Location: Big Marsh Park, 11559 S. Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL

Date: Saturday, 10/17/26

Schedule:

12:00 PM - Arrivals and check-in
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM - Nature walk
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM - Performances
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Meet & Greet and Photos

Join visiting musicians Bonner Black and Walker Burroughs and COS for a nature walk and concert at Big Marsh. This is part of their Flyway Tour. Bonner will lead the bird ID and Walker will lead the tree ID. COS representatives will be on hand to discuss conservation initiatives at Big Marsh and Calumet area including habitat restoration and the bird banding station at Big Marsh.

Tickets:

$30 Adult

$13 Children under 12

About Big Marsh:

The location is significant as it was a former dumping site for slag and industrial waste. After extensive environmental remediation and habitat restoration, Big Marsh Park has become one of Chicago’s favorite destinations for outdoor recreation including birdwatching and biking. Efforts to restore the habitat to its native state are ongoing. Many species of birds can be found at Big Marsh including shorebirds and waterfowl. It is also one location within Chicago city limits where Bald Eagles can be reliably observed.

Conservation Efforts:

COS runs a bird banding station at Big Marsh which is part of a network of projects implementing the Institute for Bird Populations’ Monitoring Avian Productivity & Survivorship program (MAPS). The station just completed their seventh year of monitoring breeding populations. By catching and banding birds, scientists can document data on these individuals and monitor the health of their populations.

Stephanie Beilke from Audubon Great Lakes and former vice president of COS will be on hand to explain her work at the Big Marsh Banding Station.

Accessibility:

Total trip distance is approximately 1 mile and will take place mostly on paved, crushed-gravel, or dirt trails that are relatively level with minimal incline. Any recent rain may create muddy conditions.

Restrooms are available in the Ford Calumet Environmental Center.

Weather/Attire/Other:

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Please bring bottled water. Dress for the weather. Based on the forecast, you may want to bring a jacket.

Parking is free in the lot. The location is not easily accessible by public transit. Carpools are encouraged.

Respiratory Illness Precautions:

COS supports the decision of individual trip participants to wear masks.