Northerly Island 12th Street Beach Dunes Natural Area

Northerly Island's 12th Street Beach Dunes contains sandy beach and dunes just south of the Adler Planetarium and the 12th Street swimming beach. It is home to native grasses, sedges, and forbs, and is an important habitat for migrating, nesting, and shore birds. A paved path runs along the western border of the natural area, offering visitors the opportunity to view the diverse ecology of this unique lakefront habitat.