Illinois beach state park is a significant natural area in the state of illinois and within the great lakes region

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program, under CFDA Program 15.630, awarded a $259,162 Cooperative Agreement to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) on April 1, 2025. The goal of this project is to restore and enhance 185 acres of wetland habitat, including 7 acres of globally rare panne habitat, and 200 acres of upland habitat along 1.1 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline at Illinois Beach State Park. The project aims to control invasive species, increase native species diversity, and promote ecosystem resilience in this significant natural area that provides habitat for 5 federally-listed and 61 state-listed species. IDNR will serve as the primary awardee and will collaborate with volunteer groups to implement the habitat restoration and enhancement activities.

Within the park, 65 state-listed species have been documented, 5 of which are also federally listed. Illinois beach contains a vast mosaic of high-quality natural communities, including lake michigan panne which is considered to be globally rare. These natural communities extend over 3,000 acres and are part of a larger ecological complex of contiguous high-quality areas protected by municipal, county, and state agencies, extending into wisconsin. However, this area is surrounded by continually expanding development and its proximity to dense population centers such as chicago create a unique set of challenges. Invasive and exotic species are a constant threat and degrade the quality of these significant natural communities. The proposed project would provide funds to continue invasive species control at illinois beach which would restore and enhance pollinator habitat, increase the size and native species diversity of rare natural communities, improve habitat for numerous state and federally-listed species, and promote resiliency of the overall ecosystem. Resilient ecosystems can better withstand climate related change and other stressors. Illinois department of natural resources recognizes the ecological significance of illinois beach, has protected the site as dedicated nature preserve, and is committed to follow up work needed to maintain healthy, resilient ecosystems and populations. State funds, staff time, and volunteer resources are available to continue important ecological work that would be completed in this project. The goal of this project is restoration and habitat enhancement of pannes and adjacent natural communities along lake michigan at illinois beach state park near zion, illinois. Expected project results are 185 acres of wetland enhancement including 7 acres of panne. Additionally the project will fund 200 acres of upland habitat enhancement and 1.1 miles of lake michigan shoreline enhancement. There are no expected subrecipients for this grant.