BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF "NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND" BLOG One month ago yesterday, I picked the last of the tomatoes, beans, and peppers, as well as dug up our sweet potatoes in our city garden. The winter chill came for a bit after that, but with the exception of one brief snow, Chicagoland … Continue reading Reflections on My First Snowy Hike of the Season and 12 Tips for Winter Hiking
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER & AUTHOR OF THE “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG South Shore Nature Sanctuary (7059 S. South Shore Drive, 60649), which is located at the historic South Shore Cultural Center (a pretty amazing place in itself), features six acres of dunes, wetlands, a woodland, prairie, pond, savanna, and shrubland habitats. There are many things to … Continue reading 6 Things to Do at South Shore Nature Sanctuary
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND Industrial, smoke-belching dragons once loomed along the southern shore of Lake Michigan in Chicago. These steel mills were tended by tens of thousands of workers who manufactured the steel that was used to build the bridges, buildings, Pullman rail cars, and other structures of America. … Continue reading Steelworkers Park: Opportunities to Climb a 30-Foot Ore Wall, Learn About Chicago’s Industrial History, and Enjoy Nature
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND UPDATED JUNE 2024 The compass plants, monarchs and other butterflies, prairie crayfish, and coyotes would not exist in this spot today if the city of Chicago went through with its plans decades ago to turn what is now 23-acre Dunning-Read Natural Area (4050 N. Oak … Continue reading Dunning-Read Natural Area: A Prairie Oasis in Chicago
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND Nestled near steel processing plants, a massive landfill, and busy railroad lines and roads lies a beautiful nature area that is an oasis for both resident and migrating birds. Hegewisch Marsh Park (13200-13298 S. Torrence Avenue, Chicago, IL 60633) features 129 acres of native marsh, … Continue reading Hegewisch Marsh Park: Great Birdwatching and Hiking and an Inspiring Story of Ongoing Environmental Restoration
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER AND AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND If you hike or paddle in the right natural spot in Chicagoland, it’s almost as if you’re not in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. There are peaceful and verdant prairies filled with prairie blazing star, black-eyed Susan, compass plant, rattlesnake … Continue reading Art Exhibition Celebrates the Natural Beauty and Rebirth of Chicago’s Industrial Southeast Side
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER & AUTHOR OF NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND It's been a challenging year in many ways as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the contentious presidential campaign, and other factors. But amidst the stressful conditions, there have been two constants: my great family and nature. My family has provided support, solace, companionship, … Continue reading 14 Amazing Nature Spots I Visited This Year That Should be on Your Chicagoland “Nature Bucket List”
BY ANDREW MORKES, FOUNDER & AUTHOR OF THE “NATURE IN CHICAGOLAND” BLOG UPDATED JUNE 2024 Western Avenue between Peterson and Bryn Mawr Avenues is an urban speedway. Cars race through this densely-packed neighborhood as if there’s a pot of gold waiting at road’s end in each direction. (Western, by the way, is the longest road—24 … Continue reading West Ridge Nature Preserve: An Oasis in Chicago