Wild in the City: Chicagoland's Urban Ecology

Documenting Urban Nature - Introduction

Chicago sits in one of the major bird migratory routes in North America, known as the Mississippi Flyway. More than two hundred species, from Cape May Warblers to Sandhill Cranes, fly across the Chicago region, headed to summer nesting habitats in the spring and wintering grounds in the fall. Since 1857, the Chicago Academy of Sciences has documented and studied local ecosystems and native species, including bird migration in the Chicago region. Scientists at the Academy use a variety of methods – including collecting specimens and conducting observational studies of living plants and animals – to document and study local species. This information provides the foundation of our knowledge about nature and can inform policies that help protect sensitive biological areas.

Use the cards at the bottom of each page to explore various parts of the "Documenting Urban Nature" chapter. There will always be a card to take you back to the chapter introduction or you can go back to the Wild in the City overview.

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