Threatened and Endangered Animals and Plants in the FPDCC

Protecting and Preserving the Forest Preserves of Cook County for Future Generations

Endangered Populations in the Forest Preserve District of Cook County

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) harbors 173 species of plants and animals designated as State Endangered or Threatened by the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board. Of this total, 123 are plants and 50 are animals. Animals are distributed in the following groups: 3 fish, 2 reptiles, 1 amphibian, 39 birds, 1 mammal, and 4 invertebrates.

Federally listed species are indicated by asterisks:

** Federally Endangered
* Federally Threatened

The Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act prohibits the possession, taking, transportation, sale, offer for sale, or disposal of any listed animal or products of listed animals without a permit issued by the Department of Conservation. Also prohibited are the taking of listed plants without the expressed written permission of the landowner and the sale or offer to sell plants or plant products of endangered species.

Definitions:

Extinction: No member of the species now exists.

Federally Endangered Species: Any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

Federally Threatened Species: Any species which is likely to become an Endangered Species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

State Endangered Species: Any species which is in danger of extinction as a breeding species in Illinois.

State Threatened Species: Any breeding species which is likely to become a State Endangered Species within the foreseeable future in Illinois.

Take: In reference to animals and animal products, to harm, hurt, shoot, pursue, lure, wound, kill, destroy, harass, gig, spear, ensnare, trap, capture, collect, or to attempt to engage in such conduct. In reference to plants and plant products, to collect, pick, cut, dig up, kill, destroy, bury, crush, or harm in any manner.

View the FPDCC Endangered and Threatened Species by State Illinois Listing

The most precious things of life are near at hand.
John Burroughs, Naturalist

After almost 200 years of intensive human settlement, most of Cook County’s original prairies, wetlands, woodlands and forests are now limited to protected preserves. Unfortunately, even in preserves, the native animals, plants, and even whole ecosystems face threats to their survival. Pollution, habitat loss, changes in hydrology, lack of periodic fire, and intense competition their toll. Many of our native species’ survival depends on taking positive action now, before it is too late.

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County is facing the challenges of preserving biodiversity and protecting our precious natural heritage with a variety of programs. Working together with both citizen volunteers and public and private agencies, the District strives to protect and restore the county’s diverse ecosystems, so all our unique native plants and animals can live and thrive.

Forest Preserve staff are working hard to reverse the tide of extinction, by acquiring, protecting, and maintaining open space, restoring the rare ecosystems, and conducting research to learn about biodiversity.

You can help! Call (630) 257-2045 for more information.

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