Palos Restoration Project - Blog

Willow Springs August 4, Cap Sauers August 5, 2018

8/7/2018

Saturday August 4, Willow Springs Woods
"Off with 'is 'ead!" That's the battle cry when you're after invasive thistles, cutting the flower-head to prevent seed from developing. Our group started near Country Lane Woods, working north toward Katydid Slough. Parts of this area are wetland, though not so much after a July of minimal rain.

Thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Violet for joining us on the hunt!.

Sunday August 5, Cap Sauers Holding
Bob's original plan was to cut brush; another hot afternoon led him to switch to seed collecting. We gathered a goodly amount of bottlebrush grass seed, which will be distributed later in the season.

Caterpillar Days
Ms Julie has a couple milkweeds at home, which, of course, means monarch eggs and caterpillars. Thus far we've only fostered them while finding adoptive parents; in the short time we've had them it's been illuminating to watch their behavior.

While picking dill, in my backyard, I felt one swallowtail caterpillar drop onto my leg. Julie found his buddy on another branch. These two are also guests at the moment.

Spears Woods July 28, 2018

8/2/2018

Saturday July 28, Spears Woods
Can't really say what the main body of volunteers did as Jim and I got separated early on and spent about two hours wandering Spears south of the picnic grove. It seems we covered the same ground as the others, just at a different time.

It was a good walk; highlights included some way-cool fungi (see below) and a larger patch of native jewelweed than any I've encountered.

Our main target was Japanese hedge parsley, a relatively new invasive (our stewards have been talking about it maybe for a couple years) which is popping up all around the area. While Jim and I didn't encounter much, the main group brought back several bags for disposal.

It's prime time for prairie blazing star - the purple spikes are blooming for your enjoyment in most prairie settings now. Sundown Meadow has an embarrassingly large profusion of the blooms, also seen below.

July 25th, 2018

7/25/2018

Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday July 21
Steward Margaret Tobin called this one due to rain; with seven people still showing up at the site we decided a short walk was in order. It was a good one despite numerous mosquitoes. We visited several places where we've worked in the past, including one which Margaret insists 'wants to be prairie' - after clearing, prairie plants previously unseen started popping up.

Margaret, steward Bob Arentz, and FPCC ecologist Kristin Pink will co-host an ecology walk on Saturday, August 11 at 9 am. We will meet at the watchman's house on Ford Road - see our weekly email of August 9 for details.

Swallow Cliff Woods South Sunday July 22
We started with the intent of collecting seed, did a bit of that but spent more time pulling white sweet clover as we toured a portion of the preserve. Summer days are great for learning because we tend to move around and see a lot of plants in a couple hours. Good times in the woods!

Purple Alert!
For fellow lovers of the color purple, both prairie blazing star and ironweed (pictured below) are beginning to bloom. Makes the prairie a prettier place!

Mcmahon July 14, Black Partridge July 15, 2018

7/19/2018

McMahon Woods & Fen July 14
More sweet clover on the prairie at McMahon! Thanks to first-time volunteer Miguel for coming on a tough day, and to Emma who came on a Saturday after spending her week at Ted Stone with the FOTFP crew she joined July 1.

Black Partridge Woods July 15
We had first-time volunteers Ben and Emily (with Emily showing up two days later at Sundown Meadow). Thanks to them, to Rob Abrham of the Palos FOTFP crew for bringing Ben and also taking on herbiciding duty for the day. Others who helped included Ginger, Drew, Steve, and Brian.

Palos Hills Friendship Fest
Maureen Neidle, Doug Chien and I sat at a table Saturday afternoon, trying to spread the word about our activities in the preserves. Margaret Tobin and Carolyn Faber did the same on Sunday. Thanks to all for participating!

McMahon July 7, Hidden Pond July 8, Willow Springs July 9, 2018

7/12/2018

McMahon Woods and Fen, Saturday July 7
Much better than a week ago, with bright sun yet moderate temps and far less humidity. No problems with volunteers falling out in the heat.

