The Wetlands Initiative

This Spring, TWI volunteers new and old gathered for restoration days at five wetland locations in the greater Chicago area and beyond!

Together they planted seedlings, removed invasive species, and enjoyed the great outdoors! We send our deep gratitude to every volunteer who helped to make this Spring a productive and memorable planting season. Check out these impressive numbers summing up a successful season:

🌱83 individuals volunteered at TWI restoration sites during the spring planting season
🌱14,500 native plant seedlings were planted in wetland, prairie, and savanna habitats
🌱1,204 hours were logged from our community of dedicated volunteers
🌱110 native species of forbs, grasses, sedges, and trees added to restoration sites

Keep an eye out for fall volunteer opportunities that are just around the corner! 👀

We are thrilled to announce that last month TWI’s Director of Water Resources Dr. Jill Kostel was honored with the Harold and Kay Scholl Excellence in Conservation Award by the Soil and Water Conservation Society. 🙌🙌

The award recognizes individuals who work on the ground to provide direct and personal delivery or conservation planning and technical assistance. Jill leads the Smart Wetlands program through which TWI partners with Illinois farmers and landowners to build small constructed wetlands designed to remove excess nutrients from agricultural tile drainage.

Through ag-sector partnerships, TWI is working to spread constructed wetlands throughout the Midwest to improve water quality, both locally and far downstream in the Gulf of Mexico.

Go Jill! 🥳

Art that Matters to the Planet: Clarity opens this Friday at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, NY.

TWI artist-in-residence Lindsay Olson’s wetland-inspired textile works are among the featured works, and Lindsay is giving a special talk on opening night. Art that Matters to the Planet is RTPI’s annual juried exhibition, and this year’s show explores the role of art and artists in protecting freshwater ecosystems and all of the life they support.

Check out the link below to learn more and plan your visit!

https://rtpi.org/exhibitions/art-that-matters-to-the-planet-2024-clarity/

From muddy boots to groundbreaking science, retirement is calling and Dr. Gary Sullivan's 23-year journey at TWI is coming to a close.

As TWI’s Senior Ecologist, Gary’s visionary yet practical approach has been instrumental in shaping TWI’s programmatic growth and impact. Gary came to TWI to design the restoration of our 3,000-acre Dixon Waterfowl Refuge and has since led a successful 7-year large-scale prairie restoration at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie and overseen complex wetland restoration projects across the bi-state Calumet region.

Click the link below to read Gary’s reflection on his time at TWI, and join us in thanking him for all that he’s done for wetland conservation in our region!

https://www.wetlands-initiative.org/featured-news/gary-sullivan-retirement

Come be a part of the next chapter for Hatcher Park! 🌿

Join Brown Faces Green Spaces and partners this Saturday for a special meet & greet and explore the revitalization projects transforming this historic green space! Explore restored habitats, share your park memories, and help shape its vibrant future. TWI's Calumet Coordinator Harry will be there guiding a nature walk along with Audubon Great Lakes

Open to everyone! Connect with nature and neighbors through wellness walks and story circles while enjoying free food and light refreshments. Your stories, our community, one rejuvenated green space. 💚

You can reach out to [email protected] for more information!

Thank you NiSource and NIPSCO for spending the day with us planting wetland plugs! We're grateful for your support in the Chase Street Complex project and partnership in TWI's broader vision for wetland restoration across the Calumet.

Exciting updates from the field! 🌱

Earlier this summer TWI ecologists completed plant surveys at Sandy Hollow in TWI’s Dixon Waterfowl Refuge. They were happy to report encouraging signs of recovery after last year’s droughts. Some species are bouncing back stronger than ever, while others are still regaining their footing.

We're particularly thrilled to see our native plants starting to reclaim their space from invasive species. Our tall green milkweed is having a spectacular year! Although we didn't come across any live snakes, we did find a shed from a 4½-foot bullsnake, reminding us that they're out there. 🐍

In Sandy Hollow, our sand prairie restoration efforts continue to pay off, with state-endangered plants like large-flowered beard tongue (Penstemon grandiflorus), yellow wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria), and royal catchfly (Silene regia) thriving there.

