Ban Large Concerts from Montrose
Chicago Park District
6,710
Petition background
Thanks to the efforts of stewards, volunteers, and the local bird conservation community, Montrose has developed into a nationally-known showplace for urban bird conservation. Landbirds, raptors, shorebirds and waterfowl all use its habitats: 340 species have been recorded there, the largest species list of any site in Illinois, and it is an Important Bird Area.
In June of 2019, a pair of federally-endangered Piping Plovers made several nests and laid eggs on the beach. These birds recognize what we ask the park district to recognize as well: that the primary importance of the site is as a beach habitat, home to rare and endangered plants and animals and a refuge from city life.
Monty and Rose, Chicago’s very own pair of Piping Plovers, have taken up residence on Montrose Beach. There are only about 70 pairs remaining in the Great Lakes population. The pair have established a nest which volunteers are guarding in shifts during daylight. The first set of eggs was removed for off- site incubation due to imminent flooding. As of this writing, they are attempting to renest on higher ground. UPDATE: they are incubating 4 eggs.
The music festival, Mamby on the Beach, has applied for a permit to bring tens of thousands of people to the beach or adjacent park in late August. CAS, COS and Illinois Ornithological Society request that it be moved.
More info here: https://news.wttw.com/2019/06/14/mamby-music-festival-chicago-prompts-pushback-over-endangered-birds