From West Cook Wild Ones:

Learn about Illinois' specialized dunes habitats with Kathleen Marie Garness, Scientific Affiliate with Field Museum and Morton Arboretum.

Illinois' duneslands are the geologically youngest natural areas in our region. They are also under intense pressure from development as well as erosion. Hosah Park is part of an incredibly rare and precious ecological area earlier called the Waukegan Moorlands, described in detail as early as 1927 by ecologist Herman Silas Pepoon. It was recently designated a Wetland of International Importance by the RAMSAR Convention. In its 23 acres there are more than 220 native species of native plants. Representing just .5% of the total area, it holds 30% of the species! It is also an eBird hotspot with over 160 species of birds recorded from it since 1979. Kathleen's presentation will highlight both the ubiquitous and the most rare, and describe many of the unique adaptations and faunal relationships that have allowed them to survive in such a harsh environment.

About the Speaker

Kathleen Garness is author of the Field Museum's Common Plant Families of the Chicago Region and the Dunesland Habitat Guide. A woodland habitat guide is in the works. As steward of one of the Chicago region's highest quality duneland sites, she has had the opportunity to become familiar with these rare and hardy species that call our lakeshores their home.

Enjoy a sampling of Ms. Garness' work:

Ms. Garness' botanical illustrations were featured by the North American Orchid Conservation Center and can be viewed by following the link.

Photo credit: Kathleen Marie Garness