Canal Shores Hires Ecologist to Restore Habitat

The 40-acre Evanston sanctuary is implementing a three-year plan to boost biodiversity through native tree and plant restoration.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Environmental

Canal Shores Hires Ecologist to Restore Habitat

Live Poll

Should local golf courses prioritize restoring native habitats over maintaining traditional grass surfaces?

Since May 2026, Canal Shores in Evanston has employed a full-time ecologist to manage its 40-acre property as an active bird sanctuary. The initiative focuses on restoring native plant habitats to support local pollinators and bird populations.

Why it matters

By integrating professional ecological management into a golf course setting, Canal Shores is attempting to balance recreational land use with local conservation efforts. This management model prioritizes biodiversity by restoring native understory and tree cover.

The property spans 40 acres, though less than half is reserved for golf, leaving the remainder for conservation under a three-year management plan. Efforts include planting 200 native trees and implementing prescription burning to remove invasive plant species.

The players

Arielle Erwin

The full-time staff ecologist at Canal Shores responsible for executing the habitat management plan.

Canal Shores

A 40-acre Audubon-certified bird sanctuary and golf course located in Evanston.

Illinois Forestry Development Council

A state-affiliated body that provided grant funding for the property's understory planting project.

Morton Arboretum

A research institution focused on trees and conservation that provided grant funding for native tree planting in 2025.

The details

Ecologist Arielle Erwin manages the site by monitoring habitat conditions and installing native vegetation to restore the sanctuary's understory. Prescription burning—a controlled application of fire to land to reduce fuel and manage invasive species—is used to reset the ecosystem. These interventions aim to provide necessary nesting and foraging resources for birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

In 2025, Canal Shores received a Morton Arboretum grant for planting native trees.
Arielle Erwin began her role as the staff ecologist in May 2026.
Understory planting efforts were completed on October 17, 2026.
Bird walks at the sanctuary will resume in April and May 2027.

The Tech Race

Canal Shores aligns with the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf by dedicating permanent staff to ecological restoration. This marks a departure from traditional golf course maintenance, which typically prioritizes manicured turf over native biodiversity.

The public can observe the results of these habitat restoration efforts during organized bird walks. These sessions are scheduled to resume in April and May 2027 to coincide with the spring migration period.

The takeaway

Canal Shores is shifting its operational focus to prioritize native ecosystem health alongside its recreational offerings. Readers can track the site's progress by participating in the spring bird walks scheduled for April 2027.