Monarch butterfly snacking on echinacaea inside the Sanctuary

The South Shore Nature Sanctuary

The South Shore Nature Sanctuary is a 6-acre natural area within the Chicago Park District, consisting of native ecosystems and plants that are indigenous to our midwestern landscape. It is located on Lake Michigan in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, and is open year round.

Learn More Get Involved
Photo of the lagoon and bridge on a sunny day at the Sanctuary with waving tall grasses and lily pads. Cotton Woods loom in the distance.

Events

  • 2025

    Regularly Scheduled Workdays

    Join us for monthly workdays on the third Saturday of the month from April to October, 10am - 12pm.

  • SPECIAL EVENTS

    As the season kicks off, special events will be added to the website, shared on Instagram, and included in our volunteer mailing list. Follow us to stay up to date!

Go To Events

How To Help

Photo of person's hands holding two plant plugs and a spade.

Help tend the Sanctuary

Keep the Sanctuary clean, learn how to manage and root out invasive species, nurture native pollinators, and make room for diverse ecosystems on our monthly workdays.

Get Involved