More than a hundred years ago, a tiny flower known as Thismia americana was last seen at Indian Ridge Marsh. That hasn’t stopped plant nerds from across the Midwest from gathering to hunt for it! This year, everybody is invited to join the Wetlands Initiative, Audubon Great Lakes, the Chicago Park District, and the Illinois Soybean Association on the ultimate nature scavenger hunt. Plus there will be snacks, prizes, and a family-friendly celebration of the people and places that make the Calumet region the vibrant community it is today.

The Mike Nowak Show, which broadcasts every Sunday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 on WCGO (1590 AM and 95.9 FM), will be joining us for the Thismia hunt this year. Co-hosts Mike Nowak and Peggy Malecki will be interviewing guests live from Indian Ridge Marsh that morning.

FREE buses will be available for this event, leaving from Bridgeport Coffee in Hyde Park, the Pullman Visitor Center, and the East Side and Hegewisch libraries. Learn more about bus pickup and dropoff times here. 

We’ll be meeting at 9:00 in the morning in the Indian Ridge Marsh parking lot at 11740 South Torrence Avenue in Chicago. We recommend bringing water, sturdy shoes, and a rain jacket just in case.

Please email us at twi@wetlands-initiative.org if you plan to attend or would like more information.