The Internet has a plethora of great references for conservation and sites containing regional observations. Some videos, newsletters, and the like are included as well.
Conservation Resources
- Illinois Wildlife Action Plan
- Chicago Wilderness’ Biodiversity Recovery Plan
Field Guides
- The Field Museum has convenient field guides available on their website, many focused on the Chicagoland area and produced by local experts with detailed illustrations and color photographs! Here are a few examples:
Habitat Restoration
- Restoring Large Prairies in the Chicago Region: A Summary of Proven and Promising Techniques
Audubon Chicago Region, 2009. - The Tallgrass Prairie in Illinois: A compendium of information about this once extensive system, compiled by Ken Robertson, retired botanist with the Illinois Natural History Survey.
- For backyards, landscaped campuses, and small parks:
- Audubon Chicago Region guidelines for Migratory Bird Habitat
- National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat
- Sweet Home, Wild Things Style: Tips towards going native in an urban/suburban environment including organizations that host plant sales.
- CPD’s Lakefront Habitat Guidelines : Landscaping for bird habitat can apply to all landscaped situations such as golf courses, cemeteries, and parks.
- A Habitat Guide for Chicago landowners: Enhancing your Property for Birds: Gives suggestions for all major local habitat types.
- Sample, David W., and Michael J. Mossman. 1997. Managing habitat for grassland birds – a guide for Wisconsin. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI, PUBL-SS-925-97. 154 pp. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online. (Version 03JUN2002).
Species Information
Birds
- US Fish and Wildlife Service Birds of Conservation Concern
- Partners in Flight Bird Conservation Plans
- The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan
- The North American Waterbird Conservation Plan
- North American Waterfowl Management Plan
- The Lake Michigan Flyway: Chicagoland’s Role in the Miracle of Bird Migration | A green paper by the Bird Conservation Network provides guidelines and recommendations for the lakefront.
- Migrant Bird Habitat Study | Describes local plantings frequently used by foraging migrants.
- SK Robinson, EJ Heske, JD Brawn. 1997. Factors affecting nesting success of edge and shrubland birds: Final report for federal aid project W-125-R. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Springfield, Illinois. | Contains management recommendations for local habitats that are an excellent primer.
Insects
- Singing Insects Guide 2017 | A species guide of Chicago region cicadas, crickets, katydids, and members of two grasshopper subfamilies. In contains photos; current and historical range maps; seasonal and time-of-day information; descriptions of the insects and their songs; conservation concerns; and range expansions. Please contact Carl Strang or visit his blog to get on the mailing list for future updates.
Videos
- Wild Things 2015 Keynote: Pat Hayes provided the introduction to this record breaking Wild Things conference, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle welcomed the audience (she starts at 6:45). Keynote speaker and Nachusa Grasslands Project Director Bill Kleiman tells the story of bison in North American grasslands, including how they returned to Nachusa in 2014. Bill speaks from 16:45-46:51.
Other Online Resources
- Habitat Herald Newletters: A quarterly publication by Audubon Chicago Region from January 2003 through September 2014 that featured conservation related articles written by members of the Wild Things conservation community.
- BCN Survey: A database for Chicagoland monitors and other birders to enter and view observations.
- Illinois and Chicago Net-Birding: Lots of information about the local and regional birding scene.
- Gallery of Pests: “Get to know the pests that are destroying our forests,” brought to you by Don’t Move Firewood. All states in the Chicago Wilderness restrict the movement of firewood.