Visionary leaders a century ago realized how important it was to set aside natural, Message from the open space to be enjoyed by everyone. Though our county has grown into one of the densest urban areas in the country, we are never more than a short trip away from President nature. We are benefactors of what has grown into 69,000 acres of land containing some of the most diverse plant and wildlife species in North America.

I have spent a lot time over the years learning about the prairies, wetlands, savannas and forest habitats that surround us. Each time I enjoy an activity with my grandchildren surrounded by nature, it is clear we have a responsibility not to squander this rich inheritance, especially for future generations.

The Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan was created to guide our restoration efforts into the next century. This document provides an assessment of the preserves and the framework needed to implement our ambitious goals of restoring 30,000 acres of land in 25 years.

I want to thank the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois for developing this comprehensive plan in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County. PRI is a leading organization with researchers from multiple disciplines who work to promote natural and cultural resource sustainability. Their skills and perspective have helped us realize these first steps and I look forward to our ongoing partnership.

Toni Preckwinkle

President, Forest Preserves of Cook County

The Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan is an invaluable tool that will help steer Message from the the Forest Preserves of Cook County into a new era. We have a history of trend setting, being the first ever forest preserve district in the United States as well as the largest, but General Superintendent we must also lead the way in preservation—one of our main tenets.

The Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan offers a long range restoration plan on how to bring varying levels of developed and degraded land into higher states of ecological health. It is crucial that we maintain native habitats and their fragile species, many which are of conservation concern. Also accounted for are the cultural aspects of the preserves and their archaeological significance; a history dating back to Native Americans and European settlers. But the plan also looks to the future, outlining a strategy on land acquisition.

The Prairie Research Institute spent more than a year along with our staff gathering information in the field, and sifting through thousands of historical records and documents. Meticulous research and analysis was coupled with interactions with our volunteer network to set a course that can meet the goals outlined in our Next Century Conservation Plan. I thank the Prairie Research Institute staff for their work and collaboration. The restoration of our precious natural resource is paramount not only from a conservation perspective, but to provide quality of life for our region.

Arnold Randall

General Superintendent, Forest Preserves of Cook County his Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan for Tthe Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC) focuses on conserving natural and cultural resources in concert with each other, and on both the people who are doing that work and those who benefit from it. Effective conservation requires understanding those resources; understanding the “place” or context in which they are found; and understanding the history, traditions, values, and attitudes of the people living in that place. Ultimately it depends on a shared understanding of the problems facing the region and a shared commitment to improving the conditions for the people, plants, and animals living there. This Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan embraces the vision set forth in the Next Century Conservation Plan for the FPCC and is intended to provide an initial blueprint for its implementation. 02 05 13 19 47 Executive SECTION 1 SECTION 2 SECTION 3 SECTION 4 Summary The Forest Development Natural Resources Cultural Resources Preserves of of the Natural of Cook County of Cook County Cook County and Cultural Resources Master Plan 59 83 95 107 114 SECTION 5 SECTION 6 SECTION 7 SECTION 8 Bibliography Natural and Integrated Integrated Education and and Glossary Cultural Resources Administrative Resource Interpretation Threats and Needs Management Management 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Executive Summary

he Forest Preserves of Cook County resources. Their success is crucial to The Forest Preserves’ natural and cultural T is celebrating its 100th anniversary. maintaining a high quality of life for the resources face numerous threats. These From its initial 500-acre preserve, it people of Cook County. include: has grown to encompass over 69,000 acres, including almost 50,000 acres of The 2014 Next Century Conservation • Invasive exotic species that are natural lands. The preserves are home Plan for the Forest Preserves of Cook displacing native plants and animals. to nearly 50 distinct plant communities, County offers an ambitious vision for • Stormwater runoff and flooding that some found only in the Chicago region. expanding the preserves and restoring drown native plants, degrade wetlands, They support a tremendous diversity the native landscapes they contain. and wash away archaeological sites. of native plants and animals, including This Natural and Cultural Resources • Habitat fragmentation that isolates many species that are declining or even Master Plan aims to provide the Forest plant and animal populations, threatened with extinction. At least Preserves with the guidance they impairing their ability to recover from 550 archaeological sites are present need to implement the Next Century disturbance and adapt to changing within the preserves. These sites record Conservation Plan’s natural resource conditions. continuous human use of Cook County goals. It also provides a natural and • Insufficient fire, leading to loss of throughout the last 10,000 years, from cultural resources framework for future diversity in the preserves’ many fire- the first Native Americans who reached land acquisition, recreation development, adapted natural communities and the region following the retreat of the and capital improvement. promoting the spread of invasive glaciers through use of the preserves for species. World War II prisoner-of-war camps. The In developing this master plan, the Prairie • Overabundant deer, which destroy preserves are a tremendous asset for the Research Institute at the University of wildflowers and reduce woody plant people of Cook County, allowing them Illinois consulted extensively with the growth, promote erosion, promote the to experience nature and history in ways Forest Preserves’ staff, volunteers, and spread of diseases, and increase the perhaps unequaled among major urban partners. Institute staff compiled and risk of deer-vehicle collisions. centers. analyzed existing data collected over • Poaching and collecting of plants and many years by the Forest Preserves animals and looting and vandalism of Unfortunately a variety of factors, many and other organizations, institutions, archaeological sites, which degrade or related to the preserves’ urban setting, and individuals. Staff also visited most destroy these resources. have seriously degraded their natural of the preserves to assess their natural • Altered water balance in wetlands, resources and threaten their cultural communities and the threats they face. leading to their decline or resources. The Forest Preserves’ staff, This report summarizes their findings and disappearance. volunteers, and conservation partners are presents recommendations for natural • Erosion that removes the soil that striving to manage, restore, and protect and cultural resources management. sustains plants; degrades streams, these invaluable natural and cultural The Forest Preserves have also received rivers, and wetlands; and damages technical reports providing more detailed cultural resources. analysis, the data compiled from all • Water pollution that also degrades sources, and a Geographic Information streams and rivers, making them System that integrates all geographically inhospitable for the fish and other based information. These products will animals that live there. guide the Forest Preserves’ natural and • Development and recreation that, cultural resource management as they when in the wrong places, may destroy implement the vision of the Next Century natural habitats and archaeological Conservation Plan. sites. • Climate change, which may lead to unsuitable conditions for native plants and animals and increase damage from severe storms.

HEPATICA © M. JEFFORDS NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 3

To minimize these threats, the Natural The Forest Preserves must use their Plan’s goal of 90,000 acres within the and Cultural Resources Master Plan financial and human resources as forest preserves. recommends the following actions: effectively as possible. The Forest Preserves’ staff do not work alone, Because the Landscape Conservation • Increase control of invasive species but benefit from a long history of Design includes large tracts of land using mechanical removal and cooperation with volunteer stewards with widely varying natural quality, it is herbicides. and partner organizations. To maximize necessary to prioritize restoration efforts • Promote cooperation among the Forest their effectiveness, this Master Plan on smaller units. Priority for management Preserves, state and federal agencies, recommends that the Forest Preserves and restoration follows this hierarchy: and local communities to alleviate take the following steps: stormwater problems. 1. Dedicated Nature Preserves and • Plan stormwater management • Use structured decision making to registered Land and Water Reserves measures to minimize damage to develop management plans that 2. Other INAI Natural Areas, including archaeological sites and natural use the best available information, those that are under recommendation communities. balance competing natural and cultural 3. Lands currently under management • Pursue natural and cultural resource resource goals, and make the process that could be brought to high natural management and land acquisition to more transparent to policy makers and quality relatively quickly maximize the size of preserves and the the public. 4. Large parcels of undeveloped land connections among them. • Continue to monitor resources and surrounding priority 1–3 sites and • Increase use of fire to promote plant management outcomes. judged to have high potential for diversity, benefit wildlife species, • Adopt a conservation enterprise restoration and registration as Land reduce invasive species, and create data system and other information and Water Reserves esthetically desired landscapes for technology solutions to improve 5. Other sites currently under restoration. preserve users. efficiency, facilitate communication, • Increase management of deer and and track processes and outcomes. Among cultural resources, archaeological other wildlife, and a public education • Nurture the relationship among the sites associated with human remains are and engagement strategy with Forest Preserves’ staff, volunteers, legally mandated as the first priority for a special focus on neighboring partners, and contractors. protection, followed by sites or groups landowners. • Improve the process of conservation of sites containing well-preserved • Continue to monitor plant and wildlife policy development and information about the prehistory or early diseases. communication. history of our nation, the region, or Cook • Educate the public and Forest Preserve • Provide more opportunities for County. The lands that meet these natural police about the signs and impacts of training and education about natural and cultural resource management poaching and looting. and cultural resources to staff and priorities total close to 30,000 acres. • Restore the water balance in affected volunteers. Collectively they protect the highest wetlands. quality or most important natural and • Combine education and enforcement It is clear that achieving the ambitious cultural resources, optimize the return to minimize creation and use of goals of the Next Century Conservation on previous management efforts, and erosion-causing unofficial trails. Plan will require coordinated promote the landscape connectivity • Continue efforts that have significantly management and restoration across the essential for healthy ecosystems. reduced water pollution in recent years. preserves. To facilitate this, the master • Plan future development of structures plan includes a Landscape Conservation The costs of restoring and maintaining and recreation facilities, including Design that integrates public and natural areas and of identifying and trails, and habitat restoration activities, private conservation efforts across Cook protecting cultural resources are to minimize threats to archaeological County. Major components of the design significant. Embracing the Next Century sites. include Illinois Natural Areas, Illinois Conservation Plan’s vision of restoring • Conduct thorough archaeological Land and Water Reserves, large areas of 30,000 acres to high natural quality is surveys of the 80 percent of preserve undeveloped land, areas with significant estimated to cost between $650 million lands that have never been examined cultural resources, and areas of natural and $1.3 billion over the next 25 years. and systematically evaluate known sites vegetation that can provide corridors These estimates do not include the costs to determine their importance and and linkages among these conservation of cultural resource management or of management needs. lands. The total acreage of lands in the land acquisition. These are significant • Develop a strong base of citizens who design currently protected within the investments, but the resources within the are educated about the natural and forest preserves system is 34,830 acres. Forest Preserves of Cook County are, by cultural resources of Cook County, and An additional 13,438 acres are not under any reasonable measure, priceless. who can serve as allies for the Forest Forest Preserve ownership at this time Preserves. and could be acquisition priorities to meet the Next Century Conservation

SECTION The Forest Preserves of Cook County

At the beginning of the 20th century, as urban development in Chicago and surrounding Cook County was rapidly expanding, several Chicago organizations sought to preserve remaining native prairie and forest as precious natural resources. Jens Jensen, a Danish immigrant and landscape architect, was a leader in this movement. His vision was to restore the deteriorating parks using native plants. He also envisioned a system of parks in inner-city neighborhoods, boulevards linking the nature reserves with the city’s park system, and conservation of tracts of undeveloped land. Daniel Burnham, Chicago’s renowned architect and planner, was enlisted to incorporate Jensen’s ideas into the 1909 plan of Chicago. Although many of Jensen’s specific plans were not realized, the movement to conserve natural areas was well underway. After many attempts and years of political debate, the Forest Preserves of Cook County was established in 1915. 6 SECTION 1 THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY Land Acquisition for Forest Preserves

“Instead of acquiring space only, the opportunity exists for reserving country naturally beautiful. The bluffs and beaches along the lake shore, the Skokee, the North Chicago River Valley, the Peterson Woods at Bowmanville, the Desplaines Valley, Salt Creek, Flag Creek, Mt. Forest, the Sag Valley, Palos Heights, Blue Island Ridge, Calumet River and Lake—all these should be preserved for the benefit of the public in both the city and its suburbs and for their own beauty and scientific value which, if once lost, cannot be restored for generations.”

- 1905 Report of the Special Park Commission

y 1916, the Forest Preserve Plan recreational capacity, and natural and In 1929, the FPCC released a report B Committee began to recommend cultural conservation values. Today, the advising that 75 percent of the land land for the FPCC to attain. The plan larger mission to manage natural areas should be managed as forests, 14 committee had been appointed by the for conservation and recreation remains percent should be kept open for president of the Cook County Board of true, yet this mission has been refined recreation, 5 percent should be given Commissioners, Peter Reinberg, and and clarified through time, learning, and to rivers and lakes, 4 percent should be included Dwight Perkins and Daniel cultural shifts. made into golf courses, and 2 percent Burnham, individuals who had helped should be set aside for a zoological park craft the forest preserve idea. They “I am inclined to believe that the Chicago and arboretum. This rule has changed were tasked to survey all land offered intramural park system…will be large and a more recent assessment has to the FPCC and make acquisition enough to supply park needs within the indicated an 80/20 proportion might recommendations to the board. city. What is needed to supplement this be appropriate, with about 80 percent Recommendations relied heavily on system is the outer preserves of forest being given to natural areas and no the plans laid out by the Special Park and meadowland unimproved by the more than 20 percent to recreation and Commission in its 1905 report to the City hand of man.” development. The 80/20 guideline was Council of Chicago and earlier surveys of a point of reference during the creation the Municipal Science Club, both headed - Henry Foreman, 1903 speech of the Forest Preserves’ 2012 Recreation by Dwight Perkins. The Forest Preserves to Outer Belt Commission Plan and their 2012 Land Acquisition acquired their first property in 1916, Plan. The preservation of natural areas purchasing 500 acres in what is now the The forest preserves idea differed from is and will continue to be the key forest Deer Grove West Preserve. other county parks of the early 20th preserves concept for Cook County and century by emphasizing the preservation surrounding areas. Land was to be acquired for the dual of space in its natural, undeveloped purposes of conservation and recreation, state. Parks, supplemented with artificial though there were some differences of plantings, had already been created. The opinion on the extent of these purposes. forest preserves were to be natural areas The land recommended in the report of and to provide citizens with a different the Special Park Commission had been kind of enjoyment: the scenic beauty considered for its proximity to current provided by nature. or future populations, esthetic appeal, DEER GROVE WEST PRESERVE © C. BENDA

8 SECTION 1 THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY Creating an Interconnected System of Large Preserves

n addition to managing areas in The 1909 Plan of Chicago imagined a the surrounding natural areas. Efforts to I their natural state, acquiring large, system of forest parks connected by clean polluted waterways for the health connected preserves was a priority for wooded boulevards. In the 1920s, this of aquatic species began in 1921, and the first plan committee. This matched idea was referred to as “The Forest Way.” the Clean Streams Advisory Committee the recommendations of the Special Today, the Green Infrastructure Vision, was appointed in 1931 to protect the Park Commission, which included the created by Chicago Wilderness, echoes waterways against factory pollution and recommendation of two 8,000-acre the mission to conserve large natural sewage overflow. preserves, one 7,000-acre preserve, three areas and promotes the creation of preserves between 1,000 and 2,000 greenway linkages and wildlife corridors. The FPCC continues to focus on acres, and 15 additional preserves over The Green Infrastructure Vision informs maintaining and restoring the health of 100 acres. This was in stark contrast to the FPCC’s planning and was used the county’s waterways today through the existing parks, which were generally extensively during the creation of the working with organizations such as the limited to 10 acres or less. Areas of 2012 Land Acquisition Plan. Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, high acreage were desired out of an Openlands, Friends of the Chicago River, understanding that they provided greater A majority of the Forest Preserves’ first and other coalitions, and by creating ecosystem services, lent themselves to acquisitions included rivers, lakes, and opportunities for volunteer cleanups of more immersive experiences for people, streams. By 1936, most property that waterways. and presented the opportunity for more had been acquired followed five of the effective conservation of nature in its wild county’s main waterways: the North state. Branch of the Chicago River, the Des Plaines River, Salt and Thorn Creeks, and the Little Calumet. The creators of the 1909 plan recognized that protecting the waterways was the key to protecting THORN CREEK © C. BENDA NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 9 Preserves for the People in Perpetuity

roviding natural areas for the There is a renewed interest in providing organizations and government officials P enjoyment of the public has always equal access to the preserves. The most for forest preserves property to be used been a part of the mission of the Forest recent land acquisition plan prioritizes as school grounds, club meeting places, Preserves of Cook County. In many ways, the acquisition of lands in areas where and other uses. Land Policy contained the idea of conserving natural areas was currently there is limited access, even if letters between the advisory committee, inspired by the need for open space. it means attaining smaller pieces of land. government officials, and organizations The idea that natural areas could help It is noteworthy as well that providing going back more than two decades. solve many of the ills of society such as public transportation to natural areas was Repeatedly, the advisory committee overcrowding, increased mortality, the recommended both in the 1909 plan and was contacted to give land and each spread of infectious disease, juvenile in the 2012 Land Acquisition Plan. time responded with a restatement of crime, and delinquency was used their policies. They steadfastly held onto as an argument by the Special Park “The Commissioners cannot consider Forest Preserves property and did not Commission for the creation of the themselves only temporary custodians of grant special privileges to requesters, preserves. At a time when only those of land and forests, or as an interim land- no matter how well intentioned their privilege owned pieces of natural areas, holding agency from which other public requests. the preserve concept provided a way or private bodies may draw at will.” for average citizens to enjoy the beauty Today, land surrounding the preserves of nature without trespassing. Emphasis - FPCC Advisory Committee, 1946 has become increasingly developed, was given to providing scenic areas in open space has become even more proximity to the most industrialized parts As development in the county continued of a rarity, and pressure to give Forest of the city. Today, one scarcely need to expand throughout the first half of the Preserves land to other uses is constant. walk into a forest preserves site to see 20th century, the FPCC’s success in setting This pressure is not new, but it is met with individuals picnicking, fishing, hiking, aside land for conservation led other the same tireless resistance demonstrated biking, and studying nature much as they interests to want that “unused land” for by earlier leaders of the preserve system. did 100 years ago. competing purposes. In the 1960s the FPCC released Land Policy, a document that revealed numerous requests from VISITORS AT BLUFF SPRING FEN NATURE PRESERVE © A. BRANDON 10 SECTION 1 THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY Moving from Preservation to Restoration

“We take seriously the responsibility we have to ensure that generations of Cook County citizens, born and yet unborn, will co-exist until time beyond mind with the inspiring diversity and beauty of plants and animals, places and processes unique to the world.”

- FPCC Sustainability Doctrine 2012

uring the first 100 years, these larger the perception of prairies and wetlands FPCC. The Forest Preserves of Cook D goals of conservation and recreation occurred over decades and involved County of the 21st century seeks to have remained constant, but what to both organizational changes and conserve woodlands, grasslands, and conserve and how to recreate in these cultural shifts. Briefly, the first large-scale wetlands, and natural areas are managed natural areas has been refined. When prairie restorations in the Cook County to maintain and restore biodiversity. the preserves were established, forest preserves occurred at Sagawau, Crabtree, conservation was the priority. This was and Sand Ridge nature centers and at the result partly of the legal process of Ned Brown Preserve in 1966. The North trying to define the scope and goal of Branch Prairie Project began volunteer- PRAIRIE DROPSEED AT the preserves and partly of a cultural led restoration of prairies, savannas, and SPRING LAKE © C. BENDA undervaluation of the environmental woodlands in the 1970s. Today, marshes, and esthetic importance of wetland sedge meadows, fens, bogs, and swamps and grassland ecosystems. Changes in are all protected and maintained by the CHICAGO CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP CORPS AT DAN RYAN WOODS © A. BRANDON

Development

SECTION of the Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan

The Forest Preserves of Cook County is celebrating its 100- year anniversary. The preserves now contain over 69,000 acres, including almost 50,000 acres of natural land. From its inception, foresight has been the foundation of the preserve system and planning has been the framework on which its natural areas depend. The Forest Preserves of Cook County has reaffirmed the importance of foresight and planning through the development of the Next Century Conservation Plan, which called for completing the Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan (NCRMP). The Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan takes into consideration the context in which this report is being published and, like the structured decision making recommended by this report, it seeks to integrate and build upon the goals and recommendations of other related plans. 14 SECTION 2 DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN Context for the NCRMP

he 2014 Next Century Conservation The Natural and Cultural Resources The Natural and Cultural Resources T Plan was created by a commission Master plan will also add an important Master Plan will help to unite these other of business and civic leaders for the component to recreation planning by plans by providing a baseline assessment Forest Preserves of Cook County. It is identifying areas that are compatible of natural and cultural resources, a a broad vision for the next 100 years of for active and passive recreation. This foundation for future information the Forest Preserves. The goals outlined will provide ecological and cultural gathering, and a framework for structured by the Next Century Conservation Plan resource considerations to the 2013 decision making. were adopted to guide this resource Recreation Master Plan and the 2014 master plan. Three goals are especially Trails Master Plan released by the FPCC. The Natural and Cultural Resources relevant: expanding the forest preserves Similarly, this plan will inform the five-year Master Plan was created through a to 90,000 acres, restoring 30,000 acres Capital Improvement Plan as it moves partnership between the Forest Preserves to high natural quality, and maintaining forward with future development. It will of Cook County and the Prairie Research much of the remaining 60,000 acres in also provide the FPCC with tools and Institute (PRI). Of the five branches of the good ecological health. The Natural information to plan for the most impactful PRI, the Illinois Natural History Survey and Cultural Resources Master Plan restoration within the budget identified (INHS), the Illinois State Archaeological will provide the FPCC with a baseline in the Capital Improvement Plan, while Survey (ISAS), and the Illinois State evaluation and framework for achieving identifying and protecting important Water Survey (ISWS) were the primary these goals. For more information about archaeological sites. These plans and investigators for this plan. An internal the Next Century Conservation Plan see others released by the FPCC can be advisory committee and an external http://www.nextcenturyconservationplan. found on the Forest Preserve website at advisory council were created to inform org. http://fpdcc.com. PRI as the plan was created. The internal advisory committee comprised key The Natural and Cultural Resources The Green Infrastructure Vision provides resource management staff of the Forest Master Plan will be a valuable tool for the Chicago Wilderness region with the Preserves of Cook County. The external the FPCC as it moves forward with vision of a healthy, connected network advisory council included leaders in acquisition, recreation development, of natural areas which provides clean air, affiliated organizations. Both of these and capital improvement. This plan clean water, flood control, and recreation. advisory groups met with PRI staff several will provide an ecological and cultural The Natural and Cultural Resources times during the year to provide relevant resource basis of consideration for Master Plan promotes this vision, and feedback and insight. plans the FPCC has released in recent green infrastructure maps and concepts years. In 2012, the land acquisition plan were used to inform this plan. Information identified 20,000 acres of potential land about the Green Infrastructure Vision can to purchase. In identifying priority areas be found at http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/ and providing a suite of helpful maps, the livability/open-space/green-infrastructure- Natural and Cultural Resources Master vision. Plan will help the FPCC determine which land to acquire. The Biodiversity Recovery Plan published by Chicago Wilderness in 1999 emphasized the importance of biodiversity on both species and landscape scales. The recovery plan identified focal species and landscapes and outlined strategies for the restoration and maintenance of diverse natural areas. The Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan has included these considerations in its planning and promotes the importance of ecological diversity.