We welcomed one first-time volunteer, Drew, who, along with Brian, Kathy, and Jean would repeat at Hidden Pond the following day. We pulled bunches upon bunches of white sweet clover from the prairie - it seems to reproduce as quickly as you pull it. Sinister, resilient stuff for sure.

Hidden Pond Sunday July 8
Here we had several first-timers; Adam, Alexander, Roger and Roy. It's always a thrill to see new faces. We also greeted a familiar nemesis - more white sweet clover awaited us on the prairie. We also tackled reed canary and a few thistles as we moved about.

On the positive side, numerous Michigan lilies were in bloom and prairie blazing star was just beginning to show its color. Lots of other treats to see with a great crew on another lovely day!

Willow Springs Woods Monday July 9
Students from Canada and Michigan, doing a week of service with Palos Heights Christian Reformed Church, came to Willow to remove brush, mostly honeysuckle. Their commitment to service shows in the way they work. It's a pleasure to host them.

McMahon Woods & Fen June 30, 2018

7/5/2018

Saturday June 30, McMahon Woods & Fen
This was a hot, humid day, and the volunteers who ventured out were true warriors (I only stayed an hour, can't lay claim to that title). They tackled white sweet clover, which is a persistent problem at the site.

Summer rain is spurring remarkable growth on the prairie; still June and some of the plants are already over my head. Rains yesterday and today ought to keep that growth machine humming. We'll be back at McMahon on Saturday, then out on the Hidden Pond prairie Sunday, to have a look. The colors are beautiful.

Willow Springs June 23, Swallow Cliff June 24 2018

6/28/2018

Saturday June 23, Willow Springs Woods
Steward Joe Neumann is planning a lot of work at Willow Springs Woods in coming months, trying to work his way east toward Old Country Lane and connect to Spears Woods. On this day we were closer to the parking lot, mostly clipping reed canary seed heads in a section that was brush-cut last winter. Continued rain meant more fungi - thanks to Brian for spotting a nice patch, and thanks to Jimmy who's been showing up at numerous sites. We appreciate the help!

Sunday June 24, Swallow Cliff Woods South
First off, thanks to volunteer Jesse Solis, who doubled our crew size by bringing his son Jesse, friend Al, and Al's sons Joseph and Nicholas to help. We walked the path to the north lot, pulling weeds and clipping seed heads along the way, and were rewarded (?) with a patch of Canada thistle pleading to be clipped.

Added bonus; we got to climb the stairs, in our long pants and long sleeves, on a sunny summer morn. Jesse and his group were going back to the stairs for a workout when they left us - a big tip of the hat to them!

Requiem for an elm
Our neighbors directly across the street had a big beautiful American elm on their front lawn. Until 6 am yesterday, when the trunk split down the middle and half the tree crashed to the ground. It was the only surviving elm on our block (we lost two about 20 years ago, already diseased when we bought our lot).

Jim and Michelle had this tree injected, kept it trimmed, did everything they could to nurture it. They've fought the good fight for more than 30 years. Sadly, it wasn't enough. The remaining half of the tree is being removed later today. Gonna miss that tree, because it's a beauty, also because it throws a whole lot of shade on our home in the afternoon.

Sure, it's just a tree. And triple-chocolate fudge is just another ice cream flavor.

Cap Sauers June 16, Swallow Cliff & Black Partridge June 17, 2018

6/20/2018

Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday June 16
On a hot day we stayed in the shade and our intensity level was dialed way down. We made reed canary grass our prime target and clipped the seed heads of those we found. The infrequent garlic mustard also showed up.

We were graced with five first-time volunteers on this morning: thank you Cailey, Karen, Reagan, Andrew, and Arun for joining us.

Swallow Cliff Woods South, Sunday June 17
The early summer heat wave continued on Sunday, and we did pretty much the same thing as Saturday, walking the woodland looking for reed canary and garlic mustard. Jean Dubach has a great eye for the short plants hiding down low. Thanks to Sarah and Steve for being part of this.

