiana

Adjacent to Gary, Indiana’s giant U.S. Steel complex lies a testament to the beauty and resiliency of nature in the Chicago area–the Miller Woods, a 75-acre site within the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, comprised primarily of oak savanna. Beautiful black oaks preside over the woods, standing on ridges that separate numerous wetland ponds. In addition to the shadow-casting oaks, at least 287 species of flora and fauna have been identified at Miller Woods, including the Karner blue butterfly, listed as a federally endangered species in December 1992.

The mile-long Miller Woods Trail is ideal for either hiking or, when snow is ample, cross-country skiing. About one-third of the way along the trail’s loop, hikers and skiers will come upon a marsh overlook boardwalk that allows for close examination of the teeming wetland at the woods’ center. Those visitors who are both patient and lucky may spot a rare blue spotted salamander or western chorus frog. Fall visitors to the Miller Woods will see bracken ferns turning gold with the coming of autumn, asters, goldenrod, fringed gentian, sunflowers, grapevines, and Virginia creeper.

Aside from being a place of great natural beauty and ecological diversity, the Miller Woods is also site of one of the more ambitious reclamation endeavors in the Chicago region. Its proximity to industry and resident train tracks made the Woods an attractive place for junk dumpers in the middle 1900s. A year ago visitors would have seen old refrigerators and rusting automobiles among the oaks and ponds. On November 9, 1999, in an operation that had all the planning and orchestration of a military campaign (complete with photo ops for the press corps) and coordinated by the National Park Service, more than 14,000 pounds of refuse were airlifted from the site by helicopter.

For the historically minded, it is relevant to note here that pioneer ecologist Henry Cowles made the Miller Woods his living laboratory almost 100 years ago. At this site and surrounding areas— where distinct stages of plant succession can be observed together with tremendous species diversity—Cowles made important observations that helped lay the foundation for modern ecological science.

Whether you’re a family hiker or ecological historian, the Miller Woods is well worth a day trip. Get there in the morning and take plenty of time to explore the magnificent lakeshore dunes close by. Climbing dunes are located at West Beach near Miller Woods and at Mt. Baldy at the Lakeshore’s northeast end, about 16 miles up US 12. There are more than 15,000 protected acres in the Indiana Dunes area. — Michael Madison

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