GRAVEL PRAIRIE AT BLUFF SPRING FEN © C. BENDA

NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 17 Creating the NCRMP

FIELD COMPONENT A human dimensions COMPILATION OF EXISTING DATA endangered species. Aquatic specialists specialist was employed to seek input Information was collected from the modeled species richness and biotic from the Forest Preserves and a wide Forest Preserves of Cook County, integrity in streams and rivers. They range of stakeholders. A combination outside organizations and institutions, prioritized aquatic areas for inventory and of structured phone interviews, focus and volunteers. Forest Preserve staff restoration. groups, public forums, mail surveys, provided the PRI with existing electronic and e-mail surveys was used. Input was information and access to paper-based The Illinois State Water Survey assisted sought from Forest Preserves staff and records. A coordinator went to various by identifying forest preserve flooding administrators, the internal advisory FPCC locations and digitized about that has been documented by the committee, the external advisory council, 12,000 documents. Volunteer site Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. key stewards, interest groups, volunteers, stewards were contacted to provide They also assessed several problem areas and Cook County residents. Views important site information and reports and identified causes and solutions. An were sought on: (1) major ecological of data they collected, and to complete archaeological field survey of the Forest and archaeological problems at the maps of important areas. Some stewards Preserves’ over 69,000 acres, and field Forest Preserves; (2) management were contacted individually by INHS evaluations of the FPCC’s 550 known site needs to address these problems; ecologists and ISAS archaeologists to areas, were not feasible within the time and (3) challenges that might impede provide further information. Individuals and budget constraints of this project. implementation of the master plan. who had conducted relevant research in Instead, archaeologists developed the preserves and organizations involved models for evaluating archaeological Two plant ecologists conducted field in restoration and monitoring in the site and landform significance and surveys of most of the forest preserves preserves were contacted to contribute sensitivity in order to provide very during the 2014 growing season. During information. general, but immediate, tools for these visits, they assessed the current cultural resource management. The ecological condition of land owned Archaeologists gathered and digitized human dimensions specialist conducted by the Forest Preserves. To make their over 1,000 documents related to analyses to identify natural and cultural assessments, they followed standards archaeological sites and investigations resource issues and barriers to effective laid out by a previous statewide inventory that have occurred on Forest Preserves resource management in the preserves. known as the Illinois Natural Areas lands over the past 100 years, including GIS specialists completed conservation Inventory. While visiting sites, they also professional research reports, conference design mapping. noted the effects of management efforts papers, notes, and maps made by local and mapped current natural communities. avocational archaeologists and residents, This report was written by INHS, ISAS, web publications, and newspaper articles. and ISWS staff. Researchers wrote Archaeologists conducted preliminary They also visited a number of Illinois sections in their areas of expertise. field surveys from April through July of institutions to photograph and complete Other sections were written by an ISWS 2014, primarily in areas where capital preliminary inventories of artifacts staff writer, the coordinator, the INHS improvement construction projects previously collected from the forest Acting Director, and the PRI Interim planned for that year had the potential to preserves. All of the information collected Executive Director. In addition to this impact known archaeological locations. was compiled and made available to PRI report, the Forest Preserves will receive Ongoing archaeological surveys and researchers involved in the master plan. several technical reports written by PRI evaluations of sites within the forest For a complete list of organizations that researchers; the information compiled preserves are expected to continue into contributed information see Appendix 1 from the sources listed in Appendix 1 the future. (http://hdl.handle.net/2142/55727). (http://hdl.handle.net/2142/55727); and a Geographic Information System ANALYSIS AND REPORT WRITING Data (GIS) integrating all the location-based generated during the field component information, including both electronic was integrated with the data collected resources and some digitized paper- from other sources and analyzed by based records. These products will species-level and landscape-level guide the Forest Preserves’ natural and experts. The plant ecologists conducted culture resource management as they TOP TO BOTTOM a site ranking and a prioritization of site implement the vision of the Next Century PRI PLANT ECOLOGIST ASSESSING HABITAT and management needs. Specialists on Conservation Plan. QUALITY AT THATCHER WOODS © C. BENDA amphibians and reptiles, birds, crayfish, and plants identified conservation SITE EXCAVATION BY PRI ARCHAEOLOGIST © ISAS priorities, particularly of threatened and

SECTION Natural Resources of Cook County

The term natural resources usually applies to things that are not made by humans. It includes natural communities, such as prairies, savannas, woodlands, forests, wetlands, lakes, and streams; the non-living components of those communities, like the rocks, minerals, soils, water, and air; and the plant and animal species (but traditionally not people) that inhabit those communities. The great variety of species including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, crayfish, mussels, insects, other invertebrates, plants, fungi, and even bacteria and viruses are collectively often referred to as the earth’s biological diversity, or biodiversity for short. The species that naturally occur in a region that were not brought in by people are referred to as native species. Species that come from other areas are exotic species. The Forest Preserves of Cook County has a goal to preserve the biodiversity native to Cook County. To do this the Forest Preserves staff must maintain native species, representative natural communities, and the genetic diversity of native plants and animals. 20 SECTION 3 NATURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY Geography of Cook County

he geography of Cook County was T shaped by glaciers. As the ice melted following the Wisconsin glaciation, some 10,000 years ago, the area close to present day Lake Michigan was covered by a shallow lake. This area, called the Chicago Lake Plain Section, is much flatter than the rest of the county (Figure 3.1). The area was easily developed and the city rapidly grew here before Jens Jensen, Daniel Burnham, and others developed the forest preserves concept. CHICAGO LAKE PLAIN SECTION Very little undeveloped land remains in this part of the county. MORAINAL SECTION

FOREST PRESERVES The Chicago Lake Plain Section includes OF COOK COUNTY the valleys of both the Des Plaines and North Branch of the Chicago rivers. Many natural communities and protected natural areas occurring within upper drainage basins of the two river systems are similar to those elsewhere in northeastern Illinois. However, the southernmost portion of the Chicago Lake Plain Section is unique. The largest and highest quality representatives of lake plain wetlands, prairies, woodlands, and savannas occur on the old lake- FIGURE 3.1 NATURAL SECTIONS bed and beach ridges. Burnham Prairie, OF COOK COUNTY Calumet City Prairie, Jurgensen Woods, Powderhorn Prairie, Sand Ridge, and Thornton-Lansing Road nature preserves are found here. Additional restorable remnants, either on forest preserve lands or adjacent to them, are found at island. This region is called the Morainal breached the Tinley and Valparaiso Beaubien Woods, Dolton Avenue Prairie, Section. It is found in the northwestern moraines and drained the Lake Plain, is Eggers Grove, Green Lake, Kickapoo and southwestern parts of Cook County bordered by the Cap Sauers and south Woods, Sand Ridge Nature Center, and in a small area lying between the Palos preserves on the south and the Superior Street Prairie, and Wentworth Des Plaines and North Chicago Rivers in northern Palos Preserves on the opposite Woods. This region’s extraordinary north-central Cook County. side of the Cal-Sag Channel. This area biological richness is also testified to contains one of the largest and most by the numerous large native villages, The portion of the Morainal Section varied forest blocks in northern Illinois, cemeteries, and fortifications that were encompassing northwestern Cook forming a vast complex large enough located here. County is characterized by broad, flat to provide habitat for declining wildlife to gently rolling expanses of what was species, protection for rare natural Behind the lake plain, the melting historically a mosaic of prairies, savannas, communities (fens, dolomite prairies, and glaciers left behind debris forming north- and open woodlands, a landscape similar woodlands), and a landscape experience south ridges that parallel the shoreline to that in the other counties surrounding of which the founders of the Forest of the present day Lake Michigan. These Cook County. However, the Morainal Preserves of Cook County would have debris piles are called moraines. Between Section covering southwestern Cook been proud. the moraines, temporary lakes formed County is a landscape closely associated that later filled with sediment, leaving flat with the Chicago Lake Plain Section. The surfaces upon which appeared low sandy Chicago Outlet Valley (now the Cal-Sag HIGH QUALITY DRY-MESIC UPLAND FOREST beach ridges and an occasional rocky Channel), where ancestral Lake Michigan LOCATED IN BUSSE FOREST © C. BENDA NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 21

COOK COUNTY IS LOCATED IN THE NORTHEASTERN MORAINAL DIVISION OF ILLINOIS, WHICH INCLUDES THE CHICAGO LAKE PLAIN SECTION AND MORAINAL SECTION 22 SECTION 3 NATURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY Natural Communities of Cook County

PRESETTLEMENT NATURAL COMMUNITIES Although glaciation, climate, and fire CURRENT NATURAL COMMUNITIES Within When the first Europeans arrived in have left a mark on modern day Cook the 945 square mile terrestrial land area Cook County, they found a mosaic of County, human influences have had of Cook County, nearly 50 different prairie with scattered savanna (a mixture the greatest impact on natural spaces, natural communities (assemblages of of prairie plants and scattered, fire- which have dwindled since the days of plant species co-existing under similar resistant oak trees), woodland, forest, the early explorers. Current estimates environmental conditions and natural and wetlands (Figure 3.2). Prairie covered for land cover in Cook County indicate processes) have been recognized, about 73 percent of the region. Although that 85 percent is developed land. Lands supporting approximately 1,200 species the land and climate would have allowed classified as forests rank second with 8.7 of native plants, just over half the forests to predominate, a long history percent of the total land cover (53,484 statewide total. of fire, mostly human in origin, favored acres). This includes an undetermined grasslands. Forests, woodlands, and amount of residential and other Community classes are readily savanna covered about 20 percent of developed lands with tree cover. About distinguished. In general, forest refers the land area, particularly where ravines, 57 percent of the wooded land cover to wooded community types dominated open water, or wetlands provided some occurs within the forest preserves. All by a wide variety of tree species where protection from fire. Wetlands including other land cover types (e.g., open water, fire is not a primary factor in structuring marsh, slough, and wet prairie occupied cropland, shrubland, pasture/hayfield, the community. These stands typically 5.6 percent of the land area. Open water and grassland) make up 6.1 percent of occur in fire-protected locations, have (lakes, ponds, and rivers) occupied 1.2 the county with each totaling less than 2 canopy cover (the area covered by trees) percent of the land area. percent of the land area. exceeding 80 percent, and trees with ascending branches. Woodland and savanna refer to wooded communities generally dominated by oaks where past fires had a prominent role in structuring the community. Canopy cover ranges widely from about 10 to 90 percent and trees characteristically have more spreading branches than those in forest. Woodland and savanna communities also have a ground layer mainly made up of sun-loving native perennial plants.

Prairies are native grassland/forb communities dominated by herbaceous perennials with scattered low shrubs PRAIRIE (e.g., leadplant, New Jersey tea, pasture rose). Most examples of prairie as well HERBACEOUS WETLAND as the savanna subclass are highly fire- dependent. Wetlands include marsh, WOODED sedge meadow, seeps, and calcareous peatlands known as fens. Cultural is a WATER community class reserved for developed lands and highly altered vegetation FOREST PRESERVES types (e.g., Eurasian meadow, cropland, OF COOK COUNTY unassociated woody growth, shrubland).

Among the recognized community categories mapped on forest preserve lands, cultural currently is the most dominant, with 27.6 percent of the land area, followed by “other woody” (combining unassociated woody growth, FIGURE 3.2 PRESETTLEMENT reforestation, and shrubland), with 26.4 NATURAL COMMUNITIES OF COOK COUNTY percent of the land area. These two NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 23

Dolomite prairies in the Southwest Zone, gravel prairies in the South and Northwest zones, and shrub prairies in the South Zone are rare natural communities statewide that provide additional distinction to the preserve system; examples also are found outside Cook County. Also distinctive are prairies on silt loam and sandy soils, which formerly were dominant in Cook County. DEVELOPED LAND Some of these are the focus of planned restoration; existing remnants provide CROPLAND templates for habitat reconstruction.

PRAIRIE* HIGH-QUALITY NATURAL COMMUNITIES The Illinois Natural Areas Inventory PASTURE/HAYFIELD (INAI) includes a list of tracts of land that support high-quality examples of the HERBACEOUS WETLAND different natural community types. Their quality is determined by a grading system SHRUBLAND that considers the current makeup of the native plant community; the amount of WOODED disturbance the site has experienced from plowing, logging, excessive flooding, or WATER invasion by exotic species; and whether natural ecological forces like periodic fire FOREST PRESERVES or natural water flow continue to function. OF COOK COUNTY

Areas determined to support “high FIGURE 3.3 CURRENT LANDCOVER OF COOK COUNTY quality natural communities” are called (* MAY INCLUDE OTHER GRASSLAND TYPES) “INAI Natural Areas” and receive legal protections under Illinois law. If a natural community is not considered high quality it is sometimes referred to as degraded. Lands that are not high enough quality categories, unrepresentative of natural UNIQUE AND CHARACTERISTIC NATURAL to become INAI Natural Areas can be communities, total 54 percent of forest COMMUNITIES Several plant communities managed to improve their quality. This preserve lands. Woodland is the most in the forest preserves system are unique process is called natural community prominent natural community class in Illinois or are primarily limited to Cook restoration. The Forest Preserves with about 24 percent of the land area County. Particularly notable are sand have been actively restoring natural followed by wetland (combining marsh, flatwoods, northern flatwoods, local communities for many years, using staff, sedge meadow, seep, and fen) with 10 inclusions of wet-mesic upland forest contractors, volunteers, and partner percent. Forest community types total (locally termed open vernal wetlands or organizations. The recent statewide 8 percent of the FPCC lands. When upland morainal depressions), and mesic update of the INAI identified two sites combined with woodland and savanna, gravel prairie. Signature characteristics as newly qualifying for the INAI. Neither wooded natural communities total 33.5 of remnant wooded communities in the site had qualified for the original INAI in percent of the land area. Prairie totals 2.4 region and the forest preserves are oak the 1970s but both had been restored by percent of the land area. The combined woodlands and savannas.The Palos and FPCC staff and volunteers to high Natural acreages of wooded natural communities Sag Valley divisions form a notably large, Area quality. (forest, woodland, and savanna), heterogeneous complex of preserves wetlands, and prairie total 46 percent totaling 15,524 acres. This area supports About 36 acres of high-quality forest of the FPCC land area and support woodlands with local wetland habitats habitat, mostly wet-mesic floodplain the vast majority of native biodiversity. such as graminoid fens. It provides forest, have been identified in Cook Habitat reconstruction will be necessary opportunities to establish ecological County by the INAI. A total of 111 acres to reclaim portions of the 54 percent of linkages to enhance habitat recovery of high-quality woodland and savanna developed and highly altered lands in the potential. habitat, mostly dry-mesic sand savanna, preserve system and to meet FPCC goals have been identified; high-quality prairie for future land cover. totals 232 acres. High-quality wetland 24 SECTION 3 NATURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY

habitats total 195 acres, predominantly Maintaining this rich biodiversity will DRY GRAVEL PRAIRIE AT sedge meadow, graminoid fen, and seep require vigilant commitment to habitat SPRING CREEK PRAIRIE © C. BENDA communities. About 81 additional acres management, recovery, and restoration. of forest, woodland, and savanna are Ongoing and coordinated ecological under review for inclusion in the INAI. monitoring will be a cornerstone practice for adaptive management Taken together, nearly 700 acres in and conservation planning. The Forest Cook County, predominantly on FPCC Preserves of Cook County have in place lands, currently meet the INAI criteria the conservation framework to carry out for high-quality habitats. In addition, these measures. assessments by the PRI plant ecologists have identified about 4,300 acres of FPCC lands that have high potential for restoration. However, in a county with one of the highest human population densities in the United States, many of these natural features are at risk. NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 25

Converting the large area of cultural Restoration and reconstruction are most Potential Natural community types to sustainable restored effective when environmental conditions savanna, woodland, forest, prairie, are suitable for the projected goals. Community Goals for and wetland will require a tremendous For example, prairie reconstruction investment of money and effort and usually is more successful on soils with the Forest Preserves will not happen quickly. Achieving the low nutrient availability. Estimated short-term goal of the Next Century early settlement vegetation boundaries n 2008, Forest Preserve staff Conservation Plan of restoring 30,000 provide a practical ecological outline for I developed a long-range vision for acres to Illinois Natural Areas Inventory matching community type goals to a site, natural community restoration on all the quality will require focusing first on and existing natural areas provide vital preserves. Achieving that vision would restoring degraded natural communities benchmarks to guide restoration. require reducing cultural community and later on conversions of cultural types by about 50 percent by eliminating communities. Priorities for restoration cropland and reducing Eurasian meadow are discussed in more detail in Section 7, by about 80 percent (Figure 3.4). In Integrative Resource Management. addition, “other woody” would have to be reduced by about 31 percent, primarily by reducing acreage of unassociated woody growth. Under this scenario, woodland would increase by 6.8 percent, wetland by 4.2 percent, and forest by 6.2 percent. In contrast to these small changes, acreage of prairie would increase by 562 percent and savanna by 326 percent. FIGURE 3.4 CURRENT AND FUTURE ACREAGE OF FPCC LAND BY COMMUNITY TYPE

*DEVELOPED LAND, HIGHLY ALTERED VEGETATION, AND CROPLAND

1,158 SAVANNA 8,951 CULTURAL* 6,557 1,591 WETLAND PRAIRIE 6,834 11,896 WETLAND 18,004 OTHER WOODY CULTURAL* 10,531 PRAIRIE

CURRENT FUTURE ACREAGE ACREAGE 4,928 SAVANNA

17,202 OTHER WOODY 15,474 WOODLAND 5,542 16,524 FOREST WOODLAND 5,220 FOREST 26 SECTION 3 NATURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY Species at Risk in Cook County

ome species are considered number for any Illinois county except The FPCC holdings are critical habitat S endangered or threatened. These perhaps Lake. As of now, we estimate for these species at risk. Historically, species are in danger of being lost or as many as 69 of these have been 151 federally or state-protected T&E extirpated (wiped out) from a region. extirpated from Cook County, leaving species were known from the preserves, If they are lost from everywhere on the at least 115 T&E species still present in of which over 100 are believed still planet they are considered extinct. The the county. Other species have been to be present. This represents almost Passenger Pigeon is an example of an identified that are in less danger, but still 90% of the T&E species still found in Illinois species that became extinct 100 worthy of conservation consideration. The Cook County. In addition, 69 Species years ago, coincidently the same year Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Action in Greatest Need of Conservation and the Forest Preserves of Cook County was Plan and Strategy, developed by the 554 Chicago Wilderness Species of established. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Conservation Concern are found on the identified another 89 animal species in forest preserves, 78% of Cook County’s Threatened and endangered (T&E) Cook County as “Species in Greatest species in both of these categories. Many species are legally protected and Need of Conservation.” An additional of these T&E and other species at risk receive special attention from the Forest 713 species in the county are categorized persist in the county only on the forest Preserves. At one point in time a total as “of Conservation Concern” by preserves. of 184 federally or state-protected Chicago Wilderness. A list of these threatened and endangered species were species at risk appears in Appendix 2 reported from Cook County, the greatest (http://hdl.handle.net/2142/55728). CLOCKWISE FROM TOP STARHEAD TOPMINNOW © P. NIXON LEAST BITTERN © M.K. RUBEY FOUR-TOED SALAMANDER © D. RUFFATTO PASSENGER PIGEON SPECIMEN © M. JEFFORDS SPOTTED CORAL-ROOT © P. MARCUM

THE PASSENGER PIGEON BECAME EXTINCT 100 YEARS AGO 184 T&E SPECIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED FROM COOK COUNTY 135 ILLINOIS T&E PLANTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED FROM COOK COUNTY NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 29

