The importance of the Chicago region and the “Chicago Wilderness” initiative for avian conservation

Abstract

The Chicago region is a large, established metropolitan region, that may play a critical role for the conservation of breeding and migratory birds in midwestern North America. The region includes over 80,000 ha of protected lands that include some of the best remaining grassland, oak savanna, and marsh habitat in the state of Illinois. Because of its juxtaposition with Lake Michigan, the region serves as a significant stop-over site for spring and fall migrants that comprise a diverse group of terrestrial and aquatic species. Efforts to conserve and restore habitat for birds in the region are being coordinated by a partnership of over 60 public and private organizations known collectively as the “Chicago Wilderness.” These organizations have joined to protect, manage, and restore the habitats and biological communities of the region. Specific activities include ecological inventory, the creation of recovery plans for various types of biologically significant habitats, restoration research, education and outreach, and the identification of region-wide conservation priorities. The benefits of these activities for birds are promising. Studies conducted in lands managed by the forest preserve district of Cook County indicate that the breeding bird communities in the preserves are quite similar to those in the rural areas of Illinois. Moreover, estimated rates of parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothorus ater) are less than those observed in the more agricultural landscapes of the upper midwestern United States. Habitat protection in otherwise developed metropolitan areas may offer significant conservation opportunities in regions where natural habitat is scarce.