Susan MiHalo

Near Lake Michigan in Indiana, jack pines, a northern species rare in Indiana, can be found growing next to prickly pear cacti. Odd juxtapositions like that are part of our landscape here, including the fact that several industries and neighborhoods are situated next to some of the most biodiverse preserves in the state.

Urban sprawl and development are also located next to unique ecosystems, such as globally rare dune and swale habitats and the Indiana Dunes. As much as we would like to believe co-existence is possible, something or someone is always impacted. Development in former wetlands has meant more flooding. When the oak savanna habitat was reduced, species like Karner blue butterflies disappeared from the landscape. When the port was built, the littoral drift of san

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