The Chicago Urban Field Station has long and deep roots in the region. The Forest Service Research group began in 1978, and although the term “Urban Field Station” was not in use then, the team worked collaboratively across disciplines and with local land managers to address local issues that have broad impact. US Forest Service State & Private Forestry added staff here in the 1990s, and the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie near Joliet was established in 1996.

Early projects included monitoring recreational use of local forest preserves, which informed a decision about whether or not to use a popular preserve for flood control or maintain it for recreation. We also studied many aspects of Lincoln Park along Lake Michigan, from the trees (count, health) to visitation and use patterns. This study added to knowledge about how recreation patterns vary across different racial and ethnic groups, which helps ensure equity in delivery of public services.

Today, the Chicago Urban Field Station is a partnership across all parts of the US Forest Service – the Northern Research Station, the Eastern Region State, Private, and Tribal Forestry, and the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.  The Chicago Urban Field Station is also a collaboration between local partners, including Chicago Wilderness, The Field Museum, the Chicago Region Trees Initiative, and many others.

We provide data and information to policy makers, land managers, and other practitioners across the Chicago area. We work closely with partners—both researchers and practitioners—on nearly everything we do.