Nature is always full of surprises, and we are excited to continue tracking these trends and learning from the natural patterns! 🌻

Field job alert! 🌱

TWI is seeking a Restoration Technician to join our team in restoring vital wetland and prairie ecosystems at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

You’ll gain hands-on experience in native plant installation, invasive species management, and ecological restoration techniques at the Chicago region’s largest protected open space!

If you're passionate about environmental conservation and ready for a rewarding career in nature, you can learn more and apply at the link below! This full-time position is funded through 2027.

https://www.wetlands-initiative.org/restoration-technician

Summer is in full swing at Dixon! ☀️🌸

TWI Ecologist Katie Kucera snapped these photos on a visit to the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge last Friday. 📷

The Refuge is home to 14+ habitat types and 7 miles of walking trails – the perfect destination for a day trip to spend the day in nature. 🌱

✨Please note that the observation tower is closed for repairs right now, but should be up and running again in about two weeks.✨

Make sure to tag us in your photos after your next visit!

✨We’re hiring!✨

TWI seeks a Restoration Program Director to play a leadership role in our expanding restoration program.

The Director is responsible for the planning and ex*****on of all of TWI’s on-the-ground restoration work, generating sound scientific information related to the organization’s mission and work, and overseeing the maintenance of all sites owned or managed by the organization.

The Director is a member of TWI’s leadership team, reporting to the Executive Director, and is actively involved in setting and implementing strategic direction and programmatic goals. With TWI’s Water Resources Program Director, the Restoration Program Director co-leads TWI’s field projects, research, evaluation of potential new project sites, and programmatic planning. Together they serve as the public face of the organization’s mission work.

Interested in the role or know someone who might be a good fit? Learn more at the link below! 🌱

https://www.wetlands-initiative.org/restoration-program-director

We’re in! How about you? 🦦🩵

The weekend kicks off ’s fourth-annual ! TWI is a proud partner of the Mississippi River Network, a coalition of nearly 70 organizations working toward a healthy and resilient Mississippi River. Make a difference for people, land, water, and wildlife by attending events and taking action at https://buff.ly/3MStFIR!

What can we do for wetlands? 🌱

We all have a voice when it comes to protecting important ecosystems. It is crucial to advocate for wetlands and their many benefits by supporting organizations and government policies aimed at wetland protection. Helping to ensure these vital ecosystems are safeguarded now will build a more climate resilient world for future generations.

In our own homes, using eco-friendly landscaping and construction practices that don’t disrupt the natural flow of water is crucial in developed areas near wetlands.

Educating others about the importance of wetlands and participating in community cleanup or planting efforts can also make a big difference in wetland preservation.

To all of our followers, donors, volunteers, and partners, thank you for being a champion for wetlands! 💚

Plug planting season is coming to a close soon at TWI’s wetland restoration sites, but don’t worry – there is one last chance to come get your hands dirty with us this Friday! 🌱

We can’t think of a better way to cruise into the weekend than spending the morning getting some baby native wetland plants into the ground. TWI will be there along with Lake County Parks, The Nature Conservancy, and Audubon Great Lakes.

No experience is necessary and we’ll provide tools, water, muck boots, and snacks.

📅: Friday, May 31
⏰: 10am to 12:30pm
📍: Highland Heron Rookery (8445 Liable Road, Highland IN)

Register here: https://buff.ly/4aCRcHJ

What do wetlands do for people? 💃🏼

Wetlands offer many crucial services for people. From flood protection, to water purification, to waste remediation, these services benefit both people and the planet.

Wetlands help prevent flooding by acting as natural buffers, absorbing excess water during heavy rains or storms, and protecting homes, businesses, and roads from costly damage.

Wetlands also act like natural filters, cleaning pollutants and impurities from the water, helping to keep drinking water sources clean and safe.

In urban spaces, wetland restoration also provides much needed recreational green spaces, as well as opportunities for education. Many people enjoy visiting wetlands for activities like bird watching, hiking, fishing, and boating.

Time spent in nature is healing on many levels, and wetlands are a bountiful setting for spending time in the great outdoors. 🌳

📣An important update on Illinois wetlands protection!📣 The Illinois Environmental Council

The wetlands bill has been amended again and is finally headed to the state senate floor! Though an uphill battle remains, we're thrilled to see these efforts pay off as this crucial legislation advances.

