ECO-Tours

About eco-tours

A tour of or visit to an exotic natural environment, intended to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife. Join us as you learn of the history of the Southeast Side through nature.

Current eco-tours Available

Tours run from spring to fall on an ad hoc basis.

For current schedule and cost information please feel free to contact us at 773-646-0436

For an additional fee, schools and organizations can request a private tour by contacting our office at 773-646-0436.

Proceeds from the tour other programming and activities hosted by the Southeast Environmental Task Force.

Our Previous eco-tours

Toxic To Treasures Tour

Our Toxic to Treasures tour is a 3 hour tour of the natural areas, restoration work and industrial sites found on the  Southeast side of Chicago.  The two hours of sightseeing is followed by lunch at an establishment offering local color and flavor.


Available Tour sites:

  • OBrien Locks
  • Hegewisch Marsh
  • MWRD Property
  • CID Landfills
  • Land & Lakes Composting
  • Harborside Golf Course
  • Paxton Landfills
  • Cluster sites
  • Ford Supplier Park
  • Indian Ridge Marshes
  • Wolf Lake
  • Lake Calumet
  • Acme Coke Plant
  • The Calumet River
  • Indian Creek
  • City Auto Pound

As most Chicagoans know, this section of the city has a legacy of heavy industry and has long been the dumping ground for much of the city’s industrial and sanitation waste.  Furthermore, unlike the Chicago River, our Calumet River is a working river, zoned for heavy industry.  This tour showcases the natural beauty of wetlands and prairies nestled between remnants of former industrial sites.  On the tour you’ll see an abundance of flora and fauna, beautiful bridges along the oft-ignored Calumet River, Chicago’s second AND third largest lakes, and a former trash dump turned into an international golf course.