Dive Deeper into The Lake Plain
The Lake Plain Coastal Preserves protect the last remaining dune and swale system in Illinois—a living, breathing landscape that has been migrating along Lake Michigan's shore for nearly 4,000 years. Here, prickly pear cactus and other native wonders just miles from industrial corridors, while over 930 plant species and 310 bird species create a biodiversity hotspot that parallels much larger wilderness areas.
This isn't just a beautiful place to visit; it's a critical ecosystem that protects drinking water for 8.5 million people, provides refuge for globally rare species, and offers surrounding communities a chance to discover the extraordinary hiding in plain sight. Called by wonder, driven by purpose, the Lake Plain Coalition works to ensure this irreplaceable landscape continues to thrive for generations of curious explorers and dedicated stewards.
Meet the
Lake Plain Coalition
The Lake Plain Coalition began as a grant-funded planning initiative in 2006. The Coalition was formally established in 2010 with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Lake County Forest Preserves, The Nature Conservancy, The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, The Village of Pleasant Prairie, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and the Chiwaukee Prairie Preservation Fund, as a concerted effort to protect and manage the region’s unique and high-quality natural features, now known as The Lake Plain Coastal Preserves.
The Coalition has since developed to become a self-organized alliance of combined action, composed of agencies, organizations, and individuals interested in managing the Lake Plain through a cohesive approach across the state line, with over 20 member organizations and growing. Since the onset of the Coalition in 2006, more than $17.5 million in grant funding has been received from federal, state, and private foundation sources to support land preservation and ecological restoration through invasive species control and ecological monitoring
Called by Wonder.
Driven by Purpose.
Our mission is to conserve the ecological integrity of the Lake Plain by coordinating management and conservation efforts and objectives, sharing data and resources to improve management impact, jointly securing grant funding for the benefit of the Lake Plain, and public education and outreach.
Joined Together for Good
Exelon / Constellation Energy
Johns-Manville
Midwest Generation LLC
The Lake Plain Coalition is an alliance of governmental, institutional, non-profit, private, and individual partners who conserve, educate, and advocate for the Lake Plain Coastal Preserves. Learn more about each member organization:
Stewards of the Sacred
From education and advocacy programs to raptor banding to prescribed burns that protect from invasive species, the Lake Plain Coalition and its partners work together seamlessly to protect and care for the sacred land.
By the numbers:
930+ plant species and 300+ animal species, creating biological diversity found nowhere else in Illinois
63 state-protected animal and plant species, and 3 of which are federally protected
2+ million visitors annually discover something unexpected
$17.5+ million in conservation funding since 2006
With preservation sites just a quick trip from Chicago or Milwaukee, plan your trip today with expert tips and guides.
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