Read the latest interview our very own Paul Botts recently did with The Daily Herald at the link below, and we'll keep fighting to safeguard these vital ecosystems!



https://www.dailyherald.com/20240521/illinois-state-politics/illinois-state-lawmakers-scramble-to-advance-wetlands-protection-bill-as-session-end-nears/

What do wetlands do for the climate? 🌎

Wetlands play a crucial role in regulating the climate. These unique ecosystems act as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Wetland plants and soils both play an important role in sequestering carbon. The vegetation temporarily stores carbon dioxide and, when the plants die, the soils provide long-term storage for that carbon.

Additionally, wetlands release water v***r through ev***ration and plant transpiration, which helps form clouds and influences rainfall patterns. They also provide habitats for diverse plant and animal species, maintaining a balanced ecosystem essential for a stable climate.

TWI’s wetland restoration projects have shown that even very degraded sites can be restored to high-quality wetlands. Once reclaimed, these lost wetlands can again become rich carbon sinks. The more wetlands we have, the more resilient our communities will be to the changing climate.

What do wetlands do for water?💧

Wetlands play a crucial role in managing water in the environment! They act like giant sponges, soaking up excess water during heavy rains or flooding. This helps prevent nearby areas from getting flooded.

Additionally, wetlands store and slowly release water over time, helping to replenish groundwater supplies and prevent water shortages during dry periods.

Wetlands also filter and clean water by trapping pollutants, sediments, and nutrients as the water flows through. This purification process helps maintain the quality of water in rivers, streams, and other water bodies.

Farm fertilizer and manure, as well as municipal wastewater, add nitrogen and phosphorus to our rivers and streams. Downstream, this creates low-oxygen “dead zones” where aquatic life cannot be supported. The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is the largest one affecting the United States and the second largest in the world.

Wetlands are one of the best natural strategies we have to improve water quality by reducing nutrient pollution. TWI’s Smart Wetlands program does just that by constructing precisely-sited wetlands on tile-drained farmland to filter out excess agricultural nutrients before water travels downstream.

Happy American Wetlands Month! To celebrate, we're highlighting all the critical functions that wetlands provide to our ecosystems - starting with housing our furry and feathered friends. Wetlands are biological super systems, supporting a huge number and variety of species. 🐢Their biodiversity is as rich as rainforests and coral reefs! 🪸

These unique ecosystems provide essential habitats for numerous plants, birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates.

Wetlands serve as breeding grounds, nurseries, and sources of food and shelter. The shallow water, marshy areas, and abundant vegetation found in wetlands create ideal conditions for various waterfowl, migratory birds, and other wildlife to thrive. 🦆

Countless species depend on wetlands, and more than one-third of the country’s threatened and endangered species live only in wetlands.

Chicago River Day is this Saturday! ✨

Join TWI at Indian Ridge Marsh for a morning of tree planting and litter pick up with Friends of the Chicago River. Every year since 1992, thousands of volunteers come together on Chicago River Day to build community while removing litter from our local waterways.

The Chicago-Calumet River system is healthier now than it’s been in 150 years, providing critical habitat for all sorts of animals from migratory birds to beavers, turtles and over 75 species of fish. But litter continues to be detrimental, harming people and wildlife and causing negative community, economic, and public health impacts. You can make a difference by volunteering at this fun, free, family-friendly annual cleanup!

Following your cleanup, join us for after-parties at Blue Island Beer Company or Burning Bush Brewery from 12 - 3 p.m. Meet fellow volunteers, swap stories, and enjoy some refreshments while celebrating your hard work!

Registration is required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-river-day-2024-indian-ridge-marsh-tickets-865667383447

📆: Saturday, May 11
⏰: 9am to 12pm
📍: Indian Ridge Marsh (11740 S Torrence Ave Chicago, IL 60617)

🌳 We’re hiring! 🌱

The Wetlands Initiative is hiring a Calumet Coordinator to support our expanding portfolio of wetland restoration projects in the Calumet Region.

In this hybrid, hands-on role, you'll facilitate restoration efforts, engage local communities, and help revive the incredible biodiversity of degraded wetlands across the Calumet Region. Applicants with personal or professional history in the Calumet Region are preferred.

