Premiere ChicagoNatureNow! Alert
The turning earth is the dimmer switch, gradually recasting every dim dewdrop, petal, and blade of grass into a galaxy of blazing bulbs and lustrous lamps. On this morning in late May, blooms of golden coreopsis and New Jersey tea are set aglow alongside shimmering spider webs that cling to last year’s grasses. (Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, Illinois)
The premiere ChicagoNatureNow! Alert appears below. However, before I recommend the best nature preserve to visit this weekend, I’d like to give you some background about this website and my mission: to support Chicago nature by connecting Chicagoans with nature.
There are over 350 square miles of natural area within about an hour’s drive of downtown Chicago. Unfortunately, most Chicagoans don’t even know it’s there. And because you can’t love and support something that doesn’t exist, I’ve made it my mission to play matchmaker—to introduce Chicagoans to that gorgeous neighbor next door and to spark thousands and thousands of love affairs.
Chicago Nature Now! is a platform to help you learn when and where to experience the finest natural events in the Chicago region. The website builds on my recently published and nationally acclaimed coffee table photography book, entitled My Journey into the Wilds of Chicago: A Celebration of Chicagoland’s Startling Natural Wonders. I created both informational and inspirational works to help you discover the wonders of nature for yourself.
I offered my book and, now, this website as my gifts to you and to the world. They are works of love, not just in their creation but in their goal: to connect people with nature and to spark countless love affairs. Yet, they are merely doorways into the natural world. I invite you to cross the threshold, go outside, and explore. Be awed by nature’s beauty. Ponder its mysteries and delight in its wonder. And, if you do, you will surely fall into everlasting love.
I will post frequent alerts about upcoming natural events from around the area. The events happening right now will appear in the small box on the Home page (the ChicagoNatureNow! Alert window) and on the RIGHT NOW! page. A history of alerts will appear in the Blog.
Currently, the website features thirty nature preserves that are also celebrated in my book. Each preserve has a pin on the map and its own web page, where you can get directions. These locations are the best examples of Chicago’s rich and unique biodiversity, while also providing a sweet retreat from the toils of life. Over time, I will be adding more preserves to this website based on specific criteria (see Frequently Asked Questions).
Recently, I discovered that there is no single source of Chicago nature information, and I want to solve that. Therefore, I have started an ever-expanding Chicago nature glossary to help you understand, for instance, what a prairie is or the definition of “sesquipedalian.” Oh, do I love that word! My goal is to collect hundreds of nature terms, but I’m not a scientist. Therefore, if you’re a learned expert, please help me to increase and improve the glossary so that everyone in our community can benefit.
Now, go visit these special places, cherish them, and care for them. Then spread the word and encourage others to experience the magic. And when you visit, take snapshot and post it on social media using the hashtag #ChicagoNatureNow.
So, without further adieu, to follow is my first ChicagoNatureNow! Alert about a glorious event that is occurring right now! Now get out there, fall in love, and then spread the good word!
-Mike
PREMIERE CHICAGO NATURE ALERT: 6/9/16
In a celebration of life, blooms of sand coreopsis spread with golden joy along the banks of the Dead River at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, Illinois.
Where:
Illinois Beach Nature Preserve in Zion, Illinois
What:
- Gleeful blooms of yellow sand coreopsis take over the sand prairie along the eastern trail.
- In the black oak savanna, see beautiful displays of blue wild lupine and golden hoary puccoon.
When:
RIGHT NOW through Sunday, June 12 and possibly beyond. Hey, it’s nature. Flowers fade. However, in the Chicago area, new flowers are ALWAYS just a few days away, especially at Illinois Beach Nature Preserve.
Watch my video of Illinois Beach Nature Preserve as recorded on June 6, 2016:
