Great Lakes Forever c/o Biodiversity Project 4507 N Ravenswood #106 Chicago, IL 60640 773-496-4020 phone 773-906-1303 fax project@biodiverse.org   Intro :: At the Beach :: Gone Fishing :: Wildlife :: In Our Homes :: Memories Hunters, birdwatchers and other wildlife enthusiasts of the Great Lakes region enjoy a rich abundance of birds and mammals. Black bears, moose, Canadian lynx, bobcats and timber wolves roam the Northwoods of Lake Superior and northern Lake Michigan and Huron. The small but rich pockets of deciduous forests ringing the lower Great Lakes brim with white-tailed deer, eastern chipmunks, red squirrels, cardinals, wood thrush and screech owl. Throughout the region, migrating waterfowl, song birds, sandpipers and plovers rest and refuel along the region’s streams, rivers and wetlands.   This incredible biodiversity is set in an array of ecosystems, including deep and shallow aquatic systems, wetlands, streams and rivers, tall-grass prairies, deciduous forests, coniferous forests, boreal forests, cliff faces and beaches. No matter where you are in the Great Lakes region, you will certainly experience the ecological niches and corresponding wildlife that live there.   Unfortunately, the abundance and health of our wildlife is threatened by pollution, habitat destruction and invasive species. Mercury and PCB contaminated fish are eaten by cormorants, herring gulls, bald eagles, and other fish-eating birds. As our cities and lake-side cottages expand in size, the habitats that these incredible species live in disappear. And invasive species push out the natives by competing for food, space and sunlight.   The Great Lakes region is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife – this unique variety enriches our lives and identifies the region. Learn more about threats to Great Lakes wildlife and what steps you can take in your life to protect it.     Learn More About Wildlife and Endangered Species in the Great Lakes Region Endangered Species - US Fish & Wildlife Service See listings of endangered or threatened species in each U.S. state, read the text of the Endangered Species Act and learn about efforts to bring some species back from the brink. You Can Attract Wildlife to Your Backyard The National Wildlife Federation offers an incredible array of resources through their Backyard Wildlife Habitat program. The site includes regional advice, an easy-to-follow online planning tool, links for ordering native plants, and more. Why not add your Great Lakes home or school to the list of more than 50,000 backyards in the program nationwide?