Conservation and Advocacy Projects
COS addresses a variety of issues impacting birds within the city of Chicago and on public lands, including county forest preserve districts, municipal parks, and natural and open spaces. The committee raises awareness of threats to birds in our community through petitions and media campaigns, often interfacing with City Council and leadership in other organizations to promote welfare of wild bird populations. Ongoing projects include the LaBagh Woods/North Branch Restoration Project, the Calumet Initiative, and the Chicago Nighthawk Project.
A great way to learn more about our projects is to volunteer at a stewardship workday! Browse a list of all upcoming workday events here.
Young Piping Plover named Hazel; photo by Tamima Itani
Protecting Chicago’s Piping Plovers
With only 70 breeding pairs remaining in the Great Lakes region, Piping Plovers arriving at Montrose Beach in Chicago in 2019 was a thrilling surprise. The pair named Monty and Rose stole the hearts of Chicago and the world! Chicago’s birding organizations, including COS, sprinted into action and organized volunteer monitoring teams with help from Fish and Wildlife protections for the birds on one of Chicago’s busiest summer spots. COS continues to support the plovers, including Monty and Rose’s descendants, with an annual Plover Watch and with efforts to keep Montrose Beach habitat clean and bird-friendly. For more information, see the Chicago Piping Plovers website.
Want to help monitor? Contact us.
An adult Common Nighthawk with young; photo by Marion Miller
Black-Crowned Night Herons
Black-crowned Night-Herons (BCNH) have been an Illinois state endangered bird since 1977. Conservationists are concerned that such a large proportion of the state population in a single breeding colony at Lincoln Park could predispose the birds to further threats (e.g. an avian influenza outbreak or impacts of a storm event), as well as increase pressures on the nesting habitat (tree health) as the concentration of guano increases. COS members are active in monitoring and advocating for the birds’ protection in Lincoln Park and throughout the city.
Ongoing scientific research is being completed by our partners at the Chicago BCNH Project.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker killed by window collision; photo by Robyn Detterline
Advocating for Bird-Safe Buildings
Chicago is the deadliest city in the U.S for migrating birds, but this can be changed through intentional, bird-friendly urban design. The COS board and members are active in promoting the Bird-Safe Buildings Act that the Chicago City Council has passed but not yet acted on. We advocate for bird-safe design when notably dangerous projects are proposed in the Chicago area, including the Bally’s Casino downtown, a Carvana building in Skokie, and a development project in Lincoln Yards. Additionally, we provide support to the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors and many of our members volunteer with that organization to rescue injured birds.
Christmas Bird Count
COS has been coordinating the Lisle-Arboretum Christmas Bird Count, the oldest and one of the largest in Illinois, since 1937. This annual winter bird census is part of a community science effort organized nationwide by the National Audubon Society, including several others in the Chicago region. Over 35,000 individual birds were recorded on the count day in 2022! No matter the weather, the collective search for avian life contributes critical long-term data to bird conservation efforts and generates memories and camaraderie that lasts for years.
LaBagh Report
Habitat restoration takes time and it is often many years before desired impacts are readily apparent. After almost a decade of diligent restoration, a pilot study was conducted to evaluate the results of the work that hundreds of volunteers have undertaken at LaBagh Woods. The Migratory Bird Feature Usage at LaBagh Woods report is a comprehensive look at the ongoing restoration and a validation of its success so far, aimed at assisting land stewards in future planning.
Vote Yes for the Forest Preserves
COS advocated in favor of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Wildlife Habitat Protection Referendum which would increase funding and resources for the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The referendum passed with overwhelming support on November 8, 2022.