| Calumet
Area Feels Winds Of Change
The
Forest Preserve District of Cook County recently acquired
approximately 150 acres of prime wetland, prairie and bur
oak savanna habitat in Burnham Prairie. The Burnham Greenway
corridor has the highest concentration of natural areas
that survive in Cook County. Burnham Prairie harbors over
230 native species including such conservative species as
lead plant, prairie milkweed, stiff aster and white prairie
clover.
The
Chicago Department of Planning and Development’s "Calumet
Area Land Use Plan" is good news for the preservation of
important habitats. Areas like Big Marsh, Deadstick Pond,
Hegewisch Marsh, Heron Pond, and Indian Ridge Marsh are
all slated for Open Space Preservation ("land to be preserved
primarily for habitat"). In addition, Suzanne Malec of the
Chicago Department of Environment has indicated that studies
for a Calumet area hydrologic master plan are under way.
An
Illinois Natural History Survey study, slated to begin in
April, will examine the nesting ecology and contaminant
exposure of Calumet area black-crowned night-herons. Conducted
by Jeff Levengood, this research will include a population
survey of the night-heron colony, monitoring of selected
nests, and collection of fish and other night-heron prey
species for contaminant analysis.
—
Walter Marcisz
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