Illinois Success Story

NRCS in the City

By: Jill Creamean, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist
Date: May 2003

While NRCS is known for resource solutions in rural communities and agricultural circles, it is not unusual for a client or community leader from the City of Chicago or a suburban area to call on the agency for technical assistance. Natural resources make up the land—be it urban or rural. Protection of resources in urban and suburban settings is just as crucial. The ‘wild’ areas in Chicagoland are precious; they are harder and harder to find. In 2002, NRCS worked with communities to maintain the quality and the biodiversity of many valuable urban resources:

Watershed Planning Groups—

NRCS provides technical guidance and planning assistance for Silver Creek, Poplar Creek, Salt Creek, the Little Calumet River and many other Watershed Planning Groups.

Chicago Area Municipalities—

NRCS provides technical information, review and comment on municipal erosion and sediment control ordinances.

Chicago River—

NRCS completed several streambank evaluations and designed streambank stabilization projects for the North Branch of the Chicago River and other sites in the region.

Forest Preserve Districts—

NRCS provides technical assistance on many issues for DuPage, Lake, Will and Cook Counties.

Park Districts—

NRCS provided intensive investigation data for Park Districts in Nile and Fuller Park. Data will be used for planning, drainage improvements and renovation.

Chicago Agricultural High School—

NRCS technical specialists assist with classroom and field instruction on resource related and land use management issues.

Chicago Department of Environment—

Developed a conservation plan and began topographic and soil survey studies for the Department’s 46 acres in Chicago.

Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History—

NRCS scientists continue to provide training, educational materials, and soil samples to visitors at the Underground Adventure exhibit. For a preview, visit the Web at www.fieldmuseum.org/ua/default.htm.

Southland Chamber of Commerce—

Provided natural resource information to assist local communities with land use and planning issues.

North Shore Country Club—

NRCS Soil Scientists and GIS Specialists compiled soil survey data of the golf course. Data will assist in drainage and soil-related resource management strategies.