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The African American Heritage Water Trail
Connecting African American history and ecological richness
© Openlands
In this episode, Lillian Holden — a Chicago-based environmental educator — introduces us to the African American Heritage Water Trail, a 7-mile stretch along the Little Calumet River and the Cal-Sag Channel that flows through the south side of Chicago. Highlighting over 180 years of African American history, the Water Trail includes historical sites linked to the Underground Railroad, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the environmental justice movement. It also features ecological richness and abundant wildlife, including many species of birds.
BirdNote®
The African American Heritage Water Trail
Written by Lillian Holden
This is BirdNote. I’m Lillian Holden, an environmental educator, birder, and Illinois Waterway paddling enthusiast.
[African American Heritage Water Trail soundscape with Northern Parula]
The African American Heritage Water Trail is 7 miles along the Little Calumet River and the Cal-Sag Channel. The Water Trail flows through several south-side Chicago neighborhoods and highlights over 180 years of African American history. It includes sites such as Ton Farm, which served as a stop for freedom seekers navigating the Underground Railroad.
Then there’s the Robbins Airport, a flight school founded by Cornelius Coffey and John Robinson that trained pilots for the famous Tuskegee Airmen. Finally, there’s the Altgeld Gardens community, where the Mother of Environmental Justice Hazel Johnson championed an executive order that protects communities of color from environmental injustice.
The African American Heritage Water Trail details local history and features ecological richness with abundant wildlife — wildlife like birds. On a sunny day with a bright blue sky, paddling along the Water Trail is ethereal. Along the banks of Little Calumet River, I’ve encountered herons stoically perching, kingfishers patrolling their territories…
[Belted Kingfisher rattle call]
… and swallows whimsically gliding.
[Tree Swallows calling]
Black Americans have consistently had deep connections to the land severed. Paddling along the Water Trail bridges inequities in water recreation, and is a voyage of the heart, spirit, and soul.
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Producer: Mark Bramhill
Managing Editor: Jazzi Johnson
Managing Producer: Conor Gearin
Content Director: Jonese Franklin
Bird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Northern Parula ML559622401 recorded by Phillip Stosberg, Belted Kingfisher ML326947681 recorded by Michael S. Taylor, and Tree Swallow ML103105021 recorded by Ryan Sanderson.
BirdNote’s theme was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.
© 2024 BirdNote June 2024
Narrator: Lillian Holden
ID# aahwt-01-2024-06-01 aahwt-01
Lillian Holden
Writer NarratorSights & Sounds
