Sacred Shores,
Shared Stewardship.
Discover 15 miles of extraordinary – where ancient dunes meet modern conservation – along the shores of Lake Michigan.
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Between Waukegan, Illinois and Kenosha, Wisconsin lies something extraordinary in plain sight – 15-miles of coastal ecosystems that time forgot, people protected, and nature reclaimed.
The Lake Plain Coastal Preserves protect the region’s last remaining dune and swale ecosystem, where ancient beach ridges tell 3,000 years of stories and over 930 plant species create a biological tapestry found nowhere else in the Chicagoland area.
This Place Belongs to All of Us
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Close to Home, Along the Coast
A quick trip from Chicago and a skip away from Milwaukee. The Lake Plain Coastal Preserves join together 8 extraordinary sites of preservation.
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In Plain Sight
Discover the home of over 930 plant species and over 300 animal species – an entire ecosystem that protects the neighboring land and lake.
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Made for Exploring
This land rewards the curious, the patient, and the reverent with extraordinary encounters. Become a caregiver of your local ecosystem
Meet the Lake Plain Coalition
The Lake Plain Coastal Preserves are cared for, managed, and conserved by the Lake Plain Coalition. The Lake Plain Coalition began in 2006 as a grant-funded planning initiative and was formally established in 2010 through a memorandum of understanding between seven founding partners.
Today, it has grown into a self-organized alliance of over 20 member organizations working across state lines to protect and restore this unique ecosystem.
Ready to experience The Lake Plain?
PLAN YOUR TRIP
From a picnic on the beach to a nature hike observing birds and plant species, the Lake Plain Coastal Preserves offers something for everyone to discover.
Discover trails for hiking, hiking, or watching birds, or make a splash with swimming, boating, and fishing.
This ecosystem has spent over 3,000 years creating something extraordinary. Now it needs your help to thrive for the next 3,000.
Deepen your connection to the environment with educational programs and volunteer opportunities.