Palos Restoration Project - Blog

Spears Woods November 14, 2020

11/19/2020

Spears Woods Saturday November 14
With Forest Preserves of Cook County temporarily suspending volunteer activities, this shaped up to be our last restoration day for at least a month. Might as well make it a productive one.

We had two chainsaws and one brushcutter, and an eager group of volunteers wielding hand tools and dragging brush. We had just one brush pile, a big one reminiscent of our winter fires. Thanks to Ginger for participating in the "Bring a Friend" program, and for first-time Palos volunteer Mike who came with her. I should note that Mike has some skill with small gas engine devices, which helped with a balky brushcutter.

Sunday at Black Partridge canceled due to high winds.
Though the 20 ft. wind speed was barely within limits, Sunday was no day to be in a woodland. I walked for an hour later in the afternoon and saw numerous examples of the force of that wind (below). Steward John Marlin made a good call by canceling - live to play another day.

Suspension of volunteer group activities
Due to the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Forest Preserves of Cook County is temporarily suspending all group volunteer activities, from November 16 - December 15. We will see, at that time, if the suspension will be lifted or extended.

We'll be back, rested and ready to roll, when we get the green light again.

Willow Springs November 7, Hidden Pond November 8, 2020

11/12/2020

Saturday November 7, Willow Springs Woods - Katydid
Joe found a big patch of brush south of the prairie at Katydid, and we cleared it with chainsaw, brushcutter, and hand tools. We had great help from first-time Palos volunteer Nicole, and from Gian Luca and Leo, whom I hadn't seen for quite a spell.

Later, looking across the prairie to the north, Kathy spotted a line of vibrant red shrubbery that she tentatively identified as barberry. Joe confirmed. More brushcutter mayhem with Doug at the helm? We'll see.

Sunday November 8, Hidden Pond Woods
We continued to remove a line of brush along Kean, near Woodland Drive and the storm ditches. It doesn't extend too far from the road but is a massive tangle in places. Some chainsaw-worthy targets are present, so it was fortuitous when Bob Erck showed up, saw in hand. Others might be better handled with a brushcutter, which may be next month's plan.

We were joined by another first-time Palos volunteer, Seasons, who lives just a couple blocks away, and by Mary and Michael, both veterans of our March work nearby. Did a real nice piece of work, already looking forward to December at Hidden Pond.

My apologies for the late post, I had it ready to go around 4:00 p.m. today and Weebly deleted it when I hit 'Save'. So I was ticked off and went for a walk, grabbed a couple nice twilight pics included below.

Spears Woods October 31, McClaughrey Springs & Cap Sauers Holding November 1, 2020

11/5/2020

Spears Woods Saturday October 31
Halloween morning at Spears we worked on a patch of honeysuckle near the Boomerang Slough trail junction. More than honeysuckle, with common and glossy buckthorn, bittersweet, barberry, and among other invaders seen and cut.

Our crazy warm spell was just getting started and we had a good group helping with the day's task. Joe and Margaret hung out well into the afternoon and were able to fellowship with local trail users while waiting for the embers to die down.

McClaughrey Springs Sunday November 1
We had a really good turnout for this one, though I wasn't able to get there so I don't know too much detail. I do know there were two brush piles burned. Thanks to all who came, including first-time Palos volunteers Julie and May.

Cap Sauers Holding Sunday November 1
We hand another good group of volunteers Sunday afternoon, including two first-time Palos volunteers, Polly from the Master Naturalist program and Jason, an avid hiker and student of nature at Cap and other local preserves. I believe Amy, another Master Naturalist, Cyndi and Kathy all did both Sunday sessions.

The wind was brisk and the ground a bit dry so Bob chose to stack the day's cut brush for burning next month. As is the case with no burn, we cut a ridiculous amount of brush in time there. One month of drying and it ought to fire up without much trouble. A great way to cap off a busy, successful weekend. Our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated.

McMahon October 24, Swallow Cliff October 25, 2020

10/29/2020

McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday October 24
We returned to the prairie at McMahon for the fourth time this season, still dealing with pop-up patches of honeysuckle scattered here and there. Saturday was another gorgeous day, a great time to be on the prairie unless you're a honeysuckle.

We had two first-time Palos volunteers Saturday, Amy from the Illinois Master Naturalist program and Otoniel from Dominican U. Great to have them and both did a terrific job. With Jim and Kevin swinging chainsaws and Doug on the brush-cutter we had plenty of firepower, and lots of dragging to get their victims to the fire. We also cut numerous strays with hand tools. It was a good, productive day.