However, Cook County also has one of Of these 135 threatened or endangered Plants in Cook County the highest human population densities plant species, 55 (41 percent) appear to in the United States. Development and have been extirpated (lost) from Cook ore plant species have been other human activities have degraded County. Wetland species (plants known M reported from Cook County or destroyed natural communities and to occur regularly in wetlands) appear than any other Illinois county. This is reduced or eliminated populations of to have been particularly vulnerable. attributable in part to the large size of many plant species. They make up 53 percent of the county’s the county (not including Lake Michigan threatened and endangered species and acreage, Cook County ranks 5th of 102 A total of 135 plant species listed by the 59 percent of the extirpated species. Illinois counties in total land area) and Illinois Endangered Species Protection Cook County also was the former home in part to the presence of a wide variety Board as threatened or endangered have to 27 species considered extirpated from of habitat types. Natural communities been reported from Cook County, more Illinois, including the enigmatic thismia, originally found in these habitats included than any other Illinois county (Appendix a species formerly known only from a great variety of habitats from calcareous 2; http://hdl.handle.net/2142/55728). Cook County and now probably extinct. prairies to acid peatlands, from sand These include four species also listed An additional six species reported savannas on the lake plain to woodlands by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as from Illinois based on written records on glacial moraines, and from lakeshore threatened or endangered. Conservation for Cook County may also be among beach and dune habitats to floodplain populations of two other federally listed the extirpated species; however, no forests along major streams. plant species known from northeastern specimens have been found to confirm Illinois also have been established them as members of the flora. in Cook County. Five threatened or endangered species are known in Illinois only from Cook County, making their preservation especially important.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT GRASS PINK ORCHID © P. MARCUM SLENDER SANDWORT © J. TAFT LITTLE GREEN SEDGE © J. TAFT LEFT TO RIGHT BUNCHBERRY © C. CARROLL-CUNNINGHAM PITCHER PLANT © P. MARCUM PINK MILKWORT © J. TAFT

41% OF ILLINOIS T&E PLANTS HISTORICALLY REPORTED FROM COOK COUNTY HAVE BEEN EXTIRPATED FROM THE COUNTY 27 NATIVE PLANTS FORMERLY FOUND IN COOK COUNTY HAVE BEEN EXTIRPATED FROM THE STATE “ NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 31

FIGURE 3.5 NUMBER OF THREATENED AND ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES WITHIN EACH GROWTH FORM CLASSIFICATION 8% PRIMARY 6% AQUATIC 5 11% FERNS/ALLIES SAVANNA 55% 5 WETLAND 6 INSECTIVOROUS TREES PLANTS 16% 32 WOODLAND 7 PERENNIAL T&E PLANTS: PERENNIAL GRASSES DICOT FORBS HABITATS 13 ANNUAL/BIENNIAL 20% FORBS T&E PLANTS: GROWTH FOREST FORMS 33% 17 27 PRAIRIE PERENNIAL SEDGES PERENNIAL MONOCOT FORBS FIGURE 3.6 PERCENT OF THREATENED AND ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES FOUND IN EACH 21 HABITAT TYPE SHRUBS

DISTRIBUTION IN THE FOREST PRESERVES A ABOUT THE SPECIES Threatened and outside their optimal climate setting. To total of 118 threatened or endangered endangered species reported from Cook maintain species diversity, conservation plant species have been recorded at County come from a wide range of plant planning needs to address the capacity least historically from 29 Cook County growth forms and plant families (Figure for plants to adjust to shifts in their forest preserves with extant (persistent) 3.5). Most are perennial forbs, including optimal ranges. populations reported from 24 sites. Many dicot and monocot species. Plant families of these preserves support multiple with the greatest number of threatened Most threatened and endangered species threatened or endangered plant species, and endangered species in Cook County occur in wetlands followed by prairies, making them among the richest locations are the sedges (Cyperaceae) with 17 forests, and woodlands (Figure 3.6). for rare plants in the state. species, orchids (Orchidaceae) with 13 Some species occur in more than one species, and composites (Asteraceae) and community class; comparatively fewer grasses (Poaceae), each with 7 species. species occur in savanna, primary (e.g., bedrock, shoreline), or aquatic habitats. About 76 percent of the threatened Among wetland habitats, the greatest and endangered species that occur in number of threatened and endangered Cook County are present here at the species (40) occur on moist sandy soils margins of their geographic distributions, in a variety of specific habitat types (e.g., where species tend to be found in low wet to wet-mesic sand prairie, sand abundance; about 60 percent are at seep, sand flatwoods, beach, panne, the southern limit of their midwestern and areas of excavated sand). Numerous ranges. All but a few of these are additional species occur in peatlands, widespread species from throughout specifically fens (29) or bog and bog-like northern or northeastern regions of North habitats (28). Peatland habitats might be America. Few of the rare plant species particularly at risk with climate change in Cook County have primarily southern if conditions for peat-formation and CLOCKWISE FROM TOP or western geographic distributions. maintenance are altered. WINTERGREEN © J. TAFT Increased climatic warming likely will THISMIA © P. MARCUM pose additional stresses on many species. BLUEBEAD © J. TAFT Northern species at their southern limits TWINFLOWER © J. TAFT in Cook County may already occur 32 SECTION 3 NATURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY

WOODY ENCROACHMENT IS THE BIGGEST THREAT TO ILLINOIS T&E SPECIES IN COOK COUNTY

THREATS AND MANAGEMENT CONCERNS Seventy-four percent of threatened FIGURE 3.7 PERCENT OF THREATENED AND and endangered species known from 6% ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES FACED WITH Cook County were identified as having REPRODUCTIVE LIMITATIONS EACH MANAGEMENT CONCERN at least one management concern and 44 percent have multiple management 14% concerns. Woody encroachment (fire- DISTURBANCE intolerant shrubs and trees spreading 52% into prairies and savannas) resulting from WOODY ENCROACHMENT insufficient management with prescribed 22% HYDROLOGY fire is the single greatest threat, recorded for 52 percent of species (Figure 3.7). T&E PLANTS: Competition from invasive species is MANAGEMENT specifically a management concern CONCERNS for 34 percent of species, although far greater numbers could potentially be impacted by invasive species. Threats 22% DEER BROWSE from animal browsing, primarily white- tailed deer, were identified for 22 percent 34% of species; 22 percent of species also INVASIVE SPECIES were recognized as having management concerns related to altered water resources. Six species (4.5 percent) were identified with known reproduction challenges, including self-incompatibility elsewhere, could lead to reproductive to disturbance. For example, many and/or pollinator limitations, but this may failure for some plant species. aquatic or wetland species are intolerant be an underestimate. Disruption of timing of reduced water quality (pollution or of flowering and pollinator activity by Fourteen percent of species were siltation). Some species of sand dunes climate change, which has been observed identified as being particularly sensitive or beaches require a certain level of NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 33

disturbance to limit competition but are and degradation and it is no surprise that LEFT TO RIGHT at risk when disturbance is too great. One so many plant species are threatened or DOGWOOD ENCROACHMENT © C. BENDA species associated with cliff habitat could endangered in Cook County. PURPLE FRINGED ORCHID © C. BENDA be prone to disturbance from climbing INDIAN CUCUMBER-ROOT © J. TAFT activities and another may be threatened MONITORING PROGRAMS The Chicago ROYAL CATCHFLY © J. TAFT by trailside trampling. Botanic Garden coordinates a program of population monitoring for species of A developing management concern is conservation concern, including many global climate change. Optimal climate threatened and endangered species. for many plant species is expected Most species with adequate monitoring to shift northward. Although assisted data (minimum of 5 years) show no migration (intentional movement of significant changes in their populations. plants) might be considered in some However, significant declines were cases, site restoration and management identified for 14 populations among 9 remains the frontline for conserving species, and significant increases were biodiversity at the local scale. identified for 15 populations among 12 species. Forest Preserve staff also Additional contributing factors for rarity monitors plant species of conservation among threatened and endangered concern and adjusts their management plant species in Cook County and the efforts when they see deleterious forest preserves include limited habitat changes in the habitat. Continued (naturally infrequent or small total monitoring is required to minimize the area), species that are naturally scarce chance that populations or entire species (typically occur infrequently and in small are lost from Cook County and the forest population sizes), and species distant preserves. from their primary ranges. Exploitation and collecting is a concern for many species, particularly orchids. Overlay these factors with extensive habitat loss 16 AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES ARE OF CONSERVATION CONCERN IN COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 35

SPECIES EXTIRPATED FROM THE Two species, the eastern box turtle and Amphibians and Reptiles FOREST PRESERVES The eastern hog- the mudpuppy, appear to no longer nosed snake, four-toed salamander, occur on the forest preserves although in Cook County massasauga, six-lined racerunner, slender they may still be found elsewhere in glass lizard, spotted turtle, and western Cook County. Establishing the status he first list of amphibians and reptiles ribbonsnake are likely no longer found of the eastern box turtle is problematic T for Cook County, and indeed for any in Cook County. Of these, only the because of the difficulty in distinguishing part of Illinois, was compiled by Robert massasauga was historically known to be among native populations and released Kennicott in 1855. Many additional lists widespread in Cook County, including on pets. Nevertheless, so few individuals have been prepared since then, the FPCC preserves. The Eastern Massasauga have been encountered in or near FPCC most recent being Tom Anton’s “Current Recovery Plan and agreements between preserves that resources are best directed Distribution and Status of Amphibians the FPCC, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife at other species. The mudpuppy is known and Reptiles in Cook County, Illinois,” Service, and the Illinois Department of from recent Cook County records and published in 1999. Anton’s publication Natural Resources will direct conservation viable populations remain, but not on and subsequent report to the FPCC measures for this species. There is FPCC preserves. In addition, there is included all of Cook County, but field a captive breeding program for the likely no suitable habitat available on surveys were conducted at 80 forest massasauga, and both the Lincoln Park FPCC sites. preserves over three field seasons (1995– Zoo and the Brookfield Zoo are partners. 1997). This remains the most authoritative Because the other six of these species account of the amphibians and reptiles were never a major part of the fauna of on the FPCC holdings to date. Cook County, it is questionable whether resources should be directed toward their Anton identified the historical number of conservation. The slender glass lizard species in Cook County as 18 amphibians may still be found in the forest preserves and 28 reptiles. Of these, he documented and may even be encountered in future 13 species of amphibians and 19 species surveys, but numbers of individuals are of reptiles in the forest preserves, but likely so low that extreme intervention stressed the possibility that other species would be required to establish viable TOP TO BOTTOM known from Cook County may be found populations. FOUR-TOED SALAMANDER © J. MUI in future surveys of FPCC holdings. WESTERN RIBBONSNAKE © M. DRESLIK Anton’s publication and unpublished report were used as the basis of this report, but all original museum and photo records were double-checked and records subsequent to Anton’s reports were added.

Of the 32 species known from the forest preserves, exactly half appear to be doing relatively well. This section focuses on the 16 species that are of conservation concern, specifically those that are listed as endangered or threatened by the Illinois Endangered Species Preservation Act, as Species in Greatest Need of Conservation in the Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Action Plan and Strategy, or as Chicago Wilderness Species of Conservation Concern (see Appendix 2; http://hdl.handle. net/2142/55728).

EASTERN HOG-NOSED SNAKE © J. MUI 36 SECTION 3 NATURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY

SPECIES FOR MANAGEMENT The remaining The Graham’s crayfish snake, Kirtland’s species are not fully understood so seven species, Blanchard’s cricket snake, and smooth greensnake are it is difficult to suggest management frog, Blanding’s turtle, blue-spotted grassland snakes that inhabit wet prairie options. Populations on FPCC sites salamander, Graham’s crayfish snake, or open canopy bodies of water. The have disappeared in the absence of Kirtland’s snake, smooth greensnake, first two also depend on crayfish for food any obvious habitat destruction or and wood frog, historically had wide or shelter. In addition to maintaining or degradation. Current populations exist in distributions and/or more than a few restoring water resources for crayfish, Will County immediately adjacent to the records, including some recent records management activities should include FPCC preserves, so reintroduction is a from FPCC preserves. Monitoring restricting prescribed burns and mowing viable option. should be continued for these species, to periods when snakes are inactive, particularly at recent and historical generally November through mid-March locations and also at preserves with in Cook County. suitable habitat. These species can be grouped into categories based on The remaining two species, Blanchard’s similarity of habitat and management cricket frog and Blanding’s turtle, both needs. rely on wetlands. Blanding’s turtle depends on a mosaic of wetlands The blue-spotted salamander and interspersed with grassland or savanna. wood frog require fishless ponds Management should focus on connecting for reproduction and closed canopy appropriate wetlands with habitat woodlands for adult habitat. corridors. Blanchard’s cricket frog has Management for these species includes experienced drastic declines throughout preventing introduction of predatory fish the northern portion of its range, into small, woodland ponds and perhaps including Cook County. The reasons for CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT removal of fish from appropriate ponds. the decline of this once widespread SMOOTH GREENSNAKE © J. MUI KIRTLAND’S SNAKE © M. JEFFORDS GRAHAM’S CRAYFISH SNAKE © M. DRESLIK BLANCHARD’S CRICKET FROG © J. MUI BLANDING’S TURTLE © C. BENDA

LEFT TO RIGHT WOOD FROG © M. JEFFORDS BLUE-SPOTTED SALAMANDER © M. JEFFORDS

THE WOOD FROG AND BLUE-SPOTTED SALAMANDER NEED FISHLESS PONDS & CLOSED CANOPY WOODLANDS THE SMOOTH GREENSNAKE, KIRTLAND’S SNAKE, AND GRAHAM’S CRAYFISH SNAKE INHABIT WET PRAIRIE

THE BLANDING’S TURTLE AND BLANCHARD’S CRICKET FROG RELY ON WETLANDS 38 SECTION 3 NATURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY

The approximately 70,000 acres managed during the breeding season were from Birds of Cook County by the FPCC provide ample opportunities FPCC sites. Collectively, these results to attract a diverse community of bird suggest that natural areas managed by iven its juxtaposition between species. Despite accounting for about 11 the Forest Preserves of Cook County are G breeding areas for northern and percent of the land area of Cook County, of vital importance for bird conservation. southern species and proximity to a about half of the 340,000 bird records major migration corridor along Lake for the county, mainly collected by the ABOUT CONSERVATION PRIORITY SPECIES Michigan, Cook County is positioned Bird Conservation Network (BCN), have Species of conservation priority generally to experience an impressive diversity come from FPCC sites, including reports are habitat specialists and are found of breeding and nonbreeding birds. of 279 species, 20 of which are state only in one or a few plant community Indeed, 332 species of birds have been threatened or endangered, and 68 of types. Importantly, forest preserves in recorded for the county. These species which are listed as Species in Greatest Cook County are providing a habitat for include 25 of 30 that are currently listed Need of Conservation. Moreover, 34 priority species across a range of habitat as threatened or endangered in Illinois, percent of records for state threatened conditions. For example, wetlands on 78 species that are listed as Species in and endangered species and about these sites provide breeding habitat Greatest Need of Conservation in the 60 percent of records for both Species for numerous state threatened and Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Action in Greatest Need of Conservation endangered species such as black- Plan and Strategy, and 99 species that are and Chicago Wilderness Species of crowned night herons, American bitterns, listed as Chicago Wilderness Species of Conservation Concern have been common gallinules, yellow-headed Conservation Concern (see Appendix 2; reported from the forest preserves. Even blackbirds, and least bitterns. Grassland http://hdl.handle.net/2142/55728). more strikingly, 80 percent of records for areas provide breeding and winter Species in Greatest Need of Conservation habitat for northern harriers, a state and for Chicago Wilderness Species endangered species, and numerous other of Conservation Concern, and nearly species of concern, including bobolinks, half of records for state threatened and Henslow’s sparrows, and grasshopper endangered species that were reported sparrows.

BIRD SPECIES OF CONSERVATION PRIORITY ARE GENERALLY HABITAT SPECIALISTS NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 39

Early successional woody habitats provide Despite the habitat specificity of most In particular, certain species may only a critical habitat for the state-threatened priority birds, and species of concern in be found in especially large tracts of a black-billed cuckoo and other species particular, species that require different particular habitat. The existence of this of concern such as the field sparrow, habitats are not found in different FPCC phenomenon, termed area sensitivity, willow flycatcher, and brown thrasher. sites. Indeed, priority species that are may mean that in some cases prioritizing Wooded habitats, including forests, dependent on wetlands, grasslands, one or two habitat types at some sites savannas, and open woodlands, provide shrublands, and forests may be found may be a preferable approach. For habitat for conservation-priority species at the same site. Although this may be example, prioritizing large grasslands such as northern flicker, red-headed popular with birders because they can may increase the probability of attracting woodpecker, wood thrush, and yellow- maximize the number of species seen on northern harriers, short-eared owls, and billed cuckoo. Moreover, many areas any given trip, this may not be the best upland sandpipers, all state-endangered are providing non-breeding habitat for situation for the birds themselves. species in Illinois. Large forest tracts neotropical migrant land birds, including promote successful breeding of many during migration. Overall, 30 percent species. For this reason, when possible, of non-breeding records were for these priority should be given to creating or neotropical migrants, and 32 percent of restoring large tracts within the forest those records came from forest preserves preserves. sites. Some have suggested that forested river corridors along the Des Plaines River and the North Branch of the Chicago River provide a particularly critical habitat for these migrants, but forest preserves along these rivers account for only 9 LEFT TO RIGHT percent of the total observations of BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERONS © M. JEFFORDS neotropical migrant land birds during the BOBOLINK © M. JEFFORDS non-breeding season. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO © G. SPYREAS WOOD THRUSH © M. JEFFORDS 40 SECTION 3 NATURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY

67 FISH SPECIES HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED IN COOK COUNTY STREAMS SINCE 1995 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 41

Twenty-nine mussel and clam species In response, the total number of fish Aquatic Species in have been recorded in the county (not species observed by the Metropolitan including Lake Michigan), including three Water Reclamation District (MWRD) in Cook County exotic invasive ones: the zebra mussel, the Chicago and Calumet River systems Asian clam, and mottled fingernail clam. has increased from 32 in 1974–1977 to ook County contains 10,200 acres of INHS mussel surveys on the county’s 54 by 1990. In September of 2014, IDNR C lakes and ponds (not including Lake streams between 2010 and 2013 scientists surveying Chicago’s North Michigan), 2,300 acres of swamps and produced 11 species, all of them native. Shore Channel recorded the county’s first marshes, and 576 miles of creeks and Two mussel species listed as threatened ever spotted gar, a species that requires rivers. Included among its major rivers by the State of Illinois, the slippershell clear, vegetated waters. Some mussels are the Chicago, the Des Plaines, and and the black sandshell, were included. have also begun to recolonize. Calumet. Over the past two centuries, humans have modified existing waters Managing to protect these rare species Recent decades have witnessed a and engineered new ones, forming encourages diverse and productive commitment to improve Cook County’s canals, ditches, and reservoirs. Ninety- ecological communities that are water quality and restore its aquatic five fish species have been recorded more resilient to invasive species, plants and animals. To facilitate in the county, not including those from climate change, and water quality science-based conservation of aquatic Lake Michigan and hybrids (INHS fish issues. For instance, native freshwater systems by the FPCC, PRI scientists database). Sixty-seven fish species were mussels provide food for sport fish; in (1) compiled available data on Cook observed at least once in Cook County’s congregations they serve as habitat for County’s freshwaters, particularly their streams between 1995 and 2013 in bottom-dwelling fish and insects; and fish, mussels, and water quality; (2) Illinois Department of Natural Resources they even help to improve water quality analyzed these data to better understand (IDNR) basin-intensive surveys. by filtering out particles and nutrients. the distribution of Cook County’s aquatic resources; and (3) developed The most widespread species included Cook County’s waterways have long recommendations for effective green sunfish, bluegill, white sucker, borne the burden of being within a major conservation action. largemouth bass, and common carp. urban and industrial region. Pollution, These species are tolerant of a wide fragmentation from dams and levees, range of conditions. Other species altered water flow from stormwater showed more particular habitat runoff, and invasive species have all preferences. Northern pike, black dramatically affected native aquatic crappie, and spotted suckers were usually species. (These threats are discussed in encountered in large streams and small more detail in Section 5, Natural and rivers (stream orders 3–5), while grass Cultural Resources Threats and Needs.) pickerel, common shiners, and creek In waters that a century earlier had chub were more common in headwaters hosted diverse and abundant fish and and small streams. Additional sport fish mussels, surveys in the early to mid-1900s that were regularly observed included downstream of Chicago turned up only channel catfish, smallmouth bass, and a handful of highly tolerant species like walleye. Two fish species listed as black bullhead and bluegill. Since then threatened by the State of Illinois, the there have been significant improvements banded killifish and the Iowa darter, are in water quality, largely linked to found in the county. advancing methods of “wastewater treatment.”

