Wild Things 2025

Cradling the shore of south Lake Michigan, the bi-state Calumet Region represents an ecologically diverse landscape that was permanently altered by steel mills and industrial-scale landscape manipulation. Recent habitat restoration efforts have revealed that even some of the most environmentally destroyed sites have the potential to eventually function as refugia for wildlife. Capture-mark-recapture methods were used to estimate population parameters of two species of deer mouse: the once-thought-extirpated prairie deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) and the white-footed deer mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) across two habitat types at three Chicago natural areas with substantial historical degradation (Big Marsh Park, Beaubien Woods, and Marian Byrnes Park). Preliminary results indicate that even altered landscapes can provide important habitat for small mammals, including locally rare species.

The creeks and streams of the Forest Preserves of Cook County are of great value and provide unique habitat for the local flora and fauna, as well as playing a major role in the local ecosystems. Unfortunately, we are void of much data on these sites. The information gained can be most helpful in directing restoration efforts, as well as providing baseline information on these great systems.

I will explore the challenges and changes facing flatwoods amphibians over two decades of monitoring, as habitat restoration efforts resulted in changes in amphibian community structure. I will discuss conservation outcomes for reintroduction efforts, instances of natural colonization, and impacts of drought on amphibian fitness.