Burnham Wildlife Corridor - Burnham Nature Sanctuary

The Burnham Nature Sanctuary is one of several areas that make up the Burnham Wildlife Corridor, a 100-acre ribbon of urban wilderness running through Burnham Park. In 1998 the Chicago Park District began natural area improvements at the 9-acre site at 47th Street. Improvements included rehabilitation and enhancement of the wooded edge, the creation of a butterfly meadow, and the creation of a new prairie. A paved path and boardwalk winds through the prairie and along the woodland edge. Prairie wildflowers bloom through spring, summer, and fall, providing color and beauty to the landscape. The prairie contains many species of native grasses and wildflowers, including cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum), black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia hirta), lIttle bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), bee balm (Monarda fistulosa), butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) and many others.

The woodland edge supports spring ephemeral wildflowers such as Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), and wild ginger (Asarum canadense), as well as trees and shrubs such as gooseberries (Ribes spp.), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), and basswood (Tilia americana). These plants are native to the Chicago region and are important sources of food and cover for birds, caterpillars and butterflies, and many other species of wildlife. 

This natural area has benefited greatly from the dedication and hard work of community volunteers who collect and scatter native seed, plant native species, pick up trash, monitor vegetation and birds, and remove invasive species. Learn more about volunteer opportunities by visiting our Community Stewardship Program page.