The greater the love, the greater the loss
Beautiful graphic art courtesy of Piping Plover monitor Brenda Janish.
(Tamima Itani’s address at Monty and Rose’s Memorial, May 13, 2022)
On behalf of the Chicago Piping Plovers community, I want to welcome you to this commemoration of our magical times with Monty, Rose and their little chicks. Monty sadly passed away on May 13; Rose has not returned and is feared gone as well. In the 4 seasons they nested first at Waukegan beach, then at Montrose beach, they left a legacy of unity, love, friendship and conservation that will long be remembered. Their son Imani, who hatched in these dunes in July 2021 is in our midst today, representing his treasured little family and reminding us how precious the Montrose Natural Areas are.
In a city from which hails a president and his first lady, Monty and Rose were often referred to as Chicago’s first couple. They bucked the impossible and nested on the busiest of beaches; they commanded prime lakefront real estate, shaped it and expanded it for generations of Piping Plovers and shorebirds to come. They existed with grace, strength, persistence and resilience. They opened human eyes to their charm and endearing personalities, the plight of their endangered species; the beauty of birds and the importance of conservation, especially in an urban setting.
With every wing beat, Monty and Rose and their progeny brought people together, weaving a network of collaboration and support that extended from the upper reaches of Michigan, throughout the Great Lakes, to the shores of Florida and the coast of Texas. They brought people together whose path may have never otherwise crossed and showed how a common purpose that is pure and focused can collapse barriers and make friendships bloom.
On behalf of Monty and Rose and their chicks, and on behalf of every Piping Plover that visits our shores, I want to thank the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois for so readily embracing them, the Chicago Park District, Cardno, the Montrose Dunes Steward and volunteers for the beautiful habitat created where they made a home; the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the USDA and APHIIS and the Chicago Police Department for stepping in to protect the habitat, plovers, nest and chicks; the Great Lakes Piping Plover Recovery team for their expert guidance; the naturalists on the wintering grounds who kept track of their whereabouts during the non-breeding season; the local media for covering their story and creating much interest; and the nearly 200 volunteers who stood watch over them for the 3 seasons they nested at Montrose – Monty and Rose could not have asked for a more dedicated, loving and doting set of volunteers, some who came from as far as Indiana to stand watch throughout the season.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to Monty and Rose for giving us so much of themselves and spreading wonder and joy. We will honor their lives by continuing to thrive to create and maintain habitat suitable and safe to nesting Piping Plovers and look forward to the future Piping Plovers visiting us or choosing to nest with us, here at Montrose or elsewhere in IL. Thank you Monty and Rose for the grace, love, resilience and persistence you gifted us each day you spent with us. We love you and miss you.