TOP TO BOTTOM GREEN SUNFISH © P. NIXON BLUEGILL © P. NIXON 42 SECTION 3 NATURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY

STREAMS AND RIVERS Streams and rivers form connected networks. Many animal species take advantage of this connectedness by moving among different habitats to complete their lifecycles—a place to feed, a place to hide, a place to spawn. In freshwater conservation, it is therefore important to protect a diversity of habitats from small headwaters to large rivers, and to maintain the connections among them. PREDICTED IBI This variety of habitats also ensures that a variety of species with different habitat 8–18 requirements are protected. 19–26 It is also important to consider the connections among stream and river 27–40 reaches (segments of streams or rivers) that allow aquatic species to disperse to new sites. It is useful to consider a reach’s neighborhood, the set of all reaches that, when traveling along waterways, are nearby. Conservation plans can prioritize two complementary actions: protecting good reaches in poor quality neighborhoods (dispersal sources) and restoring poor quality reaches in good quality neighborhoods (destinations). FIGURE 3.8 PREDICTED STREAM QUALITY IN COOK COUNTY Although aquatic fauna in Cook County have been monitored for a long time, only a small proportion of reaches have been sampled. To estimate the conservation values or restoration potentials of unsampled reaches, PRI Analysis of all three indicators suggest permeability, something that can affect researchers examined information for the that most of the streams and rivers of substrates, flow, and other habitat greater Chicago region obtained through Cook County are highly degraded. This characteristics. Among streams and basin-intensive surveys conducted by is most clearly shown by the IBI model, rivers of the same size, slope, and the IDNR and the Illinois Environmental which predicted that 90 percent of the watershed permeability, agricultural Protection Agency. High-quality sites reaches will have IBI scores between land in the riparian (stream- or riverside) throughout the region should share 14 and 29. According to statewide zone increased fish diversity relative to characteristics of stream size, flow, IBI criteria, these streams would be urbanized land. geology, climate, and riparian and considered to be in poor (28–34) to very watershed land use. Thus sites in Cook poor (12–22) condition. Such degraded Like fish species richness and IBI scores, County that are similar to high-quality streams tend to be dominated by tolerant predicted mussel species richness sites elsewhere in the region probably species, with many hybrids and few increased with stream size, and mussel are also of high quality. We assessed top predators. Indeed, sensitive native diversity and abundance strongly three indicators of stream biological species have largely been lost from declined with urbanization in the riparian conditions: the number of fish species, Chicago’s streams and rivers. zone. Unlike fish, however, mussels were the number of mussel species, and an less abundant in high-gradient and index of biotic integrity (IBI) based on the Reaches in Cook County do appear to coarse-bottomed streams. Indeed, most fish community. IBI scores are designed vary in quality. Fish species diversity mussels have difficulty with substrates to measure how similar a reach’s fish and IBI scores showed similar patterns that are either too coarse (unable to community and, more broadly, its of variation. All else being equal, larger burrow effectively) or too fine (get biological conditions, are to reaches waters likely hold more fish species and smothered); the gravel riffles they prefer that are relatively unaffected by humans have higher IBI scores. Higher diversity are most common in lower gradient large but otherwise comparable in natural was also positively correlated with higher streams and small rivers. environment. stream slopes and increased watershed NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 43

Reaches predicted to have the highest Low-diversity reaches accessible to Modeling provides a useful first step fish diversity and IBI include parts of organisms dispersing from higher in identifying candidate reaches for Spring Creek, Poplar Creek, and the diversity reaches are good candidates for protection and restoration. Prior to Upper Des Plaines River. Reach rankings restoration. In this regard, tributaries of investing in conservation action, however, based on fish diversity and IBI often the Upper Des Plaines like Buffalo and sampling should confirm that the species coincided with one another and with Willow creeks and degraded reaches diversity and biological integrity of expert opinion. High mussel diversity within Poplar Creek and other high- a reach and its neighbors have been was also predicted for Spring and Poplar diversity watersheds rank highly for their accurately predicted. Modeling on the Creeks, but the highest diversity was restoration potential. reach scale may also miss localized predicted for some waterways that did quality habitats, such as spring-fed not rank highly for fish diversity: Skokie Already, removal of dams on the creeks about which county biologists Lagoons, the lower Des Plaines River, the Upper Des Plaines has improved river may have important local knowledge, Cal-Sag Channel, Plum Creek, and the connectivity. Removing or modifying but lack systematic sampling data. Field Little Calumet River. other dispersal barriers—such as an studies are recommended to further impassable concrete ramp at the base assess local aquatic resources as well as These high-diversity reaches are leading of Tinley Creek—could help connect to indicate which factors—e.g., dispersal candidates for protection. In addition, and restore native fish and mussel barriers, habitat quality, water quality— some medium-diversity reaches along or communities. Interconnected networks most strongly limit them. If on-site flowing into the Calumet River, the Cal- of streams and rivers do not adhere reconnaissance confirms that the reach is Sag Channel, and the Chicago Sanitary to political borders. Cook County is suitable for conservation, these limiting and Ship Canal are also candidates especially suited to multi-county (and factors should be the targets of future because they are predicted to be the multi-state) conservation coordination management action. best dispersal sources available in their because many of its high priority stream neighborhoods. In the future freshwaters—e.g., Plum Creek and Spring these reaches may facilitate restoration of Creek—lie near these borders and flow nearby degraded waters. into or from other counties. HOFFMAN DAM © INHS STAFF

REMOVAL OF DAMS ON THE UPPER DES PLAINES HAS ALREADY IMPROVED RIVER CONNECTIVITY 44 SECTION 3 NATURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY

52 FISH SPECIES HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED IN COOK COUNTY LAKES AND PONDS SINCE 1980

LEFT TO RIGHT LAKES AND PONDS The FPCC manages FPCC biologists and technicians have BLACK CRAPPIE © P. NIXON 40 lakes for recreational fishing. All of performed fisheries and water quality WALLEYE © P. NIXON these lakes are artificial and include both sampling on Cook County’s lakes for RUSTY CRAYFISH © INHS impoundments (formed by dams) and more than four decades. Nearly 135,000 borrow pits (excavated to obtain road- fish from 35 lakes were sampled between building materials). To establish and 1980 and 2012. Fifty-two species maintain sport fish populations, Forest were encountered, of which 46 were Preserves staff have stocked the lakes native to the region. The top 10 most and improved fish habitats. abundant species accounted for 88 percent of all captured fish, and the top 20 species for 99 percent. Numerically, the most abundant fish were bluegill (18.3 percent of sampled fish), gizzard shad (17.7 percent), and black crappie (15.1 percent). Among six non-native species collected were common carp (6.4 percent) and goldfish (0.2 percent). Sport fish included largemouth bass (7.6 percent), white crappie (3.6 percent), yellow perch (3.5 percent), channel catfish (1.8 percent), northern pike (1.3 percent), and walleye (0.8 percent). NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 45

THE EXOTIC RUSTY CRAYFISH IS CAUSING THE DECLINE OF SOME NATIVE CRAYFISH SPECIES

Recreational fishing lakes are regularly Many of Cook County’s smaller water CRAYFISH No threatened or endangered stocked to supplement the fishery. Since bodies do not hold large sport fish. crayfish are known from Cook County. 1993, the IDNR State Hatchery System Instead, ponds and wetlands in the forest However, the northern clearwater crayfish has stocked Cook County lakes with 1.2 preserves represent some of the more appears to be declining here, as it is million walleye, 675,000 channel catfish, biologically intact waters in Cook County. throughout its range. This is due in part 137,000 largemouth bass, 157,000 They support many smaller native fish, to habitat loss and in part to competition smallmouth bass, and 89,000 northern like central mudminnows, along with with the introduced rusty crayfish. The pike. Several Forest Preserve lakes also diverse communities of invertebrates and import, sale, and transport of live rusty receive rainbow trout from state and amphibians and serve as the sources of crayfish is now banned in Illinois. Still, to private hatcheries during spring and fall many native species to neighboring water protect the northern clearwater crayfish trout seasons. bodies. Protecting these sites is crucial to and other native species, we recommend preserving aquatic biodiversity within the that the Forest Preserves not allow the Forest Preserves of Cook County. use of any live crayfish as bait.

SECTION Cultural Resources of Cook County

Many types of cultural resources are present on FPCC properties—landscapes, structures, and archaeological sites important to our understanding of the prehistory and history of the Chicago area, and the larger Great Lakes region. These locations contain information about how we lived and organized ourselves in the past, and how we used and altered our natural environment. Publicly held cultural resources, and the information they contain, are protected resources to be preserved, interpreted, and enjoyed by present communities and future generations. Unlike many types of natural resources, however, cultural resources are non-renewable; once destroyed, the information they contained is lost forever. The Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan is designed to place priorities on the unique management needs of archaeological sites within the FPCC. The management needs of other types of cultural resources will be addressed in coming years. 48 SECTION 4 CULTURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY Archaeological Sites in Cook County

To date, approximately 1,200 archaeological sites have been recorded in Cook County. About 550 (or nearly 46 percent) of these are located on FPCC property. Even this indication of the importance of FPCC sites is understated as many of the 650 sites located outside of the FPCC have been destroyed by urban development. Furthermore, less than 20 percent of the forest preserves have been systematically surveyed. There is no doubt that FPCC lands contain hundreds of as yet undiscovered archaeological sites.

wide variety of site types are present the long prehistoric period, native people A in Cook County, including small created and maintained connections ephemeral (or short-term) prehistoric with other groups and places throughout campsites; prehistoric seasonal North America. In the early contact habitation/resource procurement areas; and historic periods (ca. 1600–1900 large permanent prehistoric villages; A.D.), the region continued to be the prehistoric earthen mounds; prehistoric scene of important political alliances, burials and historic cemeteries; river religious feuds, population movements, crossings and trails; early historic trading technological innovations, and economic posts, taverns, and inns; pioneer cabins partnerships—events often with global as and farmsteads; early historic stage well as regional implications. coach routes and plank roads; planned parks and gardens; and abandoned Well-preserved archaeological sites are institutional and industrial facilities such present within Cook County, in large part as schoolhouses and mills. because of the nearly 70,000 acres of relatively undeveloped landscapes owned Information collected from these sites and managed by the FPCC. While FPCC indicates that people have been living lands comprise only 11 percent of the in the Chicago region continuously total Cook County land base, this acreage for at least the past 10,000 years. The is concentrated in places that have always entire history of human occupation been most attractive to human settlement in Cook County is represented in the and use—land along significant rivers and archaeological sites preserved within drainages, resource-rich wetlands and the FPCC—from the first Paleoindian backwater sloughs, upland moraines, and travelers who entered the area after former Lake Michigan beach ridges. It retreat of the glaciers, to the German is no exaggeration to say that our best, prisoners-of-war living in barracks on and often only, opportunities for learning Forest Preserve property during WWII. about the early residents of northeastern Of course, present day residents of Cook Illinois lie on lands preserved and County continue to leave behind material managed by the FPCC. evidence of land use, events, and human relationships for future archaeologists to uncover. TOP TO BOTTOM Both prior to and after European ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN THE contact, the Cook County area was a FPCC: 2012 & 2014, RESPECTIVELY © ISAS key transportation corridor connecting the Great Lakes with the mid-continental RECORDING ARTIFACTS FROM THE ED LACE heartland. At various times throughout COLLECTION, ILLINOIS STATE MUSEUM © ISAS NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 49 50 SECTION 4 CULTURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY

PALEOINDIAN PERIOD 10,000–8,000 B.C.

The initial Paleoindian groups that Archaeological sites from this time Paleoindian Period occupied this area likely arrived as small, period tend to be associated with water mobile bands that moved throughout resources and elevated landscapes, both he post-glacial environment of large territories in pursuit of caribou of which were used as transportation T Cook County was a young and herds. Northeastern Illinois generally corridors. Most of these sites will fluid landscape of recently deposited lacks good chert sources for making represent short-term campsites that glacial sediments, immature drainage stone tools. (Chert is a type of stone contained hearths, food remains, and systems, and large, poorly drained areas easily chipped into durable tools with scattered debris left from making or that remained as impounded lakes and sharp edges.) These bands needed repairing tools. However, given the age marshes. We tend to think of Great to have both knowledge of distant of these sites, the most common items Lakes water levels as relatively fixed, but chert sources as well as stable social preserved at these locations will be they have varied dramatically through relationships with groups living in other stone tools and the debris from making time. For example, 8,000 years ago Lake parts of the Midwest and beyond. or repairing them. The FPCC contains at Michigan was much lower than today. But Tools found on Paleoindian sites in least 8 sites with material dating to the in the Paleoindian period water levels northeastern Illinois indicate travel to Paleoindian period. were much higher, with the shoreline and/or trade between distant regions sometimes located as much as 15 miles across the mid-continental United States. west of its present day location, covering low-lying areas of Cook County. During this time, people followed the high moraines and beach ridges in pursuit of game. Impounded meltwater areas progressively developed into resource- rich wetlands supporting a wide variety of plant and animal species used for food, clothing, tools, and shelter. NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 51

ARCHAIC PERIOD 8,000–600 B.C.

migratory birds, and a rich diversity Sites in northeastern Illinois dating Archaic Period of nuts and seeds. New woodworking to the earlier portion of the Archaic technologies and tools appear during this period are still associated with elevated hroughout this period, the climate period, including the first occurrences of landscapes along transportation T and landscape changed considerably axes, atlatls, and dugout canoes. Fishing- corridors and water resources. However, in northeastern Illinois. Prairie areas related tools such as hooks and net sites dating to the middle and later interspersed with oak savannas sinkers are found on Archaic period sites, portions of the Archaic period are also developed across the region, with as are other new artifact types such as frequently found in the uplands away ribbons of woodlands found along rivers copper and bone tools and ornaments, from major waterways, positioned to and streams. Upland wetland pockets, and stone mortars and grinding stones take advantage of important woodland sloughs, and well-defined drainage for processing plant foods. resources. Preservation of a wider systems replaced the large glacial lakes variety of materials is possible on many and meltwater areas of the previous In northeastern Illinois, people began Archaic period sites. Often these sites period. The Lake Michigan shoreline to settle into smaller, more restricted were occupied more intensively, more fluctuated several times throughout the territories, moving seasonally between frequently, and/or for longer periods of Archaic period. Lower beach stages lie larger base camps and smaller camps time. Semi-permanent structures, storage beneath the present lake while higher located near seasonally available facilities, hearths, and cemeteries are stages created a series of ridges that resources. There is some evidence for sometimes present. Generally, a wider can still be seen throughout the metro regional differences in food preferences, range of activities occurred in these Chicago area. tool manufacture, and community locations than occurred at the short-term organization between groups living campsites of the preceding Paleoindian With changes in climate came new in separate territories. Burial customs period. The FPCC contains at least 96 habitats with abundant and varied during the Archaic period are diverse and sites with material dating to the Archaic resources, including new riverine and include group burials, burials within pits period. forest habitats. Heavily used food or earthen mounds, cremations, bundled resources included deer, smaller or flexed burials, and the type we are mammals, fish, reptiles, mussels, most familiar with: individual extended in-flesh burials. 52 SECTION 4 CULTURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY

B.C.

WOODLAND PERIOD 600 B.C.–A.D. 1100

A.D.

Early in this period, people continued By the end of the Woodland period in Woodland Period to move frequently throughout the northeastern Illinois, many groups were year, taking advantage of seasonally living in permanent villages that partially any characteristics described available resources, although there is or occasionally dispersed into smaller M above for the Archaic period some evidence for a slightly greater seasonal satellite camps positioned continued throughout the Woodland dependence on marsh and river to take advantage of specific plant period. However, a number of important floodplain environments. By about 200 and animal resources. However, some technological innovations mark the B.C., the cultivation of native seed crops groups continued to move their entire transition into the Woodland period, became an important supplement to settlements around the landscape on a including the introduction of pottery, hunting, fishing, and nut collection. Plants seasonal basis. Sites dating to the middle development of the bow and arrow, such as goosefoot, sumpweed, and and later part of the Woodland period manipulation of native plant species, sunflower were cultivated in floodplain are often found on blufftops and elevated the introduction of maize agriculture, environments, providing edible seeds uplands overlooking major river valleys, and construction of earthen effigy that could be stored for later use. A on terraces, and in river floodplains. The mounds. Effigy mounds are animal, dependable stable food supply allowed FPCC contains at least 102 sites with bird, reptile, and sometime human- for population increases and the ability material dating to the Woodland period. shaped constructions built above ground to maintain larger, semi-permanent from nearby soils; occasionally, effigies settlements. By at least 800 A.D., maize representing underwater or underworld was a regular, although probably small, creatures were dug into the ground part of the diet for most groups living surface, leaving a depression rather in northeastern Illinois. The cultivation, than a mound. Large midcontinent-wide processing, storage, and consumption of trade networks increased at particular maize and native seed plants is reflected times throughout the Woodland period, in changes in tool types and ceramic including exchanges of raw materials, cooking vessels, as well as changes in finished tools and goods, information, group and village organization. and ideas. NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 53

UPPER MISSISSIPPIAN PERIOD A.D. 1100–1600

The Chicago region contains a number Upper Mississippian period village sites Upper of important and very large prehistoric are frequently found along rivers and village sites, many of which supported large streams, near the intersections of Mississippian Period populations approaching 2,000 prairie and forest environments, and for at least part of the year. These on landscapes suitable for agriculture. uring this period, the Chicago archaeological sites frequently contain Smaller seasonally occupied camps are D region was occupied by agricultural the below ground portions of houses, often scattered along lesser drainages, groups growing corn, squash, and storage pits, hearths, and fortifications, near wetlands, and in upland settings. beans. These groups also continued to as well as burials and above ground Smaller groups occupied these camps rely heavily on hunting and fishing, and earthworks. Upper Mississippian period while hunting game and waterfowl, on the cultivation of native seed plants. sites in the FPCC contain an abundance gathering plant foods, fishing, and The ability to grow and store food for of well-preserved information about what gathering raw materials for making year-round use, and the necessity to people were eating, how they made tools. The FPCC contains at least 100 stay near to and tend field crops, is clothing and tools, the types of houses sites with material dating to the Upper often associated with larger populations, they lived in, how they organized their Mississippian period. large year-round villages, increased families and communities, the nature social complexity and hierarchies, of their relationships with neighboring and sometimes increased conflict groups, how they buried their dead, and between regional groups. Evidence what they may have thought about the for the development of these types of afterlife. communities is present at archaeological sites in northeastern Illinois. 54 SECTION 4 CULTURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY

CONTACT & EARLY HISTORIC PERIOD

The first well-documented European The early European presence in Cook Contact and explorers to enter Illinois were Father County can generally be characterized Marquette and Louis Joliet who, in 1673, as beginning with French exploration Early Historic Period returning from a trip along the Mississippi and trade in the late 17th and early 18th River, traveled up the Illinois River to centuries, British military control in he southern Lake Michigan area was a the Des Plaines River to Portage Creek the late 18th century, and the onset of T heavily populated region immediately (the outlet of then Mud Lake), portaged American homesteading and settlement prior to European exploration and their canoes about 1-1/2 miles across by the 1840s. A number of trading post settlement. Many different native the continental divide, joined the West sites, historic trails, river crossings, and groups occupied the area, including the Fork of the South Branch of the Chicago fortifications, associated with both French Potawatomie, Mascouten, Fox, Illinois, River, and finally entered Lake Michigan and British trading and military activities, and Miami. Social boundaries and through the Chicago River outlet. are located on FPCC lands. Several geographic territories of these groups Marquette and Joliet were following a archaeological sites within the FPCC are shifted frequently throughout the 17th transportation route already well known associated with individuals and events and 18th centuries. Contact-era sites are to prehistoric and early historic native important in the Fort Dearborn conflict of typically identified by the presence of peoples. On this historic 1673 journey, 1812, and the Blackhawk War of 1832. European trade goods like brass kettles, Joliet indicated the ease with which a iron implements, and glass beads. direct water route could be established Often these goods were traded into the linking the Saint Lawrence Seaway and Chicago region long before any actual the Great Lakes with the Mississippi River direct contact with European explorers and the Gulf of Mexico. The critical link and settlers occurred. in this commercial super highway was the Port of Chicago and the Chicago Portage, and later the re-engineered Chicago River, the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 55

A.D. 1600–1870

A series of treaties between 1816 and Immediately following ratification of the Residents of Cook County served in the 1833 transferred what is now Cook treaty in 1835, federal land surveyors Union Army during the Civil War (1861– County from native groups to the United began mapping the landscape, marking 1865). While no battles were fought in States government. Provisions of the out 36 square mile townships, and further Illinois, Cook County held the largest final 1833 Treaty of Chicago granted dividing each into one square mile training camp for Union Army soldiers 1,600 acres of land to Billy Caldwell, Jr. sections containing 640 acres. American in Illinois, Camp Douglas. The camp, (Sauganash), 1,280 acres to Alexander homesteaders and European immigrants located on the south side of Chicago, Robinson (CheCebinquay), and 640 then purchased these surveyed parcels also served as a Confederate Army acres to Claude la Framboise, and their from the United States government, prisoner-of-war camp during the second descendants. All three men were traders often in multiples of 40-acre blocks half of the war, and finally a mustering and interpreters of European and Native at $1.25/acre. By the 1860s, most of out camp for Union soldiers following descent who played important roles in a the property in Cook County once the war’s end. Anecdotal evidence exists number of treaty negotiations. Robinson owned by the federal government had for the presence of additional, smaller is also noted as having assisted survivors been transferred to private individuals; Civil War training grounds located of the 1812 Fort Dearborn conflict. Over some property was granted directly to on FPCC property; however, these the last two hundred years most of the railroads and canal commissions for the suggested locations have not yet been acreage from these three reserves was construction of transportation corridors. professionally investigated. Nonetheless, sold to private individuals, but some The FPCC contains many examples of the FPCC contains at least 31 known sites portions of all three remain relatively early homestead sites, cemeteries, and with material dating to the Contact and undeveloped within FPCC holdings. commercial properties from this time Early Historic period (1673 through 1870). period. 56 SECTION 4 CULTURAL RESOURCES OF COOK COUNTY

HISTORIC PERIOD–WORLD WAR II A.D. 1870–1950

The inception and early development Important events in our nation’s Historic Period through of FPCC management programs were history occurred on property now closely aligned with the policies and managed by the FPCC; above-ground World War II attitudes of Chicago’s early city planners. structural remains and below-ground Along with wilderness preservation, archaeological deposits are present in y the late 19th century, Chicago was a these visionaries worked to place well- these locations. Places and events of note B rapidly expanding urban metropolis, designed “natural” spaces into urban include the Chicago Portage National a place where important social, environments, and to bring city residents Historic Site (described above), Red Gate economic, and political events unfolded out into wild spaces. Many examples Woods Preserve containing the original that both reflected and influenced of early designed landscapes and site of Argonne National Laboratory and larger national attitudes and policies. architectural elements are present within the buried remains of the world’s first Progressive visionaries living and working the FPCC, including the Skokie Lagoons nuclear reactor (Chicago Pile-1), and in the Chicago area—from the fields of and the more recently constructed several World War II German prisoner- architecture, landscape design, social Chicago Botanical Garden. The remains of-war camps including Camp Thornton reform, urban planning, commerce, labor, of many early designed recreational in Sweet Woods Preserve, Camp Pine in and education—often advocated for the facilities (such as ski hills, skating rinks, Camp Pine Woods Preserve, and Camp preservation and interpretation of the lodges and shelters, outdoor dance pads, Skokie in Glenview Woods Preserve. In city’s history and (at that time, relatively walkways, golf courses, ball fields, boat addition to locations listed in the two unknown) prehistory. A celebration of launches, swimming holes, and camp preceding paragraphs, the FPCC contains a collective past was one means of grounds) are still present in the FPCC. at least another 100 sites with material integrating Chicago’s otherwise disparate dating to the Historic through World War economic classes and immigrant II period (1870 through 1950). communities.

