Lincoln Park Zoo

Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo

Grand Opening—June 24
Plunge into an urban oasis with Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo! This new, natural ecosystem offers a haven for native birds, frogs, fish, turtles, insects and more.

Enjoy this outdoor classroom. Learn in a living laboratory. See how Nature Boardwalk offers cities around the globe a new model for urban conservation and sustainability.

News | Nature Boardwalk ADOPT-an-Animal Package | Nature Boardwalk Events | Field Guide
Multimedia | Sponsors and Contributors

Dragonfly Metamorphosis In Action

At Nature Boardwalk last week I was able to witness one of nature’s most amazing spectacles right before my eyes, entirely by accident! As the zoo’s coordinator of wildlife management, I spend a lot of time surveying to see which specific species can be found at Nature Boardwalk, but some of my most amazing discoveries are by accident. This was no exception.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Posted on 31 August 2010 | 3:38 pm

Monarch Butterfly With a Secret Past Visits Nature Boardwalk

I was following around a monarch butterfly at Nature Boardwalk the other day, trying to get a decent photograph, when I noticed something unusual about this particular insect. As you might imagine, flying insects don’t pose for pictures very well, so I’d been pursuing this particular butterfly for a while. Luckily that gave me time to realize it had a sticker on one of its wings! As a biologist, I’m familiar with many ways that scientists track wildlife, but stickers on butterflies was something new for me.

Monarch butterfly showing an identification tag. See the little circular white sticker?

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Posted on 24 August 2010 | 3:12 pm

Fish Nesting Near the Patio at Café Brauer

Next time you grab a table at the new Patio at Café Brauer Patio, be sure to look over the railing at the fish that are claiming their own space at Nature Boardwalk. The relatively shallow, sunny area right in front of the patio is an excellent area for sunfish (bluegill and pumpkinseed fish) to build their nests, and they’re doing just that.

A male pumpkinseed defending his nest.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Posted on 17 August 2010 | 10:54 am

Connect with Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo by ADOPTing the species that will make this urban oasis their home! The Nature Boardwalk ADOPT-an-Animal package features dragonflies, grasshoppers and butterflies.

Each package costs $40 (plus $6 shipping and handling) and includes a dragonfly, grasshopper AND butterfly plush, personalized certificate of ADOPTion, animal fact sheet, and photograph. Click here to celebrate the opening of Nature Boardwalk with an ADOPT package.

All programs meet at the Peoples Gas Education Pavilion.

Feathered Friends 9 a.m.*
Find out which of our feathered friends call Nature Boardwalk home! Learn about birds and try your hand at bird-watching.
Binoculars provided.

Exploring the Ecosystem 10 a.m.* & 1 p.m.*
Nature Boardwalk was created to provide a new, natural habitat for pond plants and animals. Discover how ponds function and how this new ecosystem benefits local wildlife.

Before and After: A History of Nature Boardwalk 11 a.m.* & 2 p.m.*
Learn how this Chicago landmark was transformed into a striking urban oasis and outdoor classroom.

Fishy Fun 3 p.m.*
Splish splash, the new pond provides a perfect oasis for a variety of native fish species. Discover the role fish play in Nature Boardwalk ecology.

*Seasonal programs occur from June 24 to the end of September. All programs subject to change and cancellation.

Field Guide

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Zootracks: Urban Wildlife Watching
You don’t have to go to the rain forest to see wildlife. In this installment of Zoo Tracks – titled Urban Wildlife Watching – we explore wildlife watching that can be done right here in Chicago at Nature Boardwalk
at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Introducing Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo
The zoo unveiled its new urban ecosystem today, welcoming visitors to the transformed landscape of Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Nature Boardwalk Update
A season of progress in creating Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Pond in Progress
Work continues to transform the South Pond into the Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Sponsors and Contributors
The zoo thanks the following for their generous contributions to Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Block 37
Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
Chicago Park District
Chicago Transit Authority
Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity - Illinois Bureau of Tourism
Jewel
Macy’s
McCormick Foundation
Peoples Gas
The Regenstein Foundation
Women’s Board of Lincoln Park Zoological Society

ArcelorMittal
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Antonatos
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas C. Babson
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Ballantine
Bank of America Foundation
The Brinson Foundation
Stephanie L. Degen
Mr. and Mrs. James R. Donnelley
The Efroymson Family, a CICF Fund
Mr. and Mrs. John F. Fiedler
Jamee C. Field
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin F. Flynn
Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Haffner III
HSBC North America
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Illinois Tool Works Foundation
Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Lane
Mr. and Mrs. David W. Martay
Brooks McCormick Trust
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. McDowell
Courtney J. McEniry
Midwest Generation, An Edison International Company
Jack Miller and Goldie B. Wolfe Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Albert M. Niemi
Northern Trust Company
Roxy and Richard Pepper
Mr. and Mrs. Jay D. Proops
Robert D. Rodgers
Sandra K. and Earl J. Rusnak
Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Searle
Carole and Gordon Segal
The Segal Family Foundation
The Siragusa Foundation
Tawani Foundation
Elizabeth Daley Ullem and Scott Ullem