Palos Restoration Project - Blog

McMahon January 8, Hidden Pond January 9, 2022

1/13/2022

McMahon Woods and Fen Saturday January 8
This was our first tree-thinning day of the season, in the recently-cleared bittersweet tangle I've been writing about over the past few months. We had three honkin' big fires and an energetic group loading them. Huge thanks to Kathy Bruch of Atrium Landscape for her generous donation of the chainsaw crew that cut on this day, and will continue to do so over the next eight weeks or so. They make an enormous difference!

The follow-up brush-mowing project at McMahon has now begun; I saw Joe's car parked yesterday and dropped in for a look. Our detested wall of brush has been pushed way, way back now, something that should delight anyone who's joined one of our vine-wrestling matches since last October. It's quite the sight to see.

Hidden Pond Woods Sunday January 9
The previous night's freezing rain left a veneer of ice everywhere. It was our good fortune that local public works crews had most roads safely drivable by morning, and once we gingerly tiptoed onto the prairie we were in good shape.

We cleared a big patch of brush just above the west edge of the prairie, on a slope that offered shelter from the still-brisk wind. It was our good fortune (again) that the warmest part of the day was morning, with temperatures dropping steadily throughout the day. And our further good fortune that this super group of eight volunteers braved conditions and joined us on this morn, including first-time Palos volunteer Stephen.

Kathy and Joy got a fire going pretty quickly, given the sheen of ice on all the fuel, and it burned hot right up to quitting time. Good day, good times.

Spears Woods January 1, 2022

1/6/2022

Spears Woods Saturday January 1
Our first restoration day of the New Year came under threat of rough weather, with both rain and snow in the forecast. We arrived to a light mist that eventually faded, and close to noon snowflakes began to appear. It was no hindrance, didn't even cause us to break stride as we built two fires and cleared a patch of honeysuckle and multiflora rose not far from the parking lot.

As the snow fell we noticed how the heat from each of the fires created a snow-free zone that extended in a sizeable perimeter. I tried to capture this in a photo, below; it's hard to see because the snow was minimal at that point.

Grant Work in the Preserves
This week McClaughrey Springs steward Diana Krug informed me that grant work at her site had started. This is funded by a grant obtained by Friends of the Chicago River.

I took an icy walk on the Yellow Trail yesterday to check this out; they've begin cutting brush close to La Grange Road. Brush-mowing is also in the plan, this to be done closer to Mill Creek. I heard what might have been mechanized equipment but did not venture in due to brisk winds and the risk of falling limbs (trees, not mine).

McMahon December 24, Swallow Cliff December 26, 2021

12/29/2021

McMahon Woods & Fen Friday December 24
Our Christmas Eve special was really fun, if you call wrestling with vines bigger than your arms fun. Yes it was, and we made great headway clipping those vines.

We had about a dozen volunteers, including Palos first-timers Nataka, Nina, and Lise. Joy started two fires, and while one group of volunteers hauled brush and loaded the fire near where the power tools were working (we had a chainsaw and brush-cutter at that end), the rest of our crew cleared another big chunk of terrain working exclusively with loppers and bow-saws.

Swallow Cliff Woods Sunday December 26
I arrived at 8:45 Sunday morning to a solitary car in the South lot. Minutes later our volunteers began pulling in - we had 16 in all - and we were off for a brief walk to our work site.

This was another super day, with 16 volunteers working on a slope just above the section we cleared last month. We had to delay starting a fire until 10:00 due to low wind and still managed to burn everything we cut by noon. We basically finished this area, cutting and dragging brush from the bottom of the hill to the north and from both sides up above.

Thanks to first-time Palos volunteers Jeff and Landon, to Doug Chien and Michelle whom I hadn't seen in such a long time, to Bob E and Jim C who brought their chainsaws, and to the rest of our dedicated group.

Long Time Coming
I had the good fortune of being at Swallow Cliff Tuesday morning when the first snowflakes fell, and the doubly good fortune of being able to hang out a couple hours and take it all in. For this lifelong snow nerd it was a beautiful morning.

McMahon December 18, Black Partridge December 19, 2021

12/23/2021

McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday December 18
We had two fires, two chainsaws, one brush-cutter, and loads of bittersweet vine tangling everything into inseparable clumps. While it remains a tough slog, we are definitely making progress in there, and will notch another increment on Christmas Eve when we return, again.