Swallow Cliff Woods South Sunday October 25
We gladly welcomed two more first-time Palos volunteers on Sunday, John and Christy. John's logged time at other locations, while this was Christy's first time out. Otoniel was back to help on consecutive days, with the team rounded out by Joe, Jim, Kathy, and steward Jackie.

For so small a group we got an impressive area cleared in our three hour shift. Maybe it was the invigorating air of an autumn morning, or we're discovering new superpowers. We're breaking through to an area cleared in previous sessions to provide a clear path for future prescribed burns. We also uncovered a small ravine, running downhill from the trail, which I was not aware of previously. Clearing thickets of brush gives you a much better sense of the terrain.

Weather Wipeout, October 17 & 18, 2020

10/19/2020

No habitat restoration this weekend, with high winds and low humidity combining on Saturday to create a Red Flag Warning. We cannot burn under such conditions, and Margaret decided to cancel because doing other work, like seed collecting, might still place volunteers at risk in a windy woodland.

Sunday at Black Partridge it was rain, a particularly cold rain that began as a mere mist in the morning and fell throughout much of the afternoon. John made the right call; it was quite the nasty afternoon.

This weekend we're hoping for better luck. I got to a couple of my weekday sites, so the pictures below are mostly from Zoo Woods and Sundown Meadow.

McMahon October 10; Hidden Pond & Cap Sauers Holding October 11, 2020

10/15/2020

McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday October 10
This was our third time on the prairie at McMahon in recent weeks, going after honeysuckle in multiple locations. Though I missed this one, I know the drill well by now. Brush-cutter and chainsaw going after the thickest concentrations, volunteers with hand tools hitting the strays and dragging and burning all of it. They're active days, and you get to engage a variety of muscles.

Kevin was back on the chainsaw for us Saturday, definitely good news, and Doug was his indomitable self with the brush-cutter. Joe plans one more day, possibly October 24, to finish the job before the grasses and forbs dry out more and become a fire concern.

Hidden Pond Woods Sunday October 11
We cut buckthorn and honeysuckle along Kean Avenue, steps from the sidewalk, near an area we cleared just before the covid hit the fan. Thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Paul for his energetic help cutting brush and feeding the fire. We'll likely work our way north from this point next month on November 8.

Another beautiful warm day, we've become spoiled to these lately.

Cap Sauers Holding Sunday October 11
Sunday afternoon was a change of pace, collecting seed at Cap with steward Bob Arentz. We were joined by another Palos rookie, Mike, and grateful for his help. Like Paul from the morning at Hidden Pond, Mike has volunteered at other sites around the county before coming to Palos. We hope both gentlemen grace us with another visit.

The preserves were bursting with color; with some trees still holding their leaves we're hoping for more of the same this weekend and next.

Click on any photo in the gallery below to enlarge it.

Maples at Cantigny, October 14

Close-up of same...

Cut log shaped by chainsaw, creative! Also at Cantigny, on our anniversary

I didn't see the bee in this pic, though they were swarming over these asters

Hidden Pond looking south along Kean Ave. from Woodland Drive

Looking NW to the prairie at Hidden Pond

Fungus heroically decomposing tree stump

More fungi at Cap Sauers

Cap Sauers, by wetland along Visitation Trail

Sag Quarries, October 13

Another picture at Sag Quarries

McClaughrey Springs near Mill Creek

McMahon Woods October 3, McClaughrey Springs October 4, 2020

10/8/2020

McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday October 3
Back to the McMahon Prairie for another shot at the clusters of honeysuckle that have popped up in several places, testament to the tenacity of this nuisance plant. Just like last time here, we had Jim with his chainsaw and Doug with the brush cutter slicing their way through the worst of the thicket, while the balance of the volunteers hand-cut and burned the evidence.

We were graced by the presence of two first-time Palos volunteers, Jimmy and Nikhil. A big Palos thank-you to these two gentlemen, and the rest of our team, for their efforts this morning. Great job all around!

McClaughrey Springs Woods Sunday October 4
Diana hosted a small group, removing honeysuckle, multi-flora, and other invasive plants near Mill Creek. They also burned a compost pile from spring garlic mustard removal.