Black Partridge Woods, Sunday June 18
Cubs fans of a certain age remember Ernie Banks saying "Let's play two today." That's what we did with our afternoon session at Black Partridge, and Sarah took Ernie's words to heart, coming after working Swallow Cliff in the morning.

We removed a decent number of reed canary seed heads, some ready to drop their seed. Recent rains meant ample fungus; pictured below.

Cranberry Slough June 9, 2018

6/13/2018

Rainy Days
Last weekend was a weed-control day at Cranberry - I didn't get out due to another commitment. My roving correspondents were Singapore-bound for summitry so I don't have a workday report.

Historical trivia from the Forest Preserves of Cook County instead

The early 1960s were a good time to be a Cook County/Forest Preserves Commissioner, especially if you wanted your name an a sign somewhere.

President of the Board: Daniel Ryan (Jr). After his death, the Dan Ryan Expressway was named after him. Dan Ryan Woods was named after his father, also President of the board 30-some years earlier. In fact, after Dan Ryan Sr passed, Dan Ryan Jr was appointed to his seat on the County Board. Hey, that's 20th Century Cook County.

General Superintendent: Charles G. (Cap) Sauers: This guy was the real deal. General Superintendent from 1929-1964, he was at the helm when a lot of forest preserve property was acquired. Cap Sauers Holding carries his name. For more on this very interesting man click the link: www.lib.niu.edu/1970/ip7009142.html

Other commissioners of that time included Elizabeth A. Conkey, John J. Duffy, and Edward M. Sneed. All of these names are found on signs in our region. I say this not to make light, rather to note their role in passing this legacy on to us.

The foresight of those who founded the Forest Preserves of Cook County, back when the Palos area was considered a remote outpost from the city, and their desire to protect and preserve the land from further development, is staggering. Here's another little slice of history fpdcc.com/about/history/

Another note of trivia: back when Dan Ryan Jr was president of the board, 18 holes of golf at one of their courses cost $1.50. The sole 9-hole course would set you back a buck.

Comment of the picture below: at the Swallow Cliff stairs. climbers use small rocks to count the number of trips up and down. Someone used rocks on a picnic bench to provide encouragement to fellow workout fiends.
Good advice in any worthwhile endeavor...

June 06th, 2018

6/6/2018

Hidden Pond Sunday June 3: Roger Keller Memorial Bench Dedication
This was a great day. We gathered at Hidden Pond with members of the Keller family, including wife Cara, sons Greg and Mark, daughter Karen, and four grandchildren (Matthew, Jacob, Cassidy, and Caraline).

Others present included stewards and volunteers from Palos Restoration Project, former 3rd Ward Alderman Tom McAvoy of Hickory Hills and other neighbors, and Kathy Wurster, Mary Busch, Mike Hart and Chip O'Leary from FPCC.

Roger loved jazz so it was appropriate that celebrants marched through Hidden Pond Woods behind the Four Star Brass Band of Chicago as they played “When the Saints Go Marching In”.

After reaching the bench site, we listened as Cara recited an original poem about Roger's years in restoration. Then we shared personal thoughts and memories. We heard some of the adventures of the Keller children at Hidden Pond in their childhood, before Roger's retirement and stewardship there.

Diana Krug said she had no car when she started volunteering so Roger drove her to workdays. A neighbor once asked Roger if a plant in his yard was flower or weed and was, in turn, asked "What do you want it to be?" Alderman McAvoy viewed Roger as a 'character' and 'cross between Grizzly Adams and Hemingway'. High praise indeed.

Several of our stewards and volunteers spoke of the ways Roger had helped them in their own restoration careers. Others spoke of his impact on young people coming into the field.

When all had spoken we left the prairie, again to the strains of Dixieland jazz, finishing in the grove with a picnic lunch provided by FPCC.

The inscription on Roger’s bench, composed by Steward Joe Neumann, reads “Children learned, volunteers labored, the prairie lives on. With hope for the future and gratitude to Steward Roger Keller.” A fitting salute.