Chicago Nature and Wildlife Plan

The Chicago Nature and Wildlife Plan and its associated Chicago Nature Areas Directory identifies more than 4,800 acres of prairies, savannas, dunes, woodlands, wetlands and potential restoration areas at 98 sites throughout Chicago.

The first plan of its kind in Chicago's history, the Nature and Wildlife plan establishes a framework to protect and expand individual ecosystems and the landscapes to which they belong for the benefit of wildlife and people. It also suggests techniques that residents and businesses can implement to make the urban environment friendlier to native plants and animals in northeastern Illinois.

Plan goals are coordinated into four main initiatives:

• Protect: The permanent preservation of all natural lands in public ownership, the acquisition or leasing of other areas where possible, and physical improvements that make natural and manmade structures friendlier to wildlife.

• Manage: The implementation of management techniques that sustain and expand the viability of native plants, animals and acquatic systems in natural areas across the city.

• Monitor: An increase in scientific data that helps make responsible decisions and set priorities for habitat improvement efforts.

• Educate: Increase Chicagoans' understanding of how nature and wildlife benefits their own households, places of work and neighborhoods.

The plan was approved by Chicago Plan Commission, the Chicago Park District and the Cook County Forest Preserve District in 2006.

The Nature Areas Directory identifies and provides information for approximately 3,800 acres of existing of natural habitats and 920 acres of potential habitat restoration sites within the city limits. An open space inventory for the directory was conducted by the Department of Planning and Development using mapping tools, aerial imagery, on-site visits and previous inventory studies to estimate total habitat space within the city.