This was a very illuminating trip. I hope I was able to demonstrate how despite the limitations that prevent Chicago beaches from reaching the heights that Indiana dunes do (both height wise and ecology wise) we still can nurture potential gems on our municipal beaches. That said it is also perfectly possible to spoil gifts also evidenced in this trip. Chicago in the last decade or so has been touting itself as a green city. In proportion to the number of public beaches there are very few dunes habitats and even with those few we can’t take care of them all. As a city we need to begin looking at how we use what resources are still present such as our lake shore. Too much of it still looks like this.
Next time you are at a public beach or exercising on the lake shore trail don’t forget the beautiful natural history of the land you are on and how people are working to bring some semblance of that back. Heck, why not get out and volunteer at one these places some time?It’s always fun. Soon I will go to explore the icon, model, and inspiration of dunes restoration on Chicago beaches; Montrose point.Edward Warden
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