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© Copyright By Illinois Dunesland Preservation Society. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome to the Illinois Dunesland Preservation Society
P.O. Box 466 ![]()
Protecting the Nation's First State Dedicated Nature Preserve
Protecting the Nation's First State Dedicated Nature Preserve
![]() ![]() Illinois Dunesland Preservation Society ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
Illinois Dunesland Preservation Society is the environmental organization that co-founded Illinois Beach State Park in 1948, including the southern 900 acres that in 1964 became the first state Dedicated Nature Preserve in the United States. Dunesland’s organizational meeting was held in 1944; we received our state charter in 1950. The primary goal we have pursued for many years has been to protect the natural beauty and integrity of the park and its surrounding environment, which includes Lake Michigan. Dunesland has been involved in park stewardship for decades in various programs throughout the park to try to preserve it for the enjoyment of future generations. Since the 1910’s, the nature lovers who eventually founded Dunesland have been the park’s custodians with a unique and special interest in this valuable ecological setting.
Parcels of land have been added over the years; the park now comprises more than 4000 acres. Illinois Beach State Park is the most visited park in the state and one of the most visited parks in the country. The area was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the U. S. Department of the Interior in 1980 and is one of the richest, most biologically diverse areas in the state. It is considered to be Illinois’s “Crown Jewel” and contains the highest number of endangered species to be found in an Illinois park. The Nature Preserve supports many species of ducks, shorebirds, gulls, herons, rails and songbirds and is a perfect location to observe the migrations of hawks, falcons and shorebirds. It is one of the most popular birding areas in our state.
Just north of these pines is the Dead River which actually is a stream that is blocked by sandbars much of the year, forming an elongated pond. When the water finally rises high enough, it breaks through the sandbar and drains the surrounding marshes. The abundance of aquatic plants and fish flourishing in this changing environment is in stark contrast to the river’s name. On a typical summer weekend, thousands of people enjoy the dunes, sandy prairies, an oak forest, marshes, a river, ponds, trails, campgrounds, picnic grounds, hiking trails, an occasionally opened interpretive center which no longer has a professional staff, fishing, a resort, North Point Marina, and the beautiful, sandy Lake Michigan beach. ![]() News Flash ________________________
Black Eyed Susan
Gerardia
Chicory
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Bullhead Lily
Spiderwort
Viceroy Butterfly
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Durbin Seeks Summit ------------------------------------------ ![]()
A Decade of Asbetos ------------------------------------------ ![]() Our Toxic Beach ------------------------------------------ ![]() Poison Beach ------------------------------------------ New Asbestos Dump Found at State Park. ![]() State Park Shame ------------------------------------------
A Spoiled Shoreline ![]() ![]() Spring 2008 Media ![]() ------------------------------------------ ![]() ![]() Lakefront Nuclear Risks ------------------------------------------ ![]() |