Northwest Chicago lies next to Lake Michigan which draw beautiful towns and scenery to the area. Steve Packard, an American conservationist in the Chicago area, entered Vestal Grove through its vast prairies. The only thing that lay were tall oak trees and no signs of diversity.
The once tall-grass savannas have completely disappeared from the area and pollution made it impossible for ecologists to study the landscape. Twenty-foot-high thickets of invasive European buckthorn have overcome the native grasses and flowers.
Packard made note of the mattresses, car seats, milk crates, bottles, and cans that were left behind from teenage parties. Even more damaging and potentially harmful objects to animals lie across the area as well. Packard picked up countless Kentucky Fried Chicken take-out cartons, plastic buckets, and car parts.
What was just as disturbing as any of the trash left behind was the constant commotion of traffic from Dundee Road and the blast of jet engines flying out of O’Hare International Airport nearby. Packard felt discouraged as he realized just how deteriorated the natural beauty of northeastern Illinois had become.
The only hope for Vestal Grove is to develop a plan of conservation, such as a Greenway project to protect the garden. As pollution from Chicago continues to pile on its surrounding landscape, ecologists and residents of the area must take charge to reignite the scenic diversity native to America. Plans are being set to bring this abused haven back to an ecological paradise.
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