A suburban Chicago ecosystem
Location Index
Backyard and Home
A Chicago suburban residential yard setting, planted heavily with native plant species. Some cultivars and nonnatives present as well.
Total Visits: 380; 2025 Visits: 16
Ruth Macintyre Conservation Area
Local suburban conservation area surrounded by residential development. Includes a 5-acre pond, adjoining creek, prairie grasslands, and nearby wooded thickets.
Total Visits: 690; 2025 Visits: 38
Oak Hollow Conservation Area
Local conservation area with a prairie, small pond, marsh, and lots of wooded areas.
Total Visits: 71; 2025 Visits: 2
Crabtree Nature Center
Because dogs aren't allowed at the nature centers (for very good reasons), I don't bird here as often as I would like. However, the habitat at this center run by the Cook County Forest Preserves is spectacular and I am going to try to visit more often.
Total Visits: 84; 2025 Visits: 30
Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary
I don't visit the nature center often because dogs are not allowed (for good reason, of course). However, I am going to try to make an effort to visit every now and then.
Total Visits: 1; 2025 Visits: 0
Campanelli Park
Park with pond, creek, native forbs, along with baseball fields and playground, maintained by the local park district.
Total Visits: 17; 2025 Visits: 3
Deer Grove Forest Preserve
The first forest preserve in Cook County.
Total Visits: 1; 2025 Visits: 0
Springbrook Nature Center
Nature center in Itasca Park District
Total Visits: 1; 2025 Visits: 1