Survey Results: DuSable Lakeshore Drive

Survey Results: DuSable Lakeshore Drive

Our recommendations:

  1. Landscaping that supports native birds, including at least one new bird sanctuary, all with diverse plant structure (canopy, understory, shrubs and ground cover), many areas of plant density and good plant species diversity

  2. Preservation of specific areas, i.e., Montrose Beach, Jarvis Bird Sanctuary, etc.

  3. Creation of migratory bird habitat as a buffer between the lakefront and dangerous buildings

  4. Creation of shorebird habitat on islands, if possible

Partnering for Birds – Grasslands

Partnering for Birds – Grasslands

The Chicago area and in particular the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC) are fortunate to have several different types of natural habitats that birds need to thrive. “Partnering for Birds,” a free publication created by the Chicago Bird Alliance in collaboration with FPCC, uses data from the Bird Conservation Network and eBird. The four different habitats detailed are grasslands (highlighted here), shrublands, woodlands and savannas, and wetlands.

Chicago Continues to Fail Migrating Birds

Chicago Continues to Fail Migrating Birds

The Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) failed to make bird protection mandatory in its recent draft of its 2024 Sustainable Development Policy (SDP). Bird Friendly Chicago, its partners, and its supporters asked the city of Chicago to make bird protection mandatory in this update, a measure that would be critical in preventing bird mortality. Unfortunately the DPD failed to do so, even in the face of overwhelming public support for this measure.

The Urban Bird Niche

The Urban Bird Niche

We tend to view the increasing urbanization of the environment as detrimental to birds, and indeed, habitat loss is the principal reason for the decrease in bird numbers and species. However, in very specific instances, some birds can coexist with the urban environment in beneficial ways – beneficial to them, and to the humans who enjoy them.