Openlands

Community members came together to plant native plugs (young plants) across a 750 sq ft area at a new Neighbor-Space acquisition along the Little Calumet River near Beaubien Woods, contributing to a more connected pollinator network along the river!

In the 1800s, the area was part of Ton Farm which served as a stop for freedom seekers navigating the Underground Railroad. Over the past 50+ years, locals have informally farmed the area. Since 2020, it’s been recognized as a site on the African American Heritage Water Trail (AAHWT), which highlights nearly 180 years of African American history along the river.

To learn more about the AAHWT and local area history, take a look at the curriculum inspired by community leaders and members, historians, and youth who continue to preserve and share the stories of the AAHWT. Read the curriculum in English or Spanish here: https://ow.ly/rKIm50Zn72R

Thank you to our partners who are also working on the new native plantings including Altgeld Murray Alumni, Riverdale Community Landtrust, People for Community Recovery, and The Field Museum, among others! And thank you to our AAHWT curriculum partners at Tumbao Bilingual Books, Wayfinding LLC, and the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources Coastal Management Program. Thanks also to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) our funder for the plantings!