Black Partridge Woods Sunday December 19
Way back in March we cut stacks and stacks of honeysuckle on a day too dry for brush pile burning. Sunday was our return engagement, and we not only managed to burn all that was previously cut, we also cut and burned more, all with a relatively small but very dedicated group of volunteers.Thank you to first-time Palos volunteers Nancy and Silas for joining us!

By the time our fire burned down we were at sunset, and the heat from the pile of embers was needed to stay warm. A nice way to wrap the year's efforts at Black Partridge.

McMahon December 11, Hidden Pond December 12, 2021

12/16/2021

McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday December 11
We awoke Saturday morning to forecasts of high winds and legitimate concern about burning on such a day. It turned out quite well; the "wall of brush" we've been tangling with (literally) made a great wind screen and we did fine, with no concerns about the brushpile fire getting out of hand.

With two brush-cutters and two chainsaws going we got another big chunk cleared out, and will return this Saturday for our last foray of 2021 into this terrible mess. Oh yeah!

Invasion of the Nature Snatchers, Saturday December 11
This stewardship festival was hosted by Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) and Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC). They had a wide range of information on stewardship and invasive plants, food, a buckthorn table that was raffled off, and hikes led by FPCC ecologist Kristin Pink.

I love listening to Kristin speak about local nature because she has such a passion for it. I also learn something new and interesting each time. A big shout-out to all the volunteers, from FPCC, U of I Extension, FOTFP, Morton Arboretum, and others, who stood on an exposed hilltop for three hours, in a brisk cold wind, putting on this event.

Hidden Pond Woods Sunday December 12
Sunday was another terrific day at Hidden Pond, with a terrific group of volunteers. Twelve strong, they included Palos first-timers Justin and Mike (boyfriend and brother, respectively, of Mary from Oak Lawn) and almost first-timer Luke, brought by his father, Tom.

In early 2020 we began clearing a large patch of honeysuckle along Kean Avenue, work that stretched out due to two Covid interruptions and multiple weather problems. Sunday we finally eliminated that patch, from Woodland Drive moving north toward Christina. Now, steward Mary Busch is hoping for a prescribed burn through the cleared area to jump-start what native seed bed remains.

Cap Sauers December 4, McClaughrey Springs December 5, 2021

12/9/2021

Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday December 4
I wasn't able to attend, learned that Margaret continued to cut brush in an area where' she's worked the past couple months. We had several students helping, first-time Palos volunteers whose names I was unable to obtain. Thanks, students! We appreciate you! There's a couple pictures below, taken by Doug Bosco.

McClaughrey Springs Woods Sunday December 5
Sunday was another day with a nasty forecast, rain likely in the morn and getting worse as the day regressed. No rain when I left the house; five minutes later, upon arrival at the site, it had already begun. dang!

We sat in our cars a few minutes then decided to give it a shot. Diana picked a spot close to shelter, and we began gathering dry sticks to start a fire. Joy got it burning in next to no time, and the rain chose to subside throughout out three-hour stint, only picking up in intensity at quitting time.

It was quite the pleasant surprise and left us feeling we just got away with something. Thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Brent, and to Joe C, Diana, and Joy for a most productive morning under shaky conditions.

Visitation Prairie via the Esker Trail
I wanted to check the prescribed burn at Visitation Prairie in Cap Sauers, so one afternoon I walked the esker trail just before sunset. It was beautiful, winding sinuously through the preserve until reaching my destination.

They got a good burn and the growth that was head-high and a struggle to pass through a couple months back was now reduced to ash and a stubble. THAT will jumpstart next spring's growing season in a good way.

The only time the esker trail is prettier than fall, with its reds and browns, is under a winter snow, when the contours of the glacial terrain are immediately and starkly visible. Like MacArthur, I shall return.

McMahon November 27, Swallow Cliff November 28, 2021

12/2/2021

McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday November 27
Back to the infamous wall at McMahon, which IS getting pushed back, slowly but surely, with the application of much sweat equity. We had another good group and despite a late start due to a truck dumping some sort of sludge on LaGrange Road and snarling traffic.

Later this season there's some brush-mowing planned for this segment, and I believe a touch of tree thinning as well. It ought to look much better once all that work gets done. Thanks to everyone who has participated in these slogs. :-) X

Swallow Cliff Woods South Sunday November 28
We had a small, hardy group on a crisp Sunday morning; surprisingly, when I arrived at 8:30 am the parking lot at the South Woods only had two or three cars in it. That is rare for Swallow Cliff on a dry day, whatever the season. Newly certified brush pile burn boss Joy managed the fire, and we also had first-time visitor Sydney, from Friends of the Forest Preserves, among our numbers.

