The northern boundary of the study area is only 20 miles from Downtown Milwaukee and parts of the zone lie within the Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau). The Wildlife Service estimates that 12 million people live within two hours of the area.

The region is hurting for wetlands. Illinois’s wetlands, according to the Wildlife Service, are down 90 percent from their original levels, while Wisconsin has lost 47 percent of its wetlands, but more than 75 percent of its wetlands in the southern part of this state. Wetlands have been destroyed due to both agricultural and urban development. Besides providing natural habitats, wetlands improve water quality and lessen flooding by slowing the flow of storm water into rivers and streams.

The study area is home to 49 birds, 47 plants, five fishes, five mussels, two reptiles and one amphibian that are considered “species of concern,” meaning they’re on federal or state lists of threatened, endangered or otherwise at-risk species.