CWA Congress Lake Plain Field Trip Itinerary

Thursday, November 5, 2026

Led by Belynda Alberte, Lake Plain Coalition Coordinator/Natural Resource Specialist

Morning Session:

8:30AM Meet at parking lot southeast of North Point Marina

North Point Dr, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096

• Participant sign in

8:45AM Intro to the Lake Plain Coastal Preserves and the Lake Plain Coalition

9:00AM Illinois Beach State Park, North Unit – Site 1

• Walk trail to beach. Highlight flora/fauna & site history

• Explain geologic history & formation of ridge and swale

• Talk about rubble ridges + why they are there

• Walk back on trail towards North Dunes NP (INPC) & Camp Logan

• Walk back towards parking lot, talk about Savanna ecosystem

10:00AM Spring Bluff Forest Preserve - Site 2

• Walk from parking lot to Spring Bluff

• Stop at sign, highlight site history & flora/fauna

• Take trail to observation platform, explore views from platform

• Talk about LPC restoration, site hydrology

• Highlight Blanding’s Turtle Recovery Program

• Walk back to parking lot

10:45AM Drive to Site 3 – Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area, Unit 1

~10min drive via Sheridan Rd, arrive and park at 122^nd St gate

11:05AM Chiwaukee Prairie SNA Unit 1 – Site

• Walk down grass trail into Unit 1

• Highlight land use history of site and partnerships

• Highlight flora/fauna

• Talk about Kenosha Dunes Unit

• Walk North on Gen Crema Trail (if not too wet)

• Walk back to 122^nd St gate

12:00PM Drive back to parking lot southeast of North Point Marina

North Point Dr, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096, ~10min drive via Sheridan Rd

12:10-:30PM Closing remarks.

LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED