6 Restored and Rehabilitated Chicago Suburban Forest Preserves for Earth Day

 

Restoring and rehabilitating our natural habitats creates a more sustainable world supporting the Earth's diversity of flora and fauna. A purpose for everything and everything has a purpose. To maintain the vitality of our Earth, we must work to protect our environment. Over the years, I have visited quite a few rehabilitated sites and there are some fantastic ones for you to visit on Earth Day or any day. In celebration of Earth Day, I am sharing six incredible rehabilitated Chicago suburban forest preserves for you to appreciate:

1. Lincoln Marsh Natural Area in Wheaton, Illinois: Lincoln Marsh once was a dumping ground until concerned citizens began restoring native habitats. In fact, some of the items recovered to work on restoration were cars! Today, visitors can enjoy woodlands, wetlands, and prairie full of flora and fauna. During our hike, we paused to watch an egret fish. What an amazing moment!

Hiking on the boardwalk through the wetlands of Lincoln Marsh.

2. Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve in Plainfield: Lake Renwick is actually a manmade lake resulting from sand and gravel quarrying. The preserve is now a renowned rookery for waterfowl including herons and egrets. During our visit, we were amazed by the number and variety of birds that call Lake Renwick home. Truly a far cry from the preserve's past as a quarry!

3. Meacham Grove Nature Preserve in Bloomingdale: Meacham Grove once was a construction pit. Today, nature lovers can enjoy a lake, hill, creek, and more. Part of the preserve is designated as an Illinois Nature Preserve. We visited in the winter and found the snow-covered preserve magical.

Oaks frame the rolling landscape of Bluff Spring Fen.

4.  Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin: This tranquil Elgin preserve was once a dumping ground bordering on areas of industrial activity. After the site's rehabilitation, hikers can admire the interesting glacially crafted landscape including gravel hills called kames. A fen itself is unique and fed by a mineral-rich, natural spring. Bluff Spring Fen is also a designated Illinois Nature Preserve.

5. Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary in Dundee: Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary is yet another former gravel quarry that has been restored into an incredible natural space full of wildlife! Our mid-spring visit dazzled us with an amazing range of birds including one of my favorites -- the killdeer. We enjoyed the trails that were slightly rolling in spots.

6.The Hollows Conservation Area in Cary The Hollows once was a quarry for clay, silt, and gravel. Today, visitors can enjoy beautiful Lake Atwood and rolling trails through woodlands and wetlands. The preserve is noted for an amazing array of wetland and woodland flowers and plant species. Truly a remarkable comeback!

There are many, many additional fantastic natural spaces to discover in the Chicago area. On this Earth Day, let us not only appreciate the creations of nature but all of those that have worked to protect our environment. Take some time outside, pause, and just be.