This project will result in the establishment of 1.25 acres of native dune habitat along the lake michigan shoreline at calumet park on chicagos far southeast side

This Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program (CFDA 15.630) will provide $200,000 to the Chicago Park District to establish 1.25 acres of native dune habitat along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Calumet Park in Chicago. Key project activities include importing and grading clean sand, installing gravel to create nesting habitat for piping plovers, and planting native marram grass and milkweed to stabilize the dunes and support pollinators. The project aims to create more stopover and nesting habitat for migratory birds, especially the endangered Great Lakes piping plover, improve shoreline resiliency against climate change, and enhance access to nature in an underserved community. The award period is from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2027.

Project activities include: importing and grading clean sand installing gravel to create piping plover-friendly nesting and rearing conditions planting native marram grass and milkweed to stability and support pollinators and hosting several stewardship outreach events and bird walks for local community members and other interested parties. Through this project, chicago park district hopes to advance the following goals: creating more stopover and nesting habitat for migratory birds, especially great lakes piping plovers, along chicago s lake michigan coast better supporting monarch butterflies and other pollinators by providing appropriate food sources and host plants improving the resiliency of the shoreline at calumet park in the face of climate change and improving access to nature in a historically underserved community.