We continued to cut and burn honeysuckle on the slope just past the first trail junction, and with any luck should knock out most of the remaining invasives with one more session. We've gotten a lot done there thanks to the matchless energy of our volunteers!

Cap Sauers November 20, Black Partridge November 21, 2021

11/24/2021

Cap Sauers Saturday November 20
We start with a huge thank-you to Sierra Club, their ICO (Inspiring Connections Outdoors) program, and the large group of students from Pirtzker Colelce Prep that came to help at Cap last Saturday. They were a terrific help, getting a large area of brush cut and hauled to the fires.

Black Partridge Sunday November 21
Sunday we came back to the east edge of Black Partridge, overlooking Goose Lake and the Des Plaines. We're clearing brush to expand the nesting area of some local critters, removing a thicket of honeysuckle and buckthorn that have grown to substantial (that means chainsaw needed) size.

Thanks to first-time Palos volunteers Alec and Luke for their energy, and to Joe C. who always brings it! Next month we'll likely move back toward the parking lot, working in the vicinity of the old dairy farm.

Lunar Eclipse Viewing at Little Red Schoolhouse (LRS)
Since the Palos Preserves/Mt. Forest Island was designated an Urban Night Sky Place, LRS has hosted regular night events, including a monthly full moon walk. This was another such event, well-attended (10-12 people) especially given the time (3:00 - 5:00 am).

I love being outdoors at night and these events provide a venue free of auto traffic and other artificial lighting. It's amazing how much you see once your eyes adjust to the darkness. As earth's shadow moved off the moon, it seemed more like dusk than the middle of night. All from light originating 90 million miles away, reflected off a disc almost a quarter-million miles away.

McMahon November 13, Hidden Pond November 14, 2021

11/17/2021

McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday November 13
This was the fourth assault on our stubborn wall of brush, one so tenacious it might resist even a napalm strike. We had another good group, including first-time Palos volunteers Teresa and Daniel.Two chainsaws and one gas brushcutter, another big, hot fire! By day's end we'd made further inroads in this tough little piece of habitat.

Nature Walk - Sagawau Saturday November 13
Naturalist Lorrie Ward led a most interesting tour at Sagawau, starting at the old farmhouse and finishing at the new Visitor's Center. Sleet that was falling right before our 10:00 am start diminished and our hardy group of eight, from Palos Park Library, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Lorrie dished up tidbits about the history and geology of the site as well as the plants and animals that make it their home. We're already planning a return next spring and looking forward to it.

Hidden Pond Woods Sunday November 14
Going into Sunday morning, we had a week of weather forecasts telling us how miserable conditions would be. Mary and I had low confidence we'd be getting anything done, and were pleasantly surprised when the rain and sleet held off almost 'til noon. Better still, we had eight volunteers and knocked down a large patch of honeysuckle by quitting time.

Due to high winds we did not burn. Instead stacking the cut brush in numerous feeder piles, awaiting our return on Sunday December 12. Burn party, anyone?

Spears Woods November 6, McClaughrey Springs November 7, 2021

11/10/2021

Spears Woods Saturday November 6
Wasn't able to make this one due to another commitment, but I'm told it was a productive day, with a couple chainsaws going in an area filled with numerous, pesky honeysuckles. Thanks to all who attended.

Thanks also to Teri Radke and Emily Russell from FPCC Volunteer Resources for coming out to speak with passers-by and raise awareness of our efforts and the importance of keeping local preserves healthy.

McClaughrey Springs Sunday November 7
We went back-to-back at McClaughrey Springs this weekend. Sunday was a regular volunteer session, with about ten volunteers hacking away at honeysuckle and buckthorn. Neal on the chainsaw, Diana with the brushcutter, the rest of the gang with hand tools, we cut and burned in what quickly morphed from a thicket to a nice, open area. The colors in the woodland were stunning, especially the maples with brilliant gold tones in the morning sun.

After doing a second observation, Joy will soon be a Certified Brushpile Burn Boss!!!

On Monday we had a small corporate group from Beam-Suntory, a company that does regular service days and always makes a great impact. They partner with Friends of the Chicago River on these efforts, part of their program to promote watershed sustainability. We started by burning a mess of brush from the preceding day, then took down and disposed of numerous additional buckthorns as the morning rolled on.