The unique gem of Calumet City, the Superior Street Prairie, is a site of ecological significance. Home to rare plants, animals, and other wildlife, it was once the shoreline of an ancient lake that dates back thousands of years. Today, it stands as a haven of peace and tranquility, attracting nature enthusiasts like LaTonya Jones, who find it an oasis of calm amidst the chaos of human civilization.
Yet, this ecological jewel is under threat. Degradation from invasive species and human activity puts the site at risk. In response, a call has been raised for volunteers to assist in the protection and maintenance of the ecosystem. Protecting this site is beneficial to us all, for it plays a huge role in ecological equilibrium.
Located in Calumet City and spread over approximately 30 acres, part of a larger 100-acre site, Superior Street Prairie proves its ecological significance in numerous ways. For instance, it helps mitigate flooding in streets, provide a habitat for pollinators that support food production, and plays a fundamental role in maintaining the county’s biodiversity.
However, the site’s maintenance efforts are labour-intensive and require a large workforce, something that the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission lacks. According to Jonathan Sabath, the Northeast Illinois field representative with Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves, the nine-member staff is insufficient for monitoring over 600 nature preserves across the state.
To tackle this issue, Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves, founded in 2020 and dedicated to supporting the Illinois Nature Preserves System, has organized a volunteer recruitment event in Calumet City. The event seeks to recruit more volunteers to join existing workers and provision resources, funds, and personnel to maintain the preserves.
Volunteers, regardless of their experience or knowledge in ecological conservation, can participate in preserving and restoring the Superior Street Prairie. The unique plants and animals in the preserve will benefit directly from the efforts. Volunteers also stand a chance to learn about the ecosystem, bolster their expertise and contribute substantially to conservation efforts.
Volunteering activities range from identifying invasive species, seed collection, the creation of “burn breaks”, and tree cutting to allow for new growth. Notably, the site once housed rare orchids, carnivorous plants, birds and butterflies, some of which haven’t been spotted for years. With the nourishment from volunteering efforts, existing species can flourish and perhaps even attract the return of species that have disappeared over the years.
People like Jones, who learned about the site at a Calumet City library info session, have been volunteering for less than a year and are calling for more people to join the noble cause. Her hope is that “the prairie volunteer project will attract people who care about the planet and the green space.”
Chicago South Side resident, Beersheba Abernathy—the founder of Need an Angel Sons and Daughters Association—has been volunteering along with about a dozen youth from her non-profit organization since last year. She encourages people to understand the role they play in maintaining ecosystems and the potential positive impacts they can make.
The volunteer recruitment drive is scheduled for 13th October, from 2 to 5 p.m. Importantly, preserving these natural treasures is crucial and volunteers can take pride in the contribution they’ve made to maintaining the biodiversity and stability of their local ecosystems. For more information, the Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves can be contacted at superiorstreet@friendsilnature.org.
