The Skokie Lagoons were previously a marsh known as Chewbab Skokie or Skokie Marsh. The marsh was partially drained by local farmers, leaving a peatbog. During spring floods, it became a lake that flooded adjacent property and roads. The lagoons provide habitat for many diverse organisms and are used for recreation activities like biking, fishing, birdwatching, kayaking, and canoeing. Classes of organisms found at the lagoons include protists, fungi, plants, invertebrates, birds, mammals, fish, and reptiles such as turtles.