TOP TO BOTTOM CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN © ISAS STAFF SITE EXCAVATION © ISAS STAFF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 57

SECTION Natural and Cultural Resources Threats and Needs

The FPCC lands face many threats. The plants, animals, and archaeological sites have to withstand the intensity of human activity in the surrounding urban areas—and in the preserves themselves. In this section we explore the variety of threats and how they can be addressed to protect Cook County’s remaining natural and cultural resources. 60 SECTION 5 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THREATS AND NEEDS Threats Identified by FPCC Staff and Constituents

nalysis of staff and constituent in its own right and also thought to cause digging to illegally collect artifacts, such A input identified invasive species, habitat fragmentation. The stakeholder as coins, found using metal detectors. stormwater runoff, overabundance groups linked the Forest Preserves’ Other less reported issues included: (1) of white-tailed deer, flooding, water ecological problems to several social, lack of public awareness about cultural quality, altered water resources, lack political, and management issues, such resources; (2) urban development and of fire, habitat fragmentation, urban as: (1) improper and/or insufficient expansion; (3) insufficient data on cultural development, and erosion as the primary management activities; (2) political resources; (4) lack of management natural resources issues facing the Forest pressure; (3) small but vocal opposition to and maintenance plans and activities; Preserves of Cook County (Figure 5.1). certain management activities; (4) illegal (5) deterioration due to natural forces Among these issues, invasive species collecting of plants and animals; (5) lack and wear and tear; (6) impacts from and stormwater runoff were the two of public awareness of the importance of recreation; and (7) public access to most commonly cited by the stakeholder natural resources; (6) differences between archaeological resources (Figure 5.1). groups. the public’s and Forest Preserves’ land use values; and (7) limited financial and Many of these perceived threats were Some ecological problems were human resources. observed first-hand by PRI staff and also perceived to be related. For instance, validated by scientific evidence. The spread of invasive species was viewed Knowledge about the Forest Preserves’ following sections describe the nature as being furthered by salt in stormwater cultural resource problems was fairly and consequences associated with these runoff and by lack of fire. Stormwater limited among all the stakeholder groups. issues and provide recommendations on runoff was thought to cause serious However, analysis of stakeholder input how they might be addressed. changes in the structure of water bodies revealed that the major perceived cultural and in water quality and flow. Urban issue is damage through vandalism or development was viewed as a problem

SOIL EROSION

INVASIVE SPECIES URBAN DEVELOPMENT

HABITAT FRAGMENTATION PUBLIC ACCESS TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES NATURAL STORMWATER LACK OF FIRE RESOURCE RUNOFF RECREATION THREATS INSUFFICIENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL DATA VANDALISM ALTERED HYDROLOGY OVERABUNDANCE OF DEER WATER QUALITY FLOODING LACK OF/IMPROPER CULTURAL MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCE MAINTENANCE PLANS AND ACTIVITIES THREATS

URBAN DETERIORATION DUE DEVELOPMENT TO NATURAL FORCES

FIGURE 5.1 RELATIVE FREQUENCY THAT STAFF AND LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND PUBLIC CONSTITUENTS CITED NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCE THREATS AWARENESS ABOUT CULTURAL RESOURCES NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 61

INVASIVE SPECIES OFTEN OUT-COMPETE NATIVE SPECIES

discussed further on page 63, reached ROUND GOBY © W. STACY Invasive Species North America. People also release pets into the wild. Iguanas and Burmese nvasive species are any plants or animals pythons are thriving in Florida, causing I that grow and reproduce quickly and problems to the ecosystem and posing a spread aggressively. Most are exotic health threat to people. species not normally found in the region. In a few cases, invasive species spread to Exotic species often arrive in their new new regions on their own or are driven environment without the animals that eat by natural forces, such as birds that cross them and the diseases that weaken or oceans driven by hurricanes. In most kill them. They can then spread quickly, situations, however, they are moved sometimes out-competing species native by people, often unintentionally. For to the area. They may also cause or carry example, ships carry aquatic organisms disease, prevent native species from in their ballast water or attached to their reproducing, or alter conditions in an hulls. This is how zebra mussels and round ecosystem, such as changing soil chemistry gobies were introduced into the Great or disrupting the food web. Global Lakes. Another way people spread invasive warming may benefit invasive species that species is using wooden shipping crates are more suited to warmer temperatures, that contain plant seeds or insects. This dominating an area, while native species is probably how the emerald ash borer, suffer under changed conditions. 62 SECTION 5 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THREATS AND NEEDS

INVASIVE PLANTS The woodlands and Wetlands are also particularly sensitive These positive responses are largely the forests of Cook County are especially to invasive species like purple loosestrife results of prescribed fire and invasive vulnerable to invasive plant species. and exotic grasses. Formerly diverse species removal, either by the use of Many have become infested with sedge meadows, like those in the Spring herbicides or through hand removal. buckthorn, Japanese barberry, and Creek area, have been completely Both contractors and volunteer stewards bush honeysuckle. Buckthorn is so thick overcome by reed canary grass and are involved. Hand removal is very in some forested areas that the plants common reed. Salt from roadways runs labor-intensive, so augmenting work cannot be walked through. The ground into wetlands, changing conditions so by contractors with volunteers can be is so shaded by the invasive shrubs that a few species, often cattails, dominate. effective. The FPCC has procedures to native plants cannot grow and the ground Many wetlands that once hosted a variety burn brush piles, and many stewards is bare or covered in leaves. Many of the of water-loving plants are now choked full have been trained in the safe application preserves along the Des Plaines River of a single undesirable species. of herbicides. FPCC staff and contractors corridor have problems with Japanese are trained in the application of barberry. On a positive note, intensive Despite these challenges, the Forest prescribed fire, and their burns can efforts by the Forest Preserves, especially Preserves of Cook County are successfully reduce many invasive species to levels through their volunteer stewards, are managing invasive plant species in that allow native species to effectively reducing garlic mustard on many of the some of the preserves. These efforts compete with them. While significant preserves. Regardless of the species, it have protected rare ecosystems and set progress has been made in expanding is important to remove these plants so natural processes back in order. Work invasive species control within the Forest native plants and animals can thrive. must continue across the county to Preserves of Cook County in the past remove invasive species and restore the decade, further expansion will be needed ecological health of native habitats. In to achieve the goals of the Next Century lands under active management, native Conservation Plan, which recommends species are not only present, but also 30,000 acres be restored to Illinois they dominate the species composition Natural Areas Inventory quality, a very LEFT TO RIGHT and even rare and disturbance-sensitive ambitious goal. BUCKTHORN © C. CARROLL-CUNNINGHAM species persist. PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE © M. JEFFORDS REED CANARY GRASS © P. MARCUM

FORESTS & WETLANDS ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO INVASIVE PLANTS NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 63

INVASIVE INSECTS Invasive insects like Japanese beetles that have gradually INVASIVE DISEASE-CAUSING ORGANISMS A the emerald ash borer (EAB) and the moved eastward across the United States sometimes overlooked type of invasive Japanese beetle are eating their way formerly were found mainly devouring exotic species are disease-causing through the forest preserves. These garden and yard plants. In the past organisms. An example familiar to many exotic insects are spreading through several years, they have been increasingly people in Cook County is West Nile North America unchecked by natural found eating wildflowers in the prairies, virus, which is transmitted by mosquitos enemies. wetlands, and forests of the preserves. and can be lethal to humans, horses, and some birds. Because the forest The impact of EAB is noticeable in nearly Both of these invasive insects are preserves are imbedded in an urban every preserve. The standing dead native disrupting native habitats, causing and suburban landscape, understanding ash trees seen around the many pocket opportunities for invasive plants to plant and animal communities and the wetlands and throughout the forests are infest disturbed areas, reducing seed diseases that affect them will be critically a result of the EAB. Although the Forest production of wildflowers, and reducing important to protect their health and that Preserves have actively removed EAB- habitat and food plants for other native of the people of Cook County. Equally killed trees where they would negatively wildlife. No practical means of fighting important will be understanding wildlife impact the public, EAB effects can be these invasive insects are currently movements within the preserves and seen easily at Allison Woods, Dan Ryan available. Until a biological control adjacent areas. The forest preserves are Woods, Deer Grove, Palos Preserves, and measure is developed to fight these an outdoor laboratory that is being used Possum Hollow Woods. pests, their impacts will continue to be to track emerging infectious diseases as evident in the forest preserves. they appear on the landscape. The FPCC and its partners should continue to study, document, and track the presence of diseases that affect wildlife and plants, especially those that are transmitted by insects and other arthropods, to protect the health and wellbeing of the flora, LEFT TO RIGHT fauna, and general public. EMERALD ASH BORER © P. NIXON JAPANESE BEETLE © M. JEFFORDS

THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO PRACTICAL MEANS AVAILABLE TO FIGHT INVASIVE INSECTS 64 SECTION 5 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THREATS AND NEEDS

Stormwater Runoff

hen it rains in the city, water runs W off rooftops, across cement and blacktop, picking up dirt, chemicals, and wastes along the way. This polluted water runs into storm sewers or directly into lakes, rivers, and streams, harming the plants and animals that live in or near them in various ways. Stormwater runoff occurs in cities because rain water STORMWATER PROBLEM AREA cannot soak into the ground as it would IDENTIFIED BY MWRD in natural areas. The more developed FOREST PRESERVES the location, the more stormwater runoff OF COOK COUNTY is produced. In fact, a typical city block generates more than five times the runoff as a woodland area of the same size.

Flooding is the most obvious impact of increased stormwater runoff. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District has identified numerous sites in Cook County subject to stormwater-related problems. Many of these are in forest preserves, especially along the Des Plaines River and some of the larger streams throughout the county (Figure FIGURE 5.2 STORMWATER PROBLEMS 5.2). Flooding drowns native plants IN COOK COUNTY and causes long-term changes in plant communities, often disrupting the animal communities living there.

Erosion is increased by stormwater. In highly developed areas, much of the Stormwater runoff is a major source of Climate change is expected to increase runoff enters underground storm sewer water pollution. After a rainstorm, water stormwater runoff and flooding in the systems that direct water at high velocity runoff picks up oil; grease; pesticides and Chicago region. Just in the past two into streams and channels. As it empties nutrients from lawns and gardens; viruses, years with the increase of rainfall events into waterways with excessive force, it bacteria, and nutrients from pet waste of 2.5 or more inches in a 24-hour period, can blast out stream banks, damaging and failing septic systems; road salt; and communities in Cook and surrounding vegetation, eroding waterways, and metals from roof shingles and motor counties are looking for new ways to washing away important river or stream vehicles. Urbanization increases the reduce flooding and find additional habitats. In contrast, the uneven and variety and amount of pollution carried places to divert flood water. Existing porous ground in forested and grassy into rivers, lakes, and streams, causing wetlands always seem to be the answer areas traps rainfall so that it filters slowly significant harm to the environment. of where to divert the water, and the into the ground. forest preserves are the largest source Material carried by stormwater degrades of wetlands. Yet they already suffer the Water temperature is also higher in habitats. Sediments cloud the water, brunt of the damage. cities because the water runs across blocking the light plants need to grow. streets, rooftops, and parking lots. Once Trash such as plastic bags and cigarette the water reaches rivers and streams, butts washed into waterways is harmful the higher water temperatures can be to fish, ducks, turtles, and birds. Excess harmful to the health and reproduction of nutrients can cause algae blooms in rivers fish and other aquatic life. and streams, removing oxygen needed by aquatic organisms to survive. NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 65

The premise that healthy natural Urban communities and their citizens landscapes are “natural sponges” need to work with the FPCC and state that absorb excess flood water and and federal regulatory agencies to improve water quality is largely correct. alleviate stormwater-related issues. But sponges can only hold so much Scientists and engineers at the ISWS can water before they begin to fail. The assist by using hydrologic and hydraulic forest preserves cannot take on the models to analyze stormwater issues in responsibility of the current flood and stream and river systems and propose stormwater loads, let alone future options to reduce flooding and erosion. increases. Further degradation and the loss of wetlands and other natural habitats in the Chicago region will affect not only animals and plants, but also the quality of life for the citizens of Cook County. This year alone PRI scientists saw these impacts to nearly every forest preserve in the county. EROSION CAUSED BY STORMWATER DISCHARGE © C. BENDA

FLOODING CAN CAUSE LONG-TERM CHANGES IN PLANT COMMUNITIES 66 SECTION 5 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THREATS AND NEEDS

STREAMS AND RIVERS MAY BE FRAGMENTED BY DAMS AND LEVEES

DAM ON DES PLAINES RIVER © C. BENDA better in fragmented habitats, allowing Habitat Fragmentation them to displace native species. Storms, droughts, floods, or other environmental ragmentation is breaking natural disturbances may kill all the individuals F habitats into small areas separated of a species living in a small area. by regions without native species, for Because the area is isolated, it may be example agricultural fields or urban or too far away from similar habitats for the suburban development. Streams and species to recolonize. All these effects rivers may be fragmented by dams and reduce biodiversity. The impact becomes levees, or by reaches with poor habitat greater as sites become smaller and more or impaired water quality. Fragmentation isolated, and the longer they remain often creates difficult conditions for fragmented. It is important to preserve the plants and animals that remain. the largest sites possible and to connect The area may be too small to support them with corridors of habitat that allow many individuals of a species. This can plants and animals to disperse among cause a loss of genetic diversity, leading sites. to reproductive problems or a limited ability to adapt to changing conditions. Area-sensitive animal species, especially certain birds and large carnivorous mammals, may not even occupy a site if it is too small. Invasive species often do NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 67

Only in the past 40 years has fire been The Forest Preserves staff has shown an Lack of Fire reintroduced into fire-dependent habitats increased use of this economically viable in northeastern Illinois. Prescribed fire management tool within the past decade. efore Europeans settled in Cook has now become a standard natural Currently the Forest Preserves retains B County, early explorers documented resource management tool nationwide. four fire crews and supplements that with the presence of fire sweeping the state Fire management increases plant six to 10 contracted crews. Examples of from both natural and human causes. diversity, benefits many wildlife species, preserves where the fire management The vegetation found here at that time reduces invasive species, and creates is currently being used successfully developed from, was adapted to, and esthetically desired landscapes for include the Spring Lake Preserve, Ned depended on a fire regime. As Cook preserve users. Still, misunderstandings Brown (Busse Forest) Preserve, Schiller County became more developed, fire about the vital role of fire, a shortage of Woods South, Che-Che-Pin-Qua Woods, was increasingly suppressed to protect trained personnel to conduct prescribed Somme and Shoe Factory Prairie Nature property and human life. People also burns, questions about appropriate Preserves, Harms Woods, McGinnis thought fire damaged natural resources, fire frequency and seasonal timing, Slough, Spears and Willow Springs a fear that persisted into the middle of regulations impeding use of fire in urban Woods, Sand Ridge, Burnham Prairie, the 20th century. areas, and the need for more research and Powderhorn Lake Nature Preserve, into proper fire management of some to name a few. Still, there is ample natural communities persist. need for more application of burning throughout the preserves, and the FPCC is committed to delivering more—and more effective—burns. PRESCRIBED BURN © J. OCCHIUZZO

FIRE MANAGEMENT INCREASES PLANT DIVERSITY AND BENEFITS MANY WILDLIFE SPECIES 68 SECTION 5 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THREATS AND NEEDS

DEER DISEASES Disease outbreaks Another fatal disease, epizootic Deer Overabundance become more widespread when the deer hemorrhagic disease (EHD), works much population exceeds the environment’s more quickly than CWD. Once bitten hite-tailed deer grazing on ability to sustain it. Large populations by the midge, a flying insect that carries W wildflowers in the woods or of deer become more vulnerable to the disease, deer exposed to the virus bounding across a pasture are a sight disease, particularly if food becomes may die within days or even hours. Large to behold, but an overabundance of scarce. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) groups of deer are attracted to water deer has its downsides. Appearing more is fatal to deer. CWD is contagious where the midge appears. often in the suburbs, a growing deer among deer herds, causing the brains population boosts the chances of deer- of infected animals to waste away. The An outbreak of EHD occurred in northern vehicle collisions, disease and disease Illinois Department of Natural Resources Cook County in 2012, partly because transmission, overgrazing of plants, and reported 59 cases of CWD statewide in of the especially hot and dry summer. spread of invasive species. 2014. Thus far, 13 counties have been The Forest Preserves of Cook County affected by the disease. Cook County reported about 90 deer that had died DEER-VEHICLE COLLISIONS Cook County has had no cases detected, but CWD from the disease. Since EHD is so lethal, has the most deer-vehicle collisions has been reported in adjoining Kane, it can have a large effect on the deer in the state, with 460 in 2012 alone, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. When population locally, particularly at high according to the Illinois Department of there are large populations of deer in one population densities. An outbreak usually Transportation. An increasing number place the likelihood of CWD spreading ends in the fall when the frost kills off the of vehicle accidents happen when deer increases. infected insects. adapt to living in suburbs and cities and their populations grow, or when the number of vehicles on roadways increase. In addition, forest areas and streams, such as those in the forest preserves, are ideal locations for deer to seek shelter WHITE-TAILED DEER © M. JEFFORDS and forage, increasing the likelihood of them straying onto adjacent highways. RUNNING WHITE-TAILED DEER © C. BENDA

70 SECTION 5 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THREATS AND NEEDS

EATING HUMAN FOODS MAY CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS FOR DEER

LEFT TO RIGHT OVERGRAZING BY DEER As deer herds Still, feeding deer and other wild animals DEER EATING CORN COB © C. BENDA grow, there may be too many deer and the foods that we eat is no solution, and DOE AND FAWN © M. JEFFORDS not enough food. Their large numbers can be very harmful. Our foods contain DEER AT BUNKER HILL © C. BENDA pose a risk to themselves and to plants preservatives and other chemicals which and animals. Deer are hearty eaters; you may cause serious health problems in can tell when a forest has too many deer deer. Also, wildlife may lose their fear because a “browse line” can be seen. of humans, becoming a nuisance in All the plants are eaten as high up as recreational areas. For the best nutritional the deer can reach. When they eat all value, deer should eat the foods they find the plant undergrowth, they remove the naturally in the forest preserves. covering that serves as nesting spots for ground-nesting birds and cover for frogs and salamanders. Overpopulated deer herds can also reduce the number of woody plants and increase the crop damage for Illinois nurseries and gardeners. When too much plant material is removed, deer no longer have an adequate supply to sustain the herds. Starvation can result. NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 71

DEER MANAGEMENT White-tailed deer To date there are no safe or practical The FPCC has implemented a limited are particularly abundant in the Forest non-lethal methods available to natural deer management program employing Preserves of Cook County and are often resource agencies for managing deer sharpshooters in a few preserves, and the a point of interest to preserve visitors. overabundance. Contraception methods results of these efforts are both obvious However, as a result of the increasing either require repeat captures of and significant. The native flora and population size and limited management individuals, which is impractical, or large fauna of these areas are in much better measures, deer are seriously impacting doses of contraceptives that would pose condition than areas where management the native wildflowers and shrubs the a health risk if a treated animal were efforts have not been used. Deer-vehicle forest preserves were created to protect. somehow eaten by humans, dogs, or collisions are also reduced in these areas. Browse lines within the forested sites and coyotes. Moving deer to another location Furthermore, deer are healthier in these damage to wildflowers are observed in is not practical because no enclosed areas. However, to achieve the goals nearly every preserve. The loss of the facilities are available to take them, and it will be necessary to expand current native vegetation leads to additional movement of deer and release to the efforts. Such an expansion will require concerns such as increases in invasive wild is not allowed by the State of Illinois developing and initiating an extensive plants deer find unpalatable, soil erosion because of documented high levels of public education and engagement from denuded herb layers, and decreases subsequent deaths and the potential for strategy with a special focus on in nesting success for ground-nesting disease transfer, for example CWD. Gun neighboring landowners. birds. It also may increase the incidence hunting is not allowed in Cook County of Lyme disease, which is transmitted by and, due to high human population deer ticks. densities, unlikely to ever be allowed. Bow hunting has only been shown to be effective in managing deer populations in very limited situations. 72 SECTION 5 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THREATS AND NEEDS

