Highland Park

Ecosystem Overview

The Highland Park ecosystem supports 63 documented wildlife species across 61 taxonomic genera. Located in Illinois, this area provides critical habitat for regional wildlife. The location hosts 13 frequently observed species and 12 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Chicago nearby has 37% more documented species, Highland Park offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #117 for species diversity among 594 Illinois natural areas, placing it in the 80th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#117

Regional Rank

Out of 594 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common19 species

Occasional19 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#117 of 594 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Chicago

-37% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

‌
‌
‌
‌

Biodiversity Highlights

‌

Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

‌

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 63 total documented species.

Juniperus virginiana

Red Cedar Juniper

Very Common4 obs.

Rhamnus cathartica

purging buckthorn

Very Common2 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common2 obs.

Viburnum lentago

nannyberry

Very Common2 obs.

Ficaria verna

Lesser Celandine

Very Common2 obs.

Taenidia integerrima

Golden Alexander

Common2 obs.

Hesperis matronalis

Dames rocket

Common2 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Common1 obs.

Sitta carolinensis

White-Breasted Nuthatch (Interior West)

Common1 obs.

Sayornis phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

Common1 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Common1 obs.

Carpinus caroliniana

Blue Beech

Occasional1 obs.

Pseudacris maculata

Boreal Chorus Frog

Occasional1 obs.

Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae

Juniper-Apple Rust

Occasional1 obs.

Hemerocallis fulva

Fulvous Day-Lily

Occasional1 obs.

Erythronium americanum

trout-lily

Occasional1 obs.

Trillium recurvatum

Prairie Trillium

Occasional1 obs.

Allium cernuum

nodding wild onion

Rare1 obs.

Vanessa atalanta

Red Admiral

Rare1 obs.

Epiphragma fasciapenne

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 63 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.

Most Common Species

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

Want the Complete Field Guide?

‌
‌

‌

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Highland Park. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Highland Park. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

Email Address (for delivery)

Your field guide will be delivered to this email address. Please double-check for accuracy.

$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-33%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Chicago

Importance: 0.78

100 species

-37% vs. current

Illinois

Importance: 0.78

100 species

-37% vs. current

Springfield

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-37% vs. current

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-37% vs. current

Peoria

Importance: 0.54

48 species

+31% vs. current

Champaign

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-37% vs. current

Naperville

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-37% vs. current

Rockford

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-37% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Illinois.

Regional Comparison

‌

Regional Ranking

‌

Species Count

‌

vs. Regional Average

‌

Nearby Natural Areas

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

About This Comparison

‌
‌
‌

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-33%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Illinois

Nearby Natural Areas

Chicago

Importance: 0.78

100 species

-37% vs. current

Illinois

Importance: 0.78

100 species

-37% vs. current

Springfield

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-37% vs. current

Evanston

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-37% vs. current

Peoria

Importance: 0.54

48 species

+31% vs. current

Champaign

Importance: 0.54

100 species

-37% vs. current

Naperville

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-37% vs. current

Rockford

Importance: 0.53

100 species

-37% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

#117

Regional Rank

Out of 594 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common13 species

Common19 species

Occasional19 species

Rare12 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#117 of 594 locations

80th percentile for diversity

vs. Chicago

-37% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 63 total documented species.

Juniperus virginiana

Red Cedar Juniper

Very Common4 obs.

Rhamnus cathartica

purging buckthorn

Very Common2 obs.

Odocoileus virginianus

Key Deer

Very Common2 obs.

Viburnum lentago

nannyberry

Very Common2 obs.

Ficaria verna

Lesser Celandine

Very Common2 obs.

Taenidia integerrima

Golden Alexander

Common2 obs.

Hesperis matronalis

Dames rocket

Common2 obs.

Cardinalis cardinalis

Northern Cardinal

Common1 obs.

Sitta carolinensis

White-Breasted Nuthatch (Interior West)

Common1 obs.

Sayornis phoebe

Eastern Phoebe

Common1 obs.

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Common1 obs.

Carpinus caroliniana

Blue Beech

Occasional1 obs.

Pseudacris maculata

Boreal Chorus Frog

Occasional1 obs.

Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae

Juniper-Apple Rust

Occasional1 obs.

Hemerocallis fulva

Fulvous Day-Lily

Occasional1 obs.

Erythronium americanum

trout-lily

Occasional1 obs.

Trillium recurvatum

Prairie Trillium

Occasional1 obs.

Allium cernuum

nodding wild onion

Rare1 obs.

Vanessa atalanta

Red Admiral

Rare1 obs.

Epiphragma fasciapenne

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 63 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.