Learn more about this exciting opportunity and apply here: https://www.wetlands-initiative.org/calumet-coordinator

Looking for weekend plans? Join TWI on Saturday for a volunteer spring plug planting day at the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge!

Our hardworking team will be planting native seedlings to boost biodiversity in the Refuge's Sandy Hollow tract. The restoration of this upland sandy area is coming along really well, so the plugs we will plant include some rarer species.

No experience is necessary - just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to get a little dirt under your nails! We'll provide tools, gloves, snacks, and water. Please wear sturdy shoes and clothes for a morning of hands-on work.

Whether you're a seasoned TWI volunteer or new to our conservation efforts, we'd love to have you join us in caring for this special place.

RSVP to [email protected] today, and we'll see you May 4th!

📆: Saturday, May 4, 2024
⏰: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
📍: Dixon Waterfowl Refuge Bunkhouse

Need directions? Check out this map: https://buff.ly/3JpwY91

In celebration of American Wetlands Month, TWI and Chicago Parks Foundation are hosting a special screening of “Fluddles” at Music Box Theatre for our supporters! 🌱

Join us on May 9th at 7pm for the Chicago premiere of Bob Dolgan's latest film. After the screening, we'll be treated to a live performance of music from the film, followed by a panel discussion with local wetland experts and a director Q&A with Bob himself.

“Fluddles” chronicles the wildlife of agricultural wetlands of Illinois. Sometimes simply described as “big puddles,” fluddles appear in the spring and fall and provide habitat and forage for a diversity of waterfowl and shorebird species. “Fluddles” takes viewers on a journey to these secret, oft-fleeting wildernesses at a time when Illinois has lost 90% of its original wetlands. “Fluddles” features those who enjoy the beauty of wetlands while showcasing the movement underway to construct more wetlands, which provide critical habitat, reduce flooding and erosion, and help to ensure healthier waterways.

TWI donors are invited to attend this event at no cost! Email [email protected] to register.

Not yet a donor but interested in attending? We invite you to make a donation of any size in celebration of American Wetlands Month! You can do so at www.wetlands-initiative.org/donate.

On a chilly spring morning earlier this month, eight volunteers participated in TWI’s fourth annual “Hennepin cluster” Crane Count to look and listen for cranes at our Dixon Waterfowl Refuge and other public and private wetland sites near Hennepin, Illinois, along the Illinois River.

They found 18 Sandhill Cranes in total, most of which were pairs giving the unison call, an indication that they may nest in and around the Refuge!

The Hennepin-area count is a crucial part of the broader Midwest Crane Count organized by the International Crane Foundation, which is conducted each April in Wisconsin, Illinois, and five other Midwestern states to monitor crane populations. Four years ago, TWI and other conservation groups united to expand the Crane Count to include five new clusters of survey points along the Illinois River Valley. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Starved Rock, and Emiquon Preserve are some of the other areas surveyed, underlining the significance of this collective effort.

Illinois Audubon Society leads the Illinois River Valley efforts as our region’s local bird champion. Over time, this annual spring dataset will help us evaluate how well the Illinois River system can support breeding cranes.

This year’s Hennepin count was just two away from the record 20 cranes observed in 2021, a year when more sites were accessible to counters due to less wet conditions. Cranes appear to be thriving in this part of the Illinois River Valley!

Enjoy these dawn photos from the crane counters’ spring adventure!

Illinois' remaining wetlands are at risk without state protections, but a bill now moving through the legislature could safeguard them.

The Chicago Sun-Times breaks down this major wetlands legislation, laying out this opportunity to protect these vital ecosystems, which reduce flooding, filter pollution, and provide critical habitats.

Read their piece here to learn more:

Illinois wetlands deserve protection. Lawmakers should make that happen, while there is still time. State lawmakers can pass legislation that would restore the safeguards the U.S. Supreme Court removed last year on wetlands, which play a key role in helping to mitigate the impact of climate change and are critical habitats for birds, insects, mammals and amphibians.

Green thumbs and nature lovers - assemble! 🌱

We're calling all volunteers to join us for a spring plug planting day at the Dixon Waterfowl Refuge on Saturday, May 4th.

Our hardworking team will be planting native seedlings to boost biodiversity in the Refuge's Sandy Hollow tract. The restoration of this upland sandy area is coming along really well, so the plugs we will plant include some rarer species.