The Cook County ban on hunting was In response to concerns expressed by Poaching, Collecting, originally enacted to protect wildlife in staff and constituents over the poaching forest preserves. But Cook County is also of legally protected or rare plants and Looting, and Vandalism one of the top counties in the state for animals and the looting of archaeological the number of endangered plants and sites, Forest Preserves police should NATURAL RESOURCES Hunting, trapping, animals, and the law is designed to also receive additional education about and the taking of anything wild are protect these species from disappearing. protecting natural and cultural resources. illegal in the Forest Preserves of Cook Poaching robs future generations from It is understandable that in a county with County. Yet poaching, the illegal taking enjoying endangered species. Poaching as large a population as Cook County, or possession of game and non-game also decreases business and government the majority of law enforcement’s time animals, fish, and other resources, is revenues generated by licensed will focus on managing visitor usage, a serious problem. Most poachers are sportsmen and women. traffic, and responding to emergencies; professional hunters with high-tech in other words, general policing. It has equipment, but they also include those CULTURAL RESOURCES Archaeological been suggested that balancing general who gather a bouquet of wildflowers to resources on FPCC lands are publically policing and conservation policing take home. Forest Preserve resources held, non-renewable resources. State responsibilities, exercising discretion in most often poached are deer antlers or and federal laws protect these cultural enforcement, and educating the public meat, owls and falcons, salamanders, resources, and there are stiff penalties for about the impacts of poaching can deter frogs, turtles, and snakes, and morel looting or disturbing archaeological sites. poaching without increasing poacher mushrooms, orchids, wild onions, leeks, Individuals and groups with an interest in defiance. The same can be expected with and ginseng, all of which can be sold for illegally “digging for treasure” sometimes cultural resource policing and education. a profit. find and remove artifacts from sites within the FPCC. Metal detecting on, and Providing FPCC police with information The number of animals killed by poachers removing artifacts from, FPCC lands is about vulnerable plant and animal every year is unknown, but estimates also illegal. The activity of digging within populations and archaeological sites, show that in some places poachers can site areas destroys important information and about the tools and techniques take as much fish and game as licensed contained in the context of the found used by poachers and looters could hunters and fisherman do during the artifact; for example, what other materials contribute to deterring poaching and legal seasons. Areas that poachers were located nearby? How deep was looting without significantly impacting use the most are those that are least the item? While the loss of artifacts the general policing responsibilities accessible to the public, the more themselves is a significant problem, of Forest Preserves police. Much of secluded areas farthest from roads. it is even more troubling that through this training could come from FPCC Forest Preserve police occasionally find looting, metal detecting, and vandalism, conservation staff, Prairie Research deer stands, bait traps, or other signs that our community loses the ability to learn Institute staff, or Illinois Department of deer and other wildlife have been killed about Chicago’s past. Natural Resources conservation police. or caught. Based on the results of these initial RESOURCE POLICING Forest Preserves initiatives, a better informed decision police rely on citizens to help catch could be made concerning the necessity poachers. The IDNR has a “Target Illinois of increasing the number of FPCC police Poachers” program to encourage citizens or creating specialized conservation who witness poaching to report the police units to address poaching and violation. Information can be reported looting. Applications of field sensor and to a toll-free number or by e-mail to the remote-sensing technologies could also IDNR. If Forest Preserve police or other be employed to protect high-priority law enforcement officers issue citations, archaeologic sites and legally protected offenders may face a court appearance populations of plants and animals. and a fine for stealing natural resources.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT GINSENG © D. BUSEMEYER YELLOW MOREL © D. RUFFATTO EASTERN BOX TURTLE © M. JEFFORDS TAKING ANYTHING WILD IS ILLEGAL IN THE FPCC 74 SECTION 5 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THREATS AND NEEDS

WATER LEVEL CHANGES IN WETLANDS CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF RARE SPECIES

MAN-MADE DITCH © C. BENDA These changes in water levels create Altered Water Balance opportunities for invasive plant species and aggressive low-quality native plants in Wetland Habitats to completely change the diverse native plant cover and cause the loss of rare he Forest Preserves have many native wildlife species that depend on T unique wetland habitats because of these habitats. The need to recognize the types of glacial soils present, stable and correct sites with altered water ground and surface water sources, and resources is a critical issue that should the native vegetation that depends be addressed to save some of the on them. Fens, seeps, wet prairies, oldest wetlands in northeastern Illinois. flatwoods, and marshes all provide All the forest preserves are affected by specialized habitats for many rare plant this ecological issue, notably Beaubien and animal species. Altering the water Woods, Cap Sauers Holding, Deer Grove balance creates catastrophic changes West, Harms Woods, Kickapoo Woods, within these habitats. These changes Palos Preserves, Sand Ridge Nature may result from simply creating a shallow Center, Thatcher Woods, Tinley Creek ditch, not removing old drainage tiles, Ravines, and Watersmeet Woods, to raising the height of a trail to keep it from name a few. flooding, diverting water from stormwater runoff into wetlands, or creating a series of drainage ways to reduce mosquito populations. NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 75

While heavy rainfall occurrences are Erosion can also damage cultural Soil Erosion increasing with climate change, the resources. Important archaeological other associated actions influencing sites are often located along rivers he majority of the forest preserves are erosion are human-caused. Two of the and streams. Erosion along riverbanks T located on glacial ridges or moraines more common and most destructive cuts into archaeological deposits, dissected by the Des Plaines River, the actions noted were the diversion of leaving artifacts and information to North Branch of the Chicago River, and stormwater from both within and off flow downstream and be redeposited, the now channelized Calumet River, as preserve land and the creation and use meaning this information is now out of well as their tributaries. The soils making of unofficial trails, mainly by mountain context in another location. Flooding up the ridges are considered young in bikers or equestrians, on steep slopes events scour and destroy archaeological “soil age” in their development and or near bluff edges. A combination of site landscapes, as well as cover over depth and often cover thick deposits of education and enforcement should be sites located on stream terraces. The rate glacial till, gravel, and sand. With the employed to minimize the creation and of erosion and flooding along drainages steepness of the slopes created by the use of unofficial trails. Other actions that in the FPCC is increasing along with the rivers, soil erosion may occur rapidly and increase erosion within the preserves are intensity and frequency of stormwater sometimes severely when the integrity ATVs, recreational or other development run-off events within the Chicago of the soils’ water-holding capacity is in sensitive areas, and poorly engineered region. The effects of stormwater compromised by some action other structures unable to handle drainage control measures on downstream and than normal rainfall. Once the protective problems. Existing water control structure upstream archaeological sites within the mantle of soil is washed away, the loosely maintenance is too often lacking. FPCC should be considered in the early consolidated layers of sand, gravel, and Preserves with erosional issues include planning stages of these programs. till may erode very quickly. The sediment Che-Che-Pin-Qua Woods, Deer Grove then washes into streams, rivers, and West, LaBagh Woods, Paddock Woods, wetlands, damaging them and the plants Red Gate Woods, Schiller Woods, and animals that live there. Swallow Cliff Woods, Sweet Woods, and Tinley Creek Woods. RIVER BANK EROSION © C. BENDA

SOIL EROSION CAN DAMAGE NATURAL HABITATS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES CHLORIDE IS TOXIC TO MOST FRESHWATER ORGANISMS

INCREASED CHLORIDE LEVELS FAVOR LOW-QUALITY, CHLORIDE-TOLERANT SPECIES NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 77

A recurring problem for Chicago has Confident identification of long-term Water Pollution been combined sewer overflows— trends in water quality was complicated flooding events during which a mixture by year-to-year variability in driving eavy urbanization in the Chicago of runoff and raw sewage overflows factors like temperature and precipitation. H region has impacted water quality directly into surface waters. The Still, between 2000 and 2012, many in lakes and rivers. Wastewater, which Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s measured water characteristics— comprises about 70 percent of flow in the (MWRD) Tunnel and Reservoir Project including nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfate, Chicago River, contributes to increased increases storage capacity to reduce the total organic carbon, fecal coliform nutrients. According to the National incidence of combined sewer overflows. bacteria, and suspended solids—showed Atmospheric Deposition Program, In addition, the MWRD has recently general patterns of decline, indicating nitrate levels in the Chicago region adopted disinfection measures at its improved water quality. are among the highest in the nation. Calumet and O’Brien Water Reclamation Elevated nutrients can choke waterways Plants. Furthermore, many municipalities A notable exception was chloride. with overgrowths of algae and aquatic are separating sewerage systems from Seasonally, chloride concentrations plants, whose night-time respiration and stormwater systems. (However, this is in surface water peak during winter eventual decomposition reduce oxygen increasing stormwater discharge directly (December–March) when road salt levels and occasionally cause fish kills. into streams and rivers, increasing the risk (mostly NaCl) is applied to keep drivers of flooding and erosion.) safe by melting snow and ice. Even after Waterways receive contaminants of correcting for these seasonal patterns, all kinds from their surroundings. Certainly since the early 1900s, when chloride increased in Chicago waterways Pharmaceuticals and personal care the Chicago River operated as an open between 2000 and 2010. Concentrations products are prevalent in urban waters. sewer, water quality in Cook County has did show a sharp decline in 2011–2012 These pollutants derive from prescribed improved. More recently, the EPA found when the city recorded its 9th warmest and over-the-counter drugs, and from that concentrations of ammonia and winter ever. However, 2013–2014 fragrances, lotions, and cosmetics. pesticides decreased between 1991 and witnessed the 3rd coldest winter on Pesticides and fertilizers are most 2001 across urban areas of the Upper record, and road salt applications commonly associated with agriculture, Illinois River Basin. To determine if this returned to high levels. but they are also applied to urban lawns trend has continued, researchers at the and gardens. Apply too much or too PRI looked at data collected by the Chloride is toxic to most freshwater often and the excess is washed into MWRD, which monitors water quality in organisms, so elevated concentrations receiving waters. the Chicago area. They used data from can have major impacts on aquatic flora 68 sampling sites for the period 2000– and fauna. Even at levels that are not 2012. completely toxic, it can prompt changes in plant and animal communities, favoring Spatially, water quality was better in chloride-tolerant species like cattails and watersheds with less urban land use. bullfrogs over most other species. But Downstream reaches accumulate because road salt plays an important pollutants from their entire drainage role in transportation safety and its basin. The effects of wastewater inputs alternatives are costly, its use is unlikely to were particularly noticeable. For example, be curtailed. Consequently, high chloride high concentrations of phosphorus concentrations may hamper the success occurred downstream of the Calumet of conservation projects. and Hanover Park Water Reclamation Plants. Today’s water treatment methods alleviate the worst offences, but they cannot make the city’s waste disappear.

TOP TO BOTTOM AMERICAN BULLFROG © M. JEFFORDS COMMON CATTAIL © P. MARCUM 78 SECTION 5 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THREATS AND NEEDS

Many relatively passive uses of FPCC Habitat and landscape restoration Development, lands also have the potential to disturb activities such as invasive species archaeological sites and damage natural removal, burning, dam removal, Recreation, and Habitat habitats. Activities such as horseback trail repair, and historic dump clean- riding, mountain biking, and even up sometimes cause direct ground Restoration Activities hiking can disturb the upper layers of disturbance to archaeological sites. archaeological deposits. These activities Sometimes they can actually enhance onstruction of roads, parking sometimes damage plant communities the preservation of sites by lessening C lots, walkways, picnic shelters, and increase damaging erosion. secondary issues of erosion or flooding. restrooms, tennis courts, ball diamonds, Continual use of access points for fishing Clearing invasive species vegetation model airplane fields, campgrounds, and boating along the banks of rivers on archaeological sites can make the canoe launches, underground utilities, and lakes can disturb the upper layers of area more visible to the public and less and other development projects all archaeological deposits as well. attractive to potential looters. include at least some degree of ground disturbance. These activities have the potential to destroy natural habitats and archaeological sites.

GROUND DISTURBANCE FROM DEVELOPMENT, RECREATION, AND HABITAT RESTORATION ACTIVITIES MAY DAMAGE OR DESTROY NATURAL HABITATS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 79

Appropriate planning and consultation impacts from existing facilities to sites. Even the 550 known sites are can help minimize damage from reduce the unintended destruction of poorly understood because less than one development, recreation, and habitat archaeological sites. Natural and cultural quarter of them have been investigated restoration. Forest Preserves staff resource preservation efforts should be in any systematic way by professional responsible for construction or coordinated to ensure that the needs of archaeologists. This lack of knowledge recreational projects should work with both resource types are met successfully. hinders planning and makes it hard to natural resource managers to determine protect cultural resources. The Forest if proposed locations are compatible A fundamental challenge is that, as a Preserves should support systematic with habitat management goals. general rule, archaeological sites on archaeological surveys of the forest Systematic archaeological investigation the Forest Preserves are poorly known. preserves and evaluation of known sites. of all proposed development areas We know that most of the FPCC land should be completed well in advance of holdings coincide with landscapes that setting project budget and construction were often the most desired spots for schedules so development projects human settlement and use throughout can be redesigned if needed to protect the past 10,000 years, yet approximately important archaeological sites. Forest 80 percent of FPCC lands have never Preserves staff should also consult been systematically investigated by professional archaeologists regarding professional archaeologists. There is no appropriate placement of future doubt that FPCC lands contain hundreds recreational facilities and monitor of as yet undiscovered archaeological LEFT TO RIGHT RECREATIONAL TRAIL DAMAGE © C. BENDA TRASH IN FOREST PRESERVE © C. BENDA GARLIC MUSTARD, AN INVASIVE SPECIES © D. BUSEMEYER 80 SECTION 5 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THREATS AND NEEDS

Climatologists also predict more extreme In some cases, natural groundwater-fed Climate Change weather in the Chicago region. Increased wetlands like seeps, sedge meadows, frequency and intensity of “abnormal and fens have blowouts within the limate change is a term we hear weather events” have already been organic soil they grow on due to extreme C about in the news frequently documented in Cook County and their water pressure caused by the rain because it threatens the quality of life impacts have been observed within some events. These blowouts then lower water for humans and the survival of many of the forest preserves. The immediate levels within the wetland, causing drier plants and animals. Climate change impacts are caused by single storm conditions. This invites the invasion of refers to major changes in temperature, events, multiple catastrophic weather shrubs and exotic plants and reduces the precipitation, wind patterns, and other events within a single storm event (for natural quality and diversity of the natural effects that happen over time. These example wind shear along with extreme area. changes result in more variable and rainfall), or a prolonged, above normal, extreme climate events. For example, seasonal accumulation of weather events Severe wind events that damage forested many places worldwide have seen such as floods or extreme temperatures. natural areas, from either local storm changes in rainfall, in some places Other potential impacts based on current wind shearing or from more wide- leading to more floods or droughts, while climate change projections may occur spread derecho storms with straight-line in other areas causing wetter winters or gradually, such as hydrological changes winds, are becoming a more common drier summers. Changes in temperatures over specific areas of the county where occurrence in Illinois. Either wind event may lead to more frequent and severe rare natural communities occur. may cause extensive areas of uprooting summer heat waves or earlier springs. of canopy trees in saturated soils or the Heavy rainfall events (more than 2 inches snapping of tree trunks and branches. Climate change affects the entire world, per day) are projected to increase for This was noted in the Sand Ridge and but will also affect plants and animals Chicago by 20 percent over the next Green Lake Woods preserves this year. found in Cook County. Climatologists, few decades and are twice as frequent This disturbance often is followed by the scientists who study climate change, in the Midwest as they were 100 years increased growth of exotic shrubs and are predicting warmer conditions for ago. Increased flooding and faster runoff herbs taking advantage of the light gaps. the Chicago region. The extensive of stormwater will impact the plants and urbanization and industrialization of Cook animals in the forest preserves. In a few Native plant and animal species that County creates a heat island effect that cases, prolonged flooding may briefly cannot survive these new conditions will increases this likelihood. The warming reduce numbers of some exotic plants by be lost from the region. For example, has the real potential to create a number “drowning” them. This is usually only a tree swallows, Baltimore orioles, and of environmental issues within the forest temporary reprieve and the flooding also American goldfinches are among the 44 preserves, including increased insect damages the native plants that can often bird species that may no longer breed pests, lowered water tables in critical tolerate only short-term flooding. in Illinois by the end of the century, wetlands and other natural areas, and according to Chicago Wilderness. reduced opportunities for water-based Soil erosion from rapid runoff is Other plants and animals may survive recreation. Climate change also affects increasingly causing damage to wetlands, but become rarer as their habitats plants and insects such as bees and flatwoods, forested ravines, and become more restricted. Efforts to slow butterflies that pollinate them. An earlier floodplain forests. Erosion is aggravated or reverse climate change by reducing onset of spring may cause plants to in many forest preserves by previous dependence on fossil fuels will be bloom before the bees and butterflies ditching activities, improper diversion important to preserve biodiversity in emerge, harming both the plants and the of stormwater (both on and off site), Cook County, as will managing the forest insects. and off-trail abuse by visitors. Forest preserves in ways that promote their preserves where erosion was noted this resilience under changing conditions. year included Allison Woods, Bachelor It will be increasingly important to Grove, Bunker Hill, Camp Pine Woods, preserve a diversity of habitats that are Cap Sauers Holding, Che-Che-Pin-Qua interconnected so plants and animals can Woods, Dan Ryan Woods, Deer Grove, find locations that meet their needs. Green Lake, McClaughrey Spring Woods, National Grove, Paddock Woods, Paw Paw Woods, Pioneer Woods, Red Gate Woods, Salt Creek Woods, Sand Ridge, Sauk Trail Woods, Sidney Yates Flatwoods, Swallow Cliff Woods, Sweet Woods, Thatcher Woods, Tinley Creek Woods, Watersmeet Woods, and Yankee Woods. AMERICAN GOLDFINCH © S. POST SOME BIRD SPECIES MAY NO LONGER BREED IN ILLINOIS BY THE END OF THE CENTURY DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE

SECTION Integrated Administrative Management

A number of process-related challenges were identified in the engagement process as barriers to achieving the goals of the Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan. They included issues such as conservation planning, monitoring management outcomes, information management, communication, restoration policy development, and education and training. Here we provide recommendations to address each of these issues. 84 SECTION 6 INTEGRATED ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT Conservation Planning

Natural and cultural resource managers must make a variety of decisions in their day-to-day work managing endangered or threatened species, archaeological sites, natural areas, and landscapes. Some of these resources are protected by laws. Sometimes the management of one resource conflicts with the management of another resource. Sometimes a manager has limited time, money, or equipment, and must decide where to invest these resources.

any factors may contribute to any A process called structured decision The objectives and limiting factors M decision, and it is not reasonable making has been developed to identify identified during the workshop are listed for resource users or constituent groups the considerations that must be weighed on pages 86–87. The order of items to believe they should be able to predict when making a decision and to help within each list does not necessarily precisely what decision will ultimately prioritize among them. Employing a reflect their priority. It is clear from be made. However, it is reasonable structured decision-making process these lists that making any management for taxpayers to ask what issues will provides the public with confidence decision is a complex process requiring be considered in making a decision that the best available information will consideration of a wide range of factors. and gain some understanding of the be used in making a decision. While These objectives and limiting factors were relative priority that will be given to it may not allow the public to predict used to identify which lands this Master each consideration. For example, will a the outcome of any one decision, it Plan would recommend as priorities federally endangered species be given should narrow the number of reasonable for initial restoration (see Section 7, more consideration than a Species in decisions that might be made. Integrated Resource Management). This Greatest Need of Conservation? The list of objectives and limiting factors can former has strong federal laws and Structured decision making must take also be used as a checklist to ensure requirements for protection, while the into consideration several categories of that the full spectrum of objects and latter has none. If you must choose “objectives,” and “limiting factors” that constraints are considered when choosing between protecting a Native American constrain the breadth of actions that any management alternative. burial site and managing an INAI-quality may be taken. At a workshop including natural community, both of which FPCC staff, stakeholder representatives, have strong legal protections, what and Prairie Research Institute staff, considerations and processes need to be foundational objectives, outcome followed in making the final decision? objectives, means objectives, and limiting factors were identified for resource management decisions to be made for the forest preserves. Foundational objectives articulate conservation targets or goals, outcome objectives identify future desirable conditions, means objectives define activities that need to be taken to achieve other objectives, and limiting factors are constraints that could limit the likelihood of achieving objectives. ILLINOIS STATE ENDANGERED BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON © M. JEFFORDS