Volunteers Mary and Joe helped with the fire and their effort was much appreciated. My camera crew must be in the darkroom as I'm still awaiting their photos.

In the photo gallery below, click on any photo to enlarge it, then use the arrows to scroll through all.

Brown-eyed Susan hanging on

More colors and sights of early autumn

Another honeysuckle island in the middle of the prairie

An hour later, much of it gone

Praying mantis took a liking to me, crawled on my pants leg before stepping down

Mary & Joe tending fire at McClaughrey Springs: photo by Kathy Bruch

Mill Creek at McClaughrey: photo by Kathy Bruch

This week's cloud photo

Cap Sauers September 26, Swallow Cliff September 27, 2020

10/1/2020

Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday September 26
We were a small, effective group at Cap Sauers Saturday, clearing brush in a pretty spot not far from Ford Road. Doug with the brushcutter, John with a chainsaw, the rest of us hand-cutting, dragging, and burning getting a respectable area cleared. This was despite the abundance of bittersweet vine tangling everything in our path.

With the two dry spells we've had this year, extra caution is needed with brush pile burns. The ground is dry and a lot of vegetation has already died back. Errant embers in these conditions can get you on the news for the wrong reason, so we take care to manage our brush piles accordingly.

Swallow Cliff Woods South Sunday September 27
We had a great group on a crazy-busy morning at Swallow Cliff South; at 9:00 all the parking spaces were filled. By 10:00 cars were parked up and down the sides of the driveway, on the grass, all over the place. Just the same, our stalwart volunteers found us and pitched in for a busy and productive morning clearing brush.

Oak Lawn Community H.S. was well-represented, with three grads (Piotr, Rafal, and Mary) and one senior, Patty. A huge thank-you to them, and to Mai and Myra, always welcome here in Palos. They all helped push through a wall of brush and connect to another area cleared many months ago. More progress like this will allow crews to push prescribed fire through.

McMahon September 19, Black Partridge September 20, 2020

9/24/2020

McMahon Woods Saturday September 19
Doug was back in his element, taking the brush-cutter to a big honeysuckle thicket out in the middle of the prairie. Jim C. was nearby, chainsaw in hand, taking down another thicket. By quitting time all that honeysuckle was gone, reduced to ash. It felt good to work a fire again, though somewhat warm. That's okay, reminds you to keep a safe distance.

Black Partridge Woods Sunday September 20
Sunday was another stunning late-summer day, the kind that draws you outdoors. We worked on the south side of Bluff Road, removing teasel flowers and collecting a small amount of seed. Then John took us on a walk, first along the creek, then through the upland. A big thank you to Oak Lawn siblings PIotr, Rafal, and Patty for joining us on this day.

Happy Birthday, We Turn 30 This Month
Set down by the campfire, boy. Let me tell ya a story 'bout somethin' that come about a long long time ago. A buncha folks from these parts wuz gittin' worried 'bout the land, an' how it weren't lookin' real healthy, an' it weren't good for the local critters that live out 'chere.

So they formed them this group, an' they called it a restoration project, named after Palos just 'cause that's where they wuz, and it's still goin' on to this very day. A coupla them guys, they's called Joe and John, they's still part of it, an' they ain't even that old now.

An' if ya sees 'em out there, go on over an' pick up one o' them bowsaws or lopper thangs and give 'em a helpin' hand. "Cuz that's the way they do things 'round here and they sure 'nuff gonna 'preciate that.

Hidden Pond Woods September 13, 2020

9/17/2020

Sunday September 13, Hidden Pond Woods
Despite the soaking rain Saturday, we managed to keep dry while collecting seed on the Hidden Pond Prairie. We had great help from two mom/daughter teams, first time Palos volunteers Juana and Dorothy and returning heroes Meghan and Hollyn, and garnered a variety of native species, which will go largely in the areas near Kean Ave recently cleared of brush.

Many monarchs were active in the prairie, showing a special fondness for the nectar of the native field thistle. It was a truly lovely morning and a great time to be outdoors.

Return to the Burn
Last Saturday Joe planned to cut and burn brush; the rain said otherwise. We'll try again this Saturday, September 19 at McMahon, and again Sunday afternoon at Black Partridge.

Yesterday I went to Zoo Woods to help John Plunkett and a group of volunteers cut buckthorn. Coincidentally, last time we burned, March 18, was also at Zoo Woods. That Friday the coronavirus shutdown was announced and our eager fire-starters took a long break. Now we're coming back.