No experience is necessary - just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to get a little dirt under your nails! We'll provide tools, gloves, snacks, and water. Please wear sturdy shoes and clothes for a morning of hands-on work.

Whether you're a seasoned TWI volunteer or new to our conservation efforts, we'd love to have you join us in caring for this special place.

RSVP to [email protected] today, and we'll see you May 4th!

📆: Saturday, May 4, 2024
⏰: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
📍: Dixon Waterfowl Refuge Bunkhouse

Need directions? Check out this map: https://buff.ly/3JpwY91

Spotted: A flurry of astronomy-loving nature nerds at Dixon Waterfowl Refuge! 🔭🌕

Our new Refuge Manager, Justin, joined the local Hennepin Library crew gathered at the Tower to catch Monday's eclipse over the wetlands. Instead of scanning the skies for birds, these gazers had their eyes locked on the sun (safely, of course!) Lucky for them, the Refuge provided the perfect vantage point!

Did you know that nearly 90% of Illinois’ wetlands, critical habitats for wildlife, have already been lost?

Join Environment Illinois for a panel discussion with experts from Shedd Aquarium and Audubon Great Lakes on protecting the wildlife of Illinois wetlands.

📆 Thursday, April 11
⏰ 7 pm CST
📍 Virtual via Zoom (RSVP for link)

Please reserve your spot here: https://environmentamerica.org/illinois/events/turtles-frogs-and-birds-protecting-the-wildlife-of-illinois-wetlands/

Talk about a birds-eye view of the prairie🐦🌾 Midwest Livingng just featured the beautiful Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie as one of the region's top bird-watching destinations! With over 20,000 acres of restored tallgrass prairie, Midewin has truly become an avian oasis just an hour from Chicago.

From threatened grassland birds like Henslow's sparrows and upland sandpipers to familiar tunes of bobolinks and eastern meadowlarks, this prairie is a life raft for so much iconic Illinois wildlife. With 33 miles of trails, it's also the largest restoration project east of the Mississippi!

Whether you're an experienced birder or just enjoy nature, grab those binoculars and discover the stunning feathered residents that make the prairies so vibrant. Midewin is a must-visit for any bird-watching enthusiast!

Check out the full article here: https://www.midwestliving.com/best-birdwatching-spots-in-the-midwest-8622576

Our Artist in Residence Lindsay Olson is featured in a new article on TextileArtist.org! 👩‍🎨

In this insightful interview, Lindsay shares her fascinating process of translating scientific research into embroidered textile masterpieces.

She shares how she partners with scientists, conducts extensive research, and then creates accessible art to communicate complex topics to the world. She reveals the 3-phase process behind her science-inspired pieces, from initial research to final exhibition.

Throughout her residency with TWI, Lindsay waded into wetland restoration ecology and let it inspire a captivating collection that symbolically represents the hard work and concepts behind our conservation efforts.

Lindsay's artwork is more than just a fusion of art and science. It's a powerful tool in our mission to promote climate-friendly solutions. Get a glimpse into her inspiring creative process by reading the full article here: https://www.textileartist.org/lindsay-olson-from-conception-to-creation/

We're so grateful to have Lindsay's talents helping raise awareness about the importance of wetland restoration. Her pieces are truly ecological poetry captured in textile form. 🌱

Golden hour glows and moody marshes? 📷 We want to see your most artistic wetland shots for the Protect Illinois Wetlands coalition's Wetlands in Focus photo blitz!

These vital ecosystems are truly unsung heroes—they filter our water, control floods, replenish groundwater, and shelter endangered species. But we need your help to spotlight their beauty!
There's still time left before Earth Day on April 22nd to grab your camera and capture the wetlands in your area. Our swamps and seeps deserve some serious Instagram fame! 🌿

Here's how to join the blitz:
1️⃣ Scout out a local wetland (pro tip: Dixon Waterfowl Refuge is a real looker!)
2️⃣ Point, shoot, and post your most artistic wetland pics
3️⃣ Use to share the wetland love

Throughout May's American Wetlands Month, we'll be showing off some of the most jaw-dropping shots from around Illinois, so get creative, and let's give these unsung eco-heroes the spotlight they deserve! ✨