86 SECTION 6 INTEGRATED ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT

Foundational Objectives* Outcome Objectives*

NATURAL RESOURCE OBJECTIVES NATURAL RESOURCE OBJECTIVES • Persistence of communities composed of native species • Halt further extirpations of native species • Sites containing dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves or • Preserve or restore ecological function registered Illinois Land and Water Reserves • Maintain existing high quality communities, and increase • Eventual restoration to INAI Natural Area quality, meeting quality of other communities Next Century Conservation Plan goals • Maintain healthy populations of all species • Endemicity and Rarity • Nested species/community restoration objectives within sites • Globally imperiled species • Promote long-term sustainability • Federal threatened or endangered species • Maximize return on investment by considering ease of • State threatened or endangered species restoration; e.g., prairies and savannas may be easier than • Species in Greatest Need of Conservation as listed in the fens, remnants may be easier than reconstructions Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Action Plan and Strategy • Emphasize large sites because of species/area curve, area- • Chicago Wilderness Species of Conservation Concern sensitive species, and greater resilience • Sites with legal commitments (mitigation site, contractual or • Stabilize soil organic matter in the context of restoration grant obligations) • Buffer restorations • Vulnerable Species Groups or Guilds • Allow public to experience natural sites in compatible ways • Mussels • Adjacency to transportation a necessity • Amphibians and reptiles • Prioritize restoration of sites with potentially high visitorship • Upland woodland plants • Prioritize restoration of sites with high community buy-in • Birds (wetland, especially marsh; grassland and • Retrofit public use areas for nature experience (e.g., butterfly shrubland; and neotropical migrants) gardens) • Prairie invertebrates CULTURAL RESOURCE OBJECTIVES CULTURAL RESOURCE OBJECTIVES • Sites stabilized professionally where necessary • Archaeological sites • Curated artifacts • Human burials • Do no harm • Integrity • Integrated natural and cultural recovery objectives within sites • Rarity and uniqueness • Age • Suites of archaeological sites • Representing a range of activities (village, gardens, etc.) • Integrity • Rarity • Age • Archaeological landscapes • Historic (e.g., designed landscapes, military-related activities) • Representativeness of prehistoric or early historic times • Sense of place • Landscapes that have repeatedly appealed to people

LAND ACQUISITION OBJECTIVES • Low cost • High intrinsic resource quality • High restoration potential • Manageable boundaries • Watershed protection and position • High connectivity • Large size with low edge • Proximity to existing holdings • High public use potential • High educational potential • Availability • Current conservation status or public ownership *NOTE: THE ORDER OF ITEMS WITHIN A LIST • Potential for collaboration with other conservation landowners DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THEIR PRIORITY. NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 87

Means Objectives* Limiting Factors*

• Retrofit forest preserves for hydrologic management • Financial and human resources • Build constituency for forest preserves • Financial return on investment • Increase use of prescribed fire • Sustainability • Manage overabundant wildlife, especially deer • Politics • Expand public engagement on purposes of forest preserves • Populism • Stop looting • Opportunity • Continue guided reintroductions (need to develop policy) • Personnel • Engage artifact collectors • Data limitations • Provide cultural education for law enforcement • Knowledge of hydrologic needs of natural communities and • Reduce plant and animal collecting and poaching ambient water balance • Reduce erosion • Coordination of ecological and hydrological restoration • Manage recreational pressure (mountain bikes, unofficial trails, • Clearly articulated and accepted management policies etc.) • Climate change • Conduct archaeological survey of 100 percent of FPCC’s • Habitat fragmentation holdings • Legal and regulatory requirements • Restore natural history for cultural reasons • Time • Integrate natural and cultural resource objectives and • Area/resources relationship interpretation • Availability of contractors • Number of burn crews • Plant material availability • Seed sources • Contracting process-partners • Lost opportunities • Urgency • Trust equation (landowners/managers/volunteers) • Logistics of partnering (demands on staff time) • Baseline knowledge and consensus on path • Public perception • Law enforcement limitations

FRESHWATER MUSSEL DIVERSITY © INHS 88 SECTION 6 INTEGRATED ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT Monitoring Management Outcomes

onitoring resources and improving outcomes. The FPCC has a We recommend that the Forest M management-related outcomes is long history of monitoring resources Preserves apply information technology probably the area where most resource and outcomes, but the experience of management solutions to streamline the agencies fall short, but doing so is a PRI staff gathering information for this development of resource management critical step in an adaptive management plan demonstrated that the data often plans; schedule management actions, cycle. Adaptive management allows are not kept in ways that allow easy whether to be undertaken by FPCC staff, changes in management approaches access and analysis, hindering adaptive volunteer stewards, or contractors; and based on outcomes of previous management. Comments from FPCC record outcomes associated with those management actions, thereby constantly staff corroborated this observation. actions.

Information Management

The Forest Preserves staff interviews identified that paperwork consumes a significant amount of time that could otherwise be committed to resource management. This paperwork includes time reporting, vehicle management, work planning, site planning, scheduling, etc. There is a need to develop and implement new technology-assisted workflows which capitalize on emerging technologies. This would allow staff to comply with administrative mandates more quickly and efficiently and would also provide an enhanced capacity for numerically tracking human and financial resource allocations to natural and cultural resource management activities.

n response to the 2011 Desk Audit, The resource planning objectives for available or under development across I the FPCC is developing a technology- forest preserve lands, the management the nation that could be customized for assisted time-keeping system and actions planned and taken, and the the Forest Preserves of Cook County. implementing a staff intranet. We outcomes associated with those recommend that this initiative expand actions should all be recorded and into other administrative workflows such made available to staff and stewards as vehicle reporting and equipment electronically. This would ensure a shared inventory, and eventually into understanding of the long- and short- conservation mission workflows such as term restoration objectives. It would also site resource planning. This could then construct a management history that can feed into staff work plans, volunteer inform and refine management practices. management systems, and stewardship There are several such Conservation contracting. Enterprise Data Systems currently

BOTANIST ASSESSING HABITAT QUALITY AT CAP SAUERS HOLDING © C. BENDA NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 89

NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 91 Communication

It is not unusual for any organization to identify inter-unit communication as a weakness that should be addressed. Communication can always be improved, but discussions with FPCC staff suggest that there is a significant need to enhance communication between units. Given the number of sites and facilities housing staff within the FPCC, we suggest the development and deployment of several interlocking communication strategies that could be initiated through the staff intranet under development in response to the 2011 Desk Audit. Notes from routine inter-unit meetings could be posted on the staff intranet, and monthly summaries of unit achievements and future plans could also be made available by providing intranet links via e-mails to all staff. Monthly reports could be used to identify potential content for the FPCC’s public website, newsletters, etc. This principle of “re-deployment” of updates can minimize the actual time committed by administrators in update preparation, while maximizing the reach of that information. With enhanced information available on the staff intranet, it will then become the responsibility of individual staff to keep themselves informed.

he engagement process also clearly One of the challenges in improving professionals are familiar with the most T identified tensions and rifts among relationships between professional staff recent literature and analytic techniques, FPCC resource managers, volunteer and stewards will be promoting a culture and are experienced in designing stewards, and conservation partners. of mutual respect. The successional large-scale restorations. There is much All parties acknowledged improved demographics are such that most staff to be gained by these groups working relations over the past several years, positions are being filled by early- and together, but it will be important to but many cited ongoing tensions. mid-career professionals. The stewards, create forums where they can each Given the ambitious goals of the Next on the other hand, are dominated by an showcase their strengths and mutually Century Conservation Plan for the Forest aging demographic, with many being engage in shared problem solving. It Preserves of Cook County (see Section 7, retired professionals, some of whom is important to encourage FPCC staff, Integrated Resource Management) they possess in excess of 20 years of hands- volunteer stewards, and other FPCC will not be achievable without expanded on experience in ecological restoration. partners to work side-by-side in achieving commitments and cooperation among The professional staff should recognize shared successes. FPCC staff, stewards, volunteers, and and take advantage of the applied partners. experience of the stewards, while the stewards should recognize that many of the resource professionals were trained as ecologists, an emerging discipline that was new 20 years ago. These new

CAP SAUERS HOLDING IS AMONG THE MANY PRESERVES WHERE STEWARDS ASSIST WITH HABITAT RESTORATION © C. BENDA 92 SECTION 6 INTEGRATED ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT Policy Development

uring staff interviews, public policy and procedure. It will be important policy development, educate themselves D forums, and steward focus groups, for the FPCC to continue their efforts to about the FPCC’s policies, and abide by many people discussed and expressed develop policies and procedures with them in their actions. confusion over FPCC “policies” on constituent input, and to communicate things like use of native seeds, brush them clearly in a publicly accessible pile burning, volunteer prerogatives, location on the FPCC website. At the etc. Such things clearly lie outside FPCC same time, it is important that stewards Board policy and within administrative and constituents willingly engage in BIG BLUESTEM, A PRAIRIE GRASS © P. MARCUM

Education and Training

here are a variety of potential the engagement process that most staff Illinois Department of Natural Resources, T opportunities for both staff and and volunteers know little about the or of any number of Chicago Wilderness volunteer training across a broad types of archaeological sites present partners. An aggressive training regime spectrum of natural and cultural resource on the forest preserves, the information would also increase the potential for issues. Natural resource subjects could they contain, their locations, threats to recruitment of early career professionals include restoration best-management this resource, or possible ways to report as volunteers and benefit new FPCC practices and specialized training on or minimize damage to archaeological employees. the identification and biology of specific sites. Training could be delivered by staff groups of organisms. It was clear during of the FPCC, Prairie Research Institute, CIMBY VOLUNTEER TRAINING © FPCC

SECTION Integrated Resource Management

This Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan for the Forest Preserves of Cook County is designed to achieve the Forest Preserves’ mission of conserving natural and cultural resources while promoting compatible education and recreation. It is also designed to achieve the relevant goals of the Next Century Conservation Plan, which are to:

• Restore 30,000 acres to good ecological health.

• …increase the number of acres in Illinois Nature Preserves and Land and Water Reserves to 10,000 acres by 2015 and 20,000 acres by 2025. • At least 30,000 acres will reach Illinois Natural Areas Inventory quality. • Healthy, transitional natural areas will account for most of the remaining 60,000 acres in the preserves.

• Expand the preserves to 90,000 acres.

Cultural resource objectives were not directly addressed in the Next Century Conservation Plan. However, from its inception, the FPCC expressed a strong commitment to the protection, interpretation, and enjoyment of historic and prehistoric sites and artifacts on the preserves. 96 SECTION 7 INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: CONSERVATION PLANNING AND ACTION Recommendations for Conservation Design

Sometimes threatened and endangered species and other species at risk are found “nested” in high quality natural communities, or natural areas. Sometimes they occur in degraded natural communities. Those that occur in high quality natural areas are usually more resilient to threats, so one approach to endangered species management is to restore the degraded community in which they live. High quality natural areas often are more resilient when surrounded by buffers, lands of lower natural quality that physically buffer the effects of development, stormwater, noise, or other human impacts. Archaeological sites can also be nested in natural areas and their management must be factored into a conservation design.

s discussed in Section 5, Natural Although most of these lands are not of achieving those goals considered A and Cultural Resources Threats likely to become part of the Forest most important. Computer mapping and Needs, habitat fragmentation is a Preserves, they present opportunities tools called Geographic Information major conservation issue. Consequently, for cooperative management that would Systems (GIS) are invaluable in mapping connecting preserves by grouping them increase their habitat quality. In this way the occurrences of threatened and and restoring corridors among them is they could provide corridors connecting endangered or other rare species and an important consideration in natural nearby forest preserves. By acquiring land the locations of archaeological or other resource conservation. Connectivity can and restoring linkages among existing cultural sites; overlying the boundaries of also be important in the archaeological forest preserves, many of the benefits of natural areas and cultural resource areas; context because early peoples also used connectivity are still achievable. and identifying potential buffer areas, different natural community types and connectivity opportunities, areas for constructed related sites in a variety A conservation design is a plan that passive recreation (hiking or birding), and of places, for example a village and its identifies where important species, areas for compatible active recreation, associated gardens, agricultural fields, natural areas, and significant cultural such as biking, boating, or picnicking. hunting and fishing areas, and burial resources are located; designs buffers Plans that include conservation designs grounds. Thus archaeological sites for natural and cultural resource areas; that provide connectivity between many may occur in complexes that define identifies areas to be restored for the rare preserves or natural areas across a large landscapes used by humans. species or to be managed to preserve the region like Cook County are called cultural resources; looks for opportunities “Landscape Conservation Designs.” Cook County’s intense urbanization to connect conservation lands with makes it impossible to provide habitat corridors or linkages; and ensures that corridors or connections between all natural communities of all types are the forest preserves in Cook County. preserved close enough to each other However, many of the benefits of to allow animals that need to move from connectivity could be achieved by one to another during different stages in focusing on consolidating lands areas their lives can do so. Like all conservation where concentrations of forest preserves decision-making, developing already exist. Attention should also be a conservation design involves given to areas identified in the Chicago compromises between competing goals, Wilderness Green Infrastructure Vision. but aims to maximize the likelihood

DEER GROVE WEST NATURE PRESERVE © C. BENDA NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 97

HIGH-QUALITY NATURAL AREAS ARE USUALLY MORE RESILIENT TO THREATS 98 SECTION 7 INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: CONSERVATION PLANNING AND ACTION

LANDS INCLUDED IN THE CONSERVATION DESIGN

FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY

FIGURE 7.1 PROPOSED LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION DESIGN FOR THE FPCC NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 99

In 2013 the Illinois Natural History The Illinois Land Cover Map can be used Footprint for a Landscape Survey conducted an Inventory of to identify areas of natural vegetation Landscapes of Ecological Integrity (LEIs) that could provide corridors and linkages Conservation Design that identified tracts of land supporting between complexes of conservation natural vegetation; in other words, lands. Using a Geographic Information o achieve the Forest Preserves’ undeveloped lands that were of a size System, maps of these resources can T mission and the Next Century and shape that could meet the minimum be overlaid to produce the potential Conservation Plan vision, this Master Plan acreages and interior size needed to footprint of a Landscape Conservation recommends a Landscape Conservation protect area-sensitive species. Other Design for Cook County (Figure 7.1). Design that integrates public and private surrogate indicators of potential natural This footprint includes both public and resource conservation efforts across Cook area quality, like the presence of nature private conservation lands, and lands County and into neighboring counties. preserves or federal or state endangered that might be acquired for conservation Major components of the design include or threatened species, remoteness from purposes. The lands in this design Illinois Natural Areas, Illinois Land and roads and developed areas, or presence currently support natural resources of Water Reserves, Landscapes of Ecological of reptilian, amphibian, or avian Species significance. The total acreage of lands Integrity, areas with significant cultural in Greatest Need of Conservation from in the design currently protected within resources, and areas of natural vegetation the Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Action the forest preserves system is 34,830 that can provide corridors and linkages Plan and Strategy were also employed acres, with 13,438 acres not under the among these conservation lands. to discriminate between areas with more Forest Preserves ownership at this time. or less potential for registration. The LEIs To enhance connectivity and consolidate One of the principal criteria for were identified using remote sensing ownership in some regions, smaller, dedicating property as an Illinois Nature technologies, but those identified as more degraded tracts of undeveloped Preserve is the presence of an Illinois highly restorable in Cook County have lands may also have to be acquired. Natural Areas Inventory (INAI) Natural been field-surveyed to ensure that Just over 37,000 acres of undeveloped Area. Detailed methodologies exist for they have the potential to support the lands remain in Cook County outside the grading natural area quality. Grades A targeted resources or could be restored Forest Preserves’ ownership that could and B are considered Illinois Natural to support those resources. contribute to this goal. However, this Areas Inventory quality; grade C lands suggests the goal of having 90,000 acres can be restored to natural area quality. In the course of developing this Master in the Forest Preserves of Cook County is Illinois Nature Preserves can also be Plan, ISAS staff compiled an inventory only possible if land acquisition continues dedicated to protect federally or state of known archaeological sites in Cook at a very aggressive pace. listed endangered or threatened species County and evaluated their significance, and their habitats, or archaeological with particular emphasis on those found resources of statewide significance. in the forest preserves. In addition, Statewide inventories are available for they used a range of site and landform such resources. characteristics to identify other areas likely to hold additional archaeological The Illinois Register of Land and Water sites. Although on-the-ground surveys Reserves was designed to protect the will be necessary to determine if sites are same categories of resources as Nature actually present in these locations, those Preserves, but in addition to protect area- with high potential should be included sensitive species, large concentrations within the landscape conservation of wildlife (like heron rookeries or footprint along with sites of known mussel beds), and restorations of natural significant cultural resources. communities for which no high quality examples exist. Registered lands usually must also be grade C natural quality. 100 SECTION 7 INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: CONSERVATION PLANNING AND ACTION Resource Restoration and Protection Priorities

ecause landscape conservation Setting priorities for cultural resource As previously discussed, management B designs include large tracts of lands, protection must consider compliance with units may adjoin each other or even be it is necessary to prioritize restoration state and federal historic preservation nested within each other. To facilitate efforts on smaller units that are part laws, as well as general resource integrated resource management, large of the design. We refer here to these stewardship. Locations containing human complexes of adjoining management smaller units as “management units.” remains or the potential to contain units from the categories above have Management units may contain a human remains (prehistoric burials, been identified as “landscape units.” The single resource of significance, an earthen mounds, unregistered historic landscape units identified here, together endangered species, or an archaeological family burial plots, registered historic with some smaller management units site, often referred to as “significant cemeteries), are protected by the Illinois supporting high quality or rare resources, features.” Priorities are assigned to Human Skeletal Remains Protection Act total close to 30,000 acres (Figure 7.2). management units based on the rarity, (20 ILCS 3440) and the Native American Collectively they protect the highest sensitivity, and potential for restoration Graves Protection and Repatriation Act quality or most important natural and of their significant features, and on legal (Pub. L. 101-601, 25 U.S.C. 3001 et cultural resources, optimize the return obligations. seq., 104 Stat. 3048). Associated grave on previous management efforts, and goods are protected under these laws promote landscape connectivity. Based Priority for management and restoration as well. Archaeological sites associated on current knowledge and circumstances, follows this hierarchy: with human remains must be the first we recommend these lands as restoration priority for resource protection, followed priorities to address the goal of the Next 1. Dedicated Nature Preserves and by sites or groups of sites containing Century Conservation Plan to restore registered Land and Water Reserves well-preserved information about the 30,000 acres to Illinois Natural Areas 2. Other INAI Natural Areas, including prehistory or early history of our nation, Inventory quality. those that are under recommendation of northeastern Illinois, or Cook County. 3. Lands currently under management Staff from the PRI and FPCC have that could be brought to INAI quality As outlined earlier in this document, collaborated to prioritize among the relatively quickly very little professional field evaluation landscape and management units, 4. LEIs surrounding priority 1–3 sites of archaeological sites or sensitive taking into account information collected and judged to have high potential for landforms has been completed within during the planning process and the restoration and registration as Land the forest preserves. All areas affected by management and restoration hierarchy and Water Reserves planned development or construction, described above. The top four landscape 5. Other sites currently under restoration. heavy recreational use, and/ or units are, in priority order, the Palos ground disturbing habitat restoration Complex (the historic Mount Forest Throughout the next century, lands in projects constitute a high priority for Island between the DesPlaines River and each of the above categories can be consideration. These areas, and any Cal-Sag Channel, together with the high restored from Grade D, to Grade C, to archaeological resources they contain, ground south of the channel; southwest Grade B, and with great effort to Grade will require systematic evaluation to Cook County), the Jurgensen Complex A, allowing reclassification for higher prevent inadvertent loss of this resource. (Jurgensen, Sweet Woods, Thornton- levels of protection along the way. This Lansing, and Wampum Lake preserves; will be the quickest way to achieve the southeast Cook County), Busse Woods Next Century Conservation Plan’s goal of (part of Ned Brown Preserve; northwest 30,000 acres restored to Illinois Natural Cook County), and the Deer Grove Areas Inventory quality. preserves (northwest Cook County). Together, these four units account for about 15,000 of the 30,000 acres to be restored to high natural quality. NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 101

PRIORITY 1–4 MANAGEMENT UNITS

PRIORITY 5 MANAGEMENT UNITS*

FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY

*NOTE: THESE SITES ARE MUCH SMALLER THAN THE OVERLYING TRIANGLE

FIGURE 7.2 PRIORITY MANAGEMENT AREAS IN THE FOREST PRESERVES 102 SECTION 7 INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: CONSERVATION PLANNING AND ACTION

9 8 6

3 7 4

5

1 2

FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY

LANDSCAPE SUBUNIT OR MANAGEMENT UNIT BOUNDARIES

12 13

11 8 1

3 5 6 9

4 2

7

10

16

17 15 14 NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 103

Figure 7.3 illustrates an example of The Forest Preserves initially will The Landscape Conservation Design prioritization among management units focus their efforts on high priority provides a framework for identifying new within a landscape unit, in this case management units across the county. acquisitions to achieve the Next Century the Tinley Creek Preserves. Using the As those sites reach their restoration Conservation Plan’s goal of 90,000 prioritization scheme described above, goals, management activities will shift acres in the forest preserve system. The the landscape unit is divided into a to maintaining high quality on those Landscape Conservation Design also prioritized set of subunits. Each subunit units. The focus of more labor-intensive identifies a significant acreage beyond is then divided into a prioritized set of restoration efforts then will be aimed at the 30,000 to be restored to INAI quality management units. Specific short- and lower priority management units. Sites that should be restored as “Healthy, mid-term restoration goals, and the that only qualify under priority criterion 5 transitional natural areas...” per the Next management tools needed to achieve (“other sites currently under restoration”) Century Conservation Plan. these goals, are developed for each will continue to receive attention management unit. throughout this process, particularly from We recommend that the Forest Preserves volunteers. Volunteers will also have identify sites that offer opportunities a major role in maintaining other sites for compatible recreation, for example that have seen significant improvement mountain biking, horseback riding, and through more intensive, usually contract- other activities, in a natural setting. based, restoration. This approach will The selection process should begin by ensure that high natural quality will be screening sites for lower conservation maintained where it already exists and value. Archaeological surveys and maximize the likelihood that the entire assessments should then be performed 30,000 acres reaches high natural quality on these sites to insure protection of in the next 25 years. those that have significant cultural resources. This is not meant to imply that these or other FPCC properties that are not of high conservation potential should be ignored. In fact, the broader vision of the Next Century Conservation Plan demands at least maintaining the natural quality of most of the undeveloped lands owned by the Forest Preserves now and in the future.

