🌾 A Day on the Dunes 🌾

Yesterday we spent a beautiful, windswept day caring for the Rainbow Beach Dunes-Chicago’s own slice of rare Midwestern wilderness right on the lakefront. Together, we cleared invasive plants, made space for native ones to thrive, and deepened our love for this precious, growing ecosystem.

We were joined by our Hyde Park neighbor and longtime Rainbow Beach friend, Sheron Shapiro, who grew up here and said she was grateful to be reminded of the dunes’ everlasting beauty.

And leading the way as always was Jacob Klippenstein, a long-standing member of the Rainbow Beach Park Advisory Council and dedicated steward of these dunes. Jacob’s knowledge and care for this space continue to inspire all of us.

Learn more about our work together at: https://www.rainbowbeachparkpac.org/.../%F0%9F%8C%BF-2025...

2025 Habitat Restoration Season at Rainbow Beach Dunes

From April through October, we meet every 4th Saturday of the month to nurture this vital habitat.

 No experience needed. Just bring your love for nature (and maybe some sunscreen).

Here are just a few of the delicate flowers of the dunes we were lucky enough to encounter:

 Argentina anserina – Silverweed

 Baptisia australis – Blue False Indigo

 Coreopsis lanceolata – Coreopsis

 Iris pallida – Sweet Iris

 Arabidopsis arenosa – Sand Rockcress

 Tradescantia ohiensis – Smooth Spiderwort

 Penstemon hirsutus – Northeastern Beardtongue

 Opuntia macrorhiza – Western Prickly Pear

 Lithospermum canescens – Hoary Puccoon

 Yes, you read that right-we have cactus growing wild in the Midwest.  Come see it for yourself.

This is a living classroom, a spiritual recharge station, and one of the best-kept secrets of the South Side. Bring your family & friends and join us next time and explore the magic of the dunes!

#RainbowBeachDunes #SouthSideNature #ChicagoParks #HabitatRestoration #DelicateDuneFlowers #CactusInChicago #GetOutside #DuneStewardship