Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary

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Chesterton, IN
Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary

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To transform an old town dump into a wildlife habitat for Migratory birds. To provide a quiet place within the town to relax. Most of our area is wetland.

Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary is being developed by Porterco Conservation Trust, Inc., a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. We are transforming a former town dump into a bird sanctuary and public park area, all within Chesterton's city limit. We have approximately 40 acres, including Griffin Lake. We are staffed primarily by volunteers, with help from various local entities and private contributions.. Our website is ..www.westchesterbird.org. Questions and contributions should be directed to this site. Our street address is 1050 s. 11th St, Chesterton, In.

10/08/2026

It's that time again to get your bird feeders cleaned! The "Clean-a-Feeder" at Chesterton Feed & Garden Center to benefit the Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary is coming right up! Drop off your feeders from 10/8 - 10/13. $5 donation for feeder or bird house. Pick up feeders on Saturday, Oct. 17. 400 Locust Street, Chesterton.

09/20/2026

A huge thank you to the Duneland Garden Club for their recent generous donation. The “pick-a-bouquet” garden is ready despite Mother Nature! Help yourself to a bouquet and brighten someone’s day. Scissors are there.

09/11/2026

Greetings friends of The Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary! We still need your assistance with our post-derecho clean up project. Please join us, tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 12 starting at 9 am. We have more chain sawing, raking, and collecting to do. We advise long pants, long sleeves, closed shoes, work gloves, and insect repellent. We hope to see you then!

08/27/2026

Good morning friends of the Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary! We still need your help if you are available for clean up, chain sawing, raking and gathering fallen branches this coming Saturday morning, August 29 starting at 9 am. Bring work gloves, insect repellent (the skeeters are hungry!), closed shoes, and your love of nature! We got a good start on August 22, but there is more work to be done! See you then.

08/25/2026

A huge thank you to the dozen volunteer helpers we had on Saturday, August 22 to continue our efforts to clear the storm damage from the 8/11 derecho. Several chain saw operators and several branch gatherers made a big difference. We were able to reopen access to the south trail, among other things.

Another chain saw gang and helpers gang are needed on Saturday, August 29 starting at 9am. Please join us if you can. We still have more fallen trees and branches to clear.

08/21/2026

Hi Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary fans! We could sure use your help this Saturday, August 22, cleaning up the sanctuary from the recent crazy derecho storm. If you have a chain saw or a saws-all and can lend a hand cutting up debris from fallen branches and trees, please join us this Saturday, August 22, starting at 9am. We look forward to seeing you there!

08/15/2026

The Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary very much needs your help! On Saturday, August 22 starting at 9am, we are forming a “chain saw gang” and support team to attack all the storm damage we experienced in the August 11 storm that hit Chesterton. Please bring a chain saw if you have one.

See the pictures in this post to get an idea of the extent of the damage. We have trees with branches torn off, trees toppled and lying on the ground—some blocking the trails, and branches of various sizes scattered here and there. We also have lots of small branches that can be gathered into piles. Please come out if you can to support our beloved bird sanctuary!

07/19/2026

Here’s a photo by Paul Kemiel official national lakeshore photographer at the Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary under a Canadian wildfire sky!

07/17/2026

A belated but heartfelt thank you to the Young Women’s Group from the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints from Chicago Heights, IL for coming out to volunteer at the Sanctuary on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

06/03/2026

It's time to enhance your garden for 2026, and here to help is a friend of The Westchester Migratory Bird Sanctuary with a sale of locally grown plants. The Vale of Paradise Garden Club is holding a plant sale!
WHEN: Saturday, June 6 from 9am to 2pm.
LOCATION: 102 Washington Street (The Valparaiso Woman's Association Mansion) in Valparaiso, IN.

You'll find native plants, perennials, special dahlias, cannas, and magic lilies at great prices!

Address

1050 S 11th Street
Chesterton, IN
46304

Website

http://www.westchesterbird.org/

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