Flora and Fauna

Flora is a name for plant life, especially plants that are characteristic of a region, period or special environment. Native Americans named the swampy lands near the early Chicago River "Chicagau" meaning place of wild onion or garlic because these plants were abundant in the area.

Vegetation along the river is diverse, consisting of deciduous trees and shrubs, and ground covers such as riverbank grape, poison ivy and wetland grasses. Generally, vegetation grows along, near and in the river according to its water quality in a given area. Recent enhancements to area rivers include re-vegetation of wetlands, forests, and prairies.

Fauna is a name for animal life, especially animals that are characteristic of a region, period or special environment.

You need not worry about large predators such as the black bear, cougar or wildcat, along the Chicago River; these animals no longer roam the riverbank. However, peering at you through the river's vegetation might be a deer, woodchuck or a little chipmunk taking a peek before scampering off with food. Whether you walk, bike or canoe along the river, you will know that you are not alone. Animals abound near the river, though some more than others. You may sight a fox, coyote, muskrat, raccoon, skunk or an occasional mink. Gnawed trees signal the presence of beaver, though they are rarely seen.