FIGURE 7.3 TINLEY CREEK PRESERVES, SHOWING PRIORITIZED LANDSCAPE SUBUNITS (LEFT ABOVE) AND PRIORITIZED MANAGEMENT UNITS FOR SUBUNIT 1 (LEFT BELOW). TINLEY CREEK PRESERVES © FPCC RESOURCES WITHIN THE FPCC ARE PRICELESS NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 105 Scale of Human and Financial Resources Needed to Achieve the Mission and Vision

The costs of restoring and maintaining the quality of natural areas can be significant, as can be the costs of identifying and protecting cultural resources. These costs are generally higher in areas where the lands are under pressure from development, heavy use, vandalism, artifact collection, invasive species, and other threats. As this report has demonstrated, all these factors are present in Cook County.

he mix between management It is also important to note that over the next 25 years (in current dollars). T undertaken by professional staff, contractors are able to complete coarse, This includes, but is not limited to, brush contractual staff, volunteers, and large-scale restoration work much more clearing, tree removal, prescribed fire, collaborating institutions can also affect quickly than can volunteers. Forest wildlife management, and maintenance total costs. The FPCC has a long history Preserves staff estimate that in 2014 of previous work. These are significant and tradition of utilizing volunteers in site contractors did restoration work on investments, but the resources within the stewardship. These volunteers contribute about 2,000 acres, completing structural Forest Preserves of Cook County are, by many thousands of hours annually and restoration on between 300 and 400 any reasonable measure, priceless. significantly further the Forest Preserves’ acres. However, volunteers are invaluable restoration efforts at a number of sites. for conducting fine-scale work for which A final caution: these costs relate to Their involvement also contributes to contractors are inappropriate, developing natural area restoration and maintenance public support for the Forest Preserves critical site-level expertise that can inform ONLY. They do not include the costs by exposing people to the vital natural the Forest Preserves’ management of properly investigating, protecting, and cultural resources in the preserves. At efforts, and protecting sites by being and curating archaeological resources; the same time, there are costs associated “eyes and ears.” managing visitors; providing and with volunteer programs because they managing recreation; ensuring public require guidance and training to ensure The costs of embracing the Next Century safety; maintaining facilities; or their effectiveness and safety. Meeting Conservation Plan vision of restoring conducting education and outreach, management needs through assistance 30,000 acres to high natural quality can which are all costs associated with the from collaborating institutions (such as be estimated by subtracting the acreage mission of the FPCC. local colleges and universities) requires within the Forest Preserves of Cook oversight, guidance, project review, and County that is already at that quality, then permitting as well. multiplying the remaining acreage by the per-acre cost of restoration. Using the Forest Preserves’ recent restoration costs, we estimate meeting the Next Century Conservation Plan’s goals will cost between $650 million and $1.3 billion

TED STONE PRAIRIE RESTORATION © C. BENDA

SECTION Education and Interpretation

When Dwight Perkins began leading “Saturday Afternoon Walking Trips” through Cook County’s natural areas in 1908, he was using educational experiences in nature to establish a strong base of support for the Forest Preserve idea. The walks were rigorous hikes in prospective preserve locations, with scientists and conservationists often giving lectures during meal breaks. These events exposed people to the scenic beauties of the region, to the accessibility of these areas, and to the effects of development. Through this, the Saturday Afternoon Walking Club brought in thousands of new supporters for the forest preserve idea and inspired them to campaign for its creation. These new supporters were instrumental in the passage of the 1913 Forest Preserve Act that allowed for the creation of the forest preserves we enjoy today. This is a potent example of the power of education to aid in achieving ambitious conservation goals. 108 SECTION 8 EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION Ecological and Historical Literacy

Ecological literacy means having a broad base of information about environmental systems, both past and present. What Americans know about the environment is collected during a person’s lifetime from a wide variety of sources including school, museums and other educational facilities, personal experiences, and the media. A 2005 study on environmental literacy found that most Americans have accumulated an assortment of disconnected concepts and opinions from a variety of sources, some unreliable, and that the majority of Americans lack a true, working knowledge of environmental processes or problems. The hallmark of ecological literacy as opposed to ecological awareness is the breadth of knowledge.

or an example of ecological awareness As demonstrated in earlier sections of individual classrooms and that meet the F versus ecological literacy, consider this report, decisions made by ordinary Illinois learning standards. The Mighty the difference between having a basic citizens, businesses, and politicians Acorns program used by the FPCC is awareness that rainwater often ends up in do affect the health of the preserves. incorporated into class curriculums, rivers and lakes versus understanding the A citizenry who are ecologically and and includes hands-on experiences total water cycle, particularly as it relates historically literate are able to claim and follow-up activities. The FPCC also to one’s own region. In the first case, the ownership of the role they play in the offers free field trips and service project individual’s awareness of this concept is preservation of natural and cultural opportunities to schools. fragmented from the whole process and resources. They are empowered with the does not easily lend itself to inspiring ability to better define their relationship The Forest Preserves of Cook County environmentally conscious behaviors. with the world around them. should continue to offer and promote In the second case, the environmentally these programs. They should work literate person understands the systems Systematic instruction ensures that towards developing new programs that govern where rainwater will end up, citizens have a basic understanding that systematically build knowledge of and because of this is empowered to of natural systems and prehistoric or environmental systems and issues. The consciously choose how to interact with historic events that extends beyond Forest Preserves can also incorporate the system. isolated facts or impressions. Integrating cultural resource education into existing environmental and cultural resource programs, as well as develop new Historical literacy parallels ecological education into the school curriculum programs focused primarily on the literacy. Rather than seeing history as a is one way to build ecological and archaeological resources present within series of distinct, unrelated events, the historical literacy. As recommended by the preserves. True ecological and historically literate person understands the Next Century Conservation Plan, historical literacy takes time, but a goal of how those events are related to each the Forest Preserves should make sure the Forest Preserves should be ensuring other. To reach that understanding every town has at least one educator who that it is within the reach of every citizen requires knowledge about how past can train peers to integrate nature and of Cook County. humans of many cultures interacted the forest preserves. By incorporating with each other and with the natural environmental and cultural resource environment, and why the choices education into the school curriculum, all they made led to the paths of history. students can obtain a comprehensive Historical literacy allows individuals base of information upon which the to better anticipate the long-term nature center programming can expand. TOP TO BOTTOM consequences of their decisions and thus The preserves already play a large role HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENT AT to consciously and responsibly choose in developing systematic environmental SAND RIDGE NATURE CENTER © FPCC their behaviors. education. Currently, the FPCC offers science and nature programs tailored for NATURE LESSON AT BARTEL GRASSLAND © FPCC

HUMAN AND NATURAL SYSTEMS CANNOT BE CONSIDERED FULLY SEPARATE NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 111 Ecological and Historical Identity

eveloping an ecological identity Developing an historical identity means Cook County, a county of five million D means developing an awareness of developing an understanding how people living near 69,000 acres of Forest one’s role within the environment. On a one’s own life fits within the scope of Preserve property, is uniquely positioned map of Cook County, natural areas end at history. By teaching about the material to serve as a model of coexistence clearly defined borders. This designation culture left behind by the hundreds of between natural and urban areas. On can create the false impression that generations of people who have lived a trajectory of increasing urbanization natural and human ecosystems are on this land, archaeology can help worldwide, this model could have a entirely discrete entities. Defined natural people today consider their own material global significance. Particularly in an area borders also mask the reality that culture and what artifacts or marks on the urban setting, environmental education many present day “natural areas” were environment they are leaving behind. This must actively seek to develop an once agricultural fields, developed is especially important today, in a time ecological and historical identity among farmsteads, commercial or industrial of such colossal human-caused changes its citizens, as the human-constructed properties, roadways, military training to the environment. Learning about world of urban life can easily obscure that grounds, and even prehistoric villages. local history and prehistory is particularly identity and degrade the sense of place. Humans in urban areas can be led to important, and should continue to be The FPCC can help develop ecological believe they have little connection to or promoted by the FPCC, because it helps and historical identity in its citizens by effects on natural areas. This is not the people understand that the world of the providing education that emphasizes the case. The preserves are the product of a present and the future is built upon how ways humans interact with and benefit larger, interrelated system that includes their own local environment has been from natural areas, both in the distant urban areas and that is affected by utilized by people of the past. Historical past and today. human actions that occur in and outside identity integrates the place’s history into of the borders of the preserves, both now the lives of the people that inhabit that Experiences in the forest preserves and in the past. Simply put, human and place. It shows them that their choices play an important role in developing an natural systems are entwined. are part of a larger series of interactions, ecological and historical identity. Local including those that created the forest forest preserves put people in contact preserves. with their most direct connections to natural and cultural resources. A visit to It is important to note that having an the Forest Preserves of Cook County can ecological and historical identity is accomplish what a visit to a national park not simply recognizing humankind’s or a wilderness area may not be able to negative impacts on the environment. accomplish. The experience of nature or Recognizing our capacity to interact an archaeological site as something that with an ecosystem in a way that is is distant and exotic, or of wilderness as balanced is essential to the health of pristine and entirely devoid of human the environment. Worldwide trends of activity, can prevent us from recognizing increasing development and population ourselves as part of the ecosystem. growth confront us with the fact that Conversely, the experience of nature human and natural systems cannot be and history as things we are surrounded considered fully separate. Nature should by can help us identify with and value not be seen only as a wilderness that these resources. The Forest Preserves must be kept far away from the damaging of Cook County provide this important hands of human civilization, but as a force connection for the residents of Cook that thrives whenever and wherever it is County. The education and outreach of used wisely and nurtured. the Forest Preserves should continue to help people appreciate and identify with local ecosystems. Programming should encourage people to examine how nature and history fit into the context of their own lives.

SHOE FACTORY ROAD PRAIRIE © C. BENDA 112 SECTION 8 EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION Individual and Community Stewardship

Emotional bonds with natural and cultural resources serve as motivation to protect them. These emotional bonds are not apparent in all individuals and must be regarded as something that should be developed through time and through experiences in nature. Scientific facts about nature, without the context of caring, will do little to help the conservation of our natural areas. Facts about artifacts, without an appreciation of what they tell us about Chicago’s previous residents, will do little to inspire the protection of archaeological sites. In acknowledging this, education in the forest preserves should seek to create an emotional bond with nature and history and to understand the emotion-driven nature of environmental behaviors.

any of the FPCC’s current education conscious behavior is a social act. Preserves of Cook County. The hope is M and outreach strategies already Furthermore, sharing experiences with that a comprehensive plan for education promote caring. For example, programs family and close friends amplifies the and outreach will be created in the offering direct, hands-on experiences impact of experiences in nature. The future, building on ideas introduced in nature create emotional connections. Forest Preserves should continue to by this report and the Next Century Environmental educators establish care in foster a sense of community through Conservation Plan, and inspired by the students through the contagion of their the use of family programs, community FPCC’s history of innovative leadership. own enthusiasm. Service opportunities, events, and regular communications to Environmental education is mobilizing such as the FPCC’s robust volunteer the community. The six nature centers and it can be a catalyst for the next stewardship program, allow people to situated throughout the county should be 100 years of conservation in the forest explore and understand natural processes seen as centers of community. The Forest preserves. directly and inspire the strong emotional Preserves of Cook County is uniquely bond that comes from restoring the positioned to bring communities together land. The Forest Preserves of Cook to work towards shared visions. County should continue to offer existing programs and create new programs that Developing ecological and historical establish an emotional bond between the literacy, ecological and historical individual and the preserves. identity, and individual and community stewardship will build the strongest base When it comes to inspiring of citizens who can serve as allies for the environmentally conscious behaviors, Forest Preserves of Cook County. Though community is key. The belief that one some of the terminology presented is not acting alone inspires individuals here is rather recent, the ideas behind TOP TO BOTTOM to make decisions beneficial for the them are not and can be seen in the INTERPRETIVE SIGN AT BAKER’S LAKE © C. BENDA environment. In this way, environmentally efforts of the founders of the Forest SAND RIDGE NATURE CENTER © C. BENDA NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 113 114 CONTRIBUTORS Bibliography

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Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology Preserve: An Early History of the Forest Preserve Services, Urbana, IL. 109 pp. http://wwx.inhs. 32:2:145–200. District of Cook County, Illinois. University of illinois.edu/files/6213/4021/9269/Pt2_Appendix1. Meierhoff, J. 2012. World War II and the American Illinois at Chicago. http://www.uic.edu/depts/lib/ pdf. Home Front: A Preliminary Exploration of specialcoll/exhibits/fpdcc/. Three German POW Camps near Chicago. Supreme Court of Illinois. 1927. Washburn v. Draft manuscript on file at the Illinois State Forest Preserve District: No 17918- Reversed Archaeological Survey, Northern Illinois Field and remanded. The Forest Preserve District of Station, Loves Park, Illinois. Cook County Collection. University of Illinois at Meyer, D. K. 2001. Making the Heartland Quilt: A Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Geographical History of Settlement and Migration in Early Nineteenth Century Illinois. Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale. Miller, D. L. 1997. City of the Century: The Epic of Chicago and the Making of America. Simon and Schuster, New York. Moulton, F. 1931. The Forest Preserve District Association of Cook County. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County Collection. University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Next Century Conservation Plan Commission. 2014. Next Century Conservation Plan for the Forest Preserves of Cook County. National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NRSP-3). 2007. NADP Program Office, Illinois State Water Survey, 2204 Griffith Dr., Champaign, IL 61820. Nickens, P. R. 1991. The destruction of archaeological sites and data. In G. S. Smith & J. E. Ehrenhard (Eds.). Protecting the past (pp. 73–81). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc. DOWNY WOODPECKER © INHS

NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 117 Glossary

ARCHAEOLOGY the study of the ancient DEGRADED NATURAL COMMUNITIES NATIVE SPECIES plants or animals that are and recent human past by examining plant or animal communities that have naturally part of a given area. the materials humans have made, used, deteriorated or worsened due to a lack discarded, and built, as well as the of resources, such as air, water, soil, and NATURAL COMMUNITIES An assemblage landscapes and drainages humans have food, or disturbance to the environment. of plant species co-existing under similar altered. environmental conditions and natural ECOSYSTEM SERVICES benefits from processes. AREA SENSITIVITY when an animal ecosystems, such as clean water and air requires a large amount of space of a or recreation. NATURAL RESOURCES plants, animals, single habitat in order to breed. materials, and substances found in ENDANGERED SPECIES species that may nature. BIODIVERSITY the variety of plant become extinct if not protected by laws. and animal species in their natural MORAINE a mass of debris, carried by environments; also the variety of genes EXOTIC SPECIES any species intentionally glaciers, that forms ridges and mounds they contain. or accidentally transported and released when deposited by humans into an environment outside BUFFERS lands of lower quality that its native range. PREHISTORY the period before written surround an area of important natural records. In North America, the prehistoric or cultural resources, giving it some EXTANT POPULATIONS populations that are period generally ends with the entrance protection from human impacts, such as still in existence; still surviving. of early European explorers and fire, development, and noise. missionaries into to the continent. EXTINCT SPECIES plants or animals that CONSERVATION DESIGN a systematic are not found anywhere in the world. REACH a segment of a stream or river. approach to identify the location of important species and natural areas, the EXTIRPATE to wipe out or destroy in a SAVANNA a natural community consisting areas to be restored for rare species; and particular region. of grassland with widely spaced, fire- opportunities to connect conservation resistant trees. lands with corridors. FRAGMENTATION breaking natural habitats into small areas separated by regions THREATENED SPECIES species likely to CULTURAL RESOURCES archaeological without native species. become endangered if not protected by sites (e.g., prehistoric villages and laws. campsites, prehistoric burial mounds, INVASIVE SPECIES a plant or animal that pioneer homesteads and cemeteries), has a tendency to spread aggressively, architectural resources (e.g., buildings, displacing other plants or animals. bridges), transportation routes (e.g., prehistoric trails and portages, historic roads and routes), historic planned landscapes (e.g., gardens, public parks), and traditional cultural properties (e.g., native medicine plant gathering areas, ceremonial grounds).

DOLOMITE CANYON AT SAGAWAU ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER © C. BENDA SANDHILL CRANES © M. JEFFORDS 118 CONTRIBUTORS Contributors

PRAIRIE RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY Brian D. Anderson, Interim Executive Director Arnold Randall, General Superintendent

Internal Advisory Committee: ILLINOIS NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY Chris Anchor, Senior Wildlife Biologist Christopher D. Benda, Plant Ecologist Cathy Geraghty, Director of Strategic Initiatives Thomas J. Benson, Ornithologist David Kircher, Chief Landscape Architect Lama BouFajreldin, Human Dimensions Research Scientist John McCabe, Director, Department of Resource Management Yong Cao, Stream Ecologist Chris Merenowicz, Director (Retired), Department of Resource Nicole M. Evans, Research Coordinator Management Leon C. Hinz, Stream Ecologist Charles O’Leary, Chief Ecologist Timothy D. Lambert, Aquatic Ecologist Steve Silic, Fisheries Biologist Geoffrey A. Levin, Acting Director Randy W. Nyboer, Plant Ecologist Other Contributors: Christopher A. Phillips, Herpetologist Laura Anchor, Wildlife Biologist II John B. Taft, Plant Ecologist Deborah Antlitz, Ecologist Craig Billington, Ecologist Other Contributors: Diana Krug, GIS Specialist Jeremy P. Clark, GIS/Human Dimensions Specialist Kristin Pink, Ecologist Danielle M. Ruffatto, Graphic Designer Daniel Spencer, Ecologist Diane L. Szafoni, GIS Specialist Garrett Wais, GIS Manager Christopher A. Taylor, Astacologist James Ziemba, GIS Specialist Tari A. Tweddale, GIS Specialist External Advisory Council: Jane Balaban, Forest Preserve Steward ILLINOIS STATE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY Scott Beckerman, USDA Paula J. Porubcan, Northern Illinois Field Station Coordinator Louise Clemency, US Fish and Wildlife Service Benjamin Cox, Friends of the Forest Preserves Other Contributors: Abigail Derby, Field Museum Paula L. Bryant, Staff Archaeologist Aaron Durnbaugh, Loyola University Thomas E. Emerson, Director Phyllis Ellin, US National Park Service Duane E. Esarey, Assistant Director Gene Fleming, US Army Corps of Engineers Marcia L. Martinho, Graphic Designer Steve Flexman, Forest Preserve Steward Karen Glennemeier, Audubon Chicago Region Fran Harty, The Nature Conservancy ILLINOIS STATE WATER SURVEY Liam Heneghan, DePaul University Lisa A. Sheppard, Editor Pete Jackson, Forest Preserve Steward Rochelle Lurie, Illinois Archaeological Survey Other Contributors: Jo-Elle Mogerman, Brookfield Zoo Glenn Heistand, Senior Hydraulic Engineer Greg Mueller, Chicago Botanic Garden George S. Roadcap, Hydrogeologist Chris Mulvaney, Chicago Wilderness Justin Pepper, Bobolink Foundation Kim Roman, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission ADDITIONAL IMAGE CREDITS Joe Roth, Openlands Cover image: K. DaPra Doug Stotz, Field Museum Other images: C. Benda: 4, 58, 82, 92; FPCC: 102; ISAS: 6, 46, Jeff Walk, The Nature Conservancy 48,50–56, 72, 84, 101, 108; M. Jeffords: 18; and G. Spyreas: 12. Gary Watson, Morton Arboretum Lynne Westphal, US Forest Service Chris Whelan, University of Illinois, Chicago Gerould Wilhelm, Conservation Design Forum Zhanna Yermakov, Chicago Park District NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES MASTER PLAN 119

CRANBERRY SLOUGH NATURE PRESERVE © C. BENDA CITATION Prairie Research Institute. 2014. Natural and Cultural Resources Master Plan for the Forest Preserves of Cook County. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL.

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ABOUT THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY

The Forest Preserves of Cook County is the oldest forest preserve system in the nation, maintaining more than 69,000 acres of open land for the education, pleasure and recreation of the public. We strive to protect and restore the county’s diverse ecosystems, so all our unique native plants and animals can live and thrive. Each year, millions of people use these lands and facilities to enjoy or study nature, bicycle, hike, fish, cross-country ski, picnic, golf, canoe or simply relax in a large preserve ​that leaves urban life behind.

Forest Preserves of Cook County General Headquarters, 536 N Harlem, River Forest, IL 60305

Toni Preckwinkle, President

FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Richard Boykin, 1st District Peter N. Silvestri, 9th District Robert B. Steele, 2nd District Bridget Gainer, 10th District Jerry Butler, 3rd District John P. Daley, 11th District Stanley Moore, 4th District John A. Fritchey, 12th District Deborah Sims, 5th District Larry Suffredin, 13th District Joan Patricia Murphy, 6th District Gregg Goslin, 14th District Jesus G. Garcia, 7th District Timothy O. Schneider, 15th District Luis Arroyo, Jr., 8th District Jeffrey R. Tobolski, 16th District Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman, 17th District