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Willow Springs January 28, Paddock February 1, 2017

1/30/2017

Willow Springs Woods January 28

Willow West never disappoints! We had a hard-working, large group of volunteers, and by 2 pm everything the Atrium Landscape sawyers cut (it was a lot!) was loaded and burning. We had help from Scouts from John Findley's troop, whom we hope to work with again in the near future. We had a past volunteer from Oak Lawn HS bring his younger brother and sister.

It was really a cool, fun day. Which they usually are, check it out.

Paddock Woods February 1, 2017

Back to the south edge of Paddock this week, working right along 119th Street. We're getting closer to the Montessori school now, close enough to clearly hear the kids at recess.

Special thanks to Brian Scheidt of Oak Forest, who worked with us several times in the past few weeks and now is on his way to Idaho to resume his regular gig; helping control non-native lake trout in our national forests and parks. We wish him well in this pursuit!

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Cranberry January 21, Swallow Cliff January 21, Paddock January 25, 2017

1/25/2017

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Cranberry Slough January 21

Saturday at Cranberry was ridiculous on a couple levels. First, it was close to 60 degrees before day's end, shirtsleeves on the 21st of January. Second, we built and burned nine or ten brush piles, quite an accomplishment for a crew of twenty-some. Every time you look in another direction, you see a new pile popping up. A fresh tank of propane will take you a long way.

The work site was in the middle of the preserve, across the creek from the locale we worked last January. That would be the creek Kathy went knee-deep in while crossing, making those warm temps especially welcome to her.

This is a beautiful area and it's a shame more people don't get to see it. That can be said about many of our work sites since few are located along a trail or road.

Swallow Cliff Woods January 21

This was John O'Lear's first workday of the season and he spent it cutting viburnum east of 104th Avenue, directly behind the slough dubbed "No-Name". Someone (contactors?) already cleared a large chunk of land nearby and John, with his small group, continued on the southern edge.

Paddock Woods January 25

This was the biggest of our Paddock Wednesdays to date, 12 volunteers strong with two on chainsaw. We finished clearing the big buckthorn area along 86th Avenue, under the approving eye of a neighbor who welcomes the ability to look farther into the preserve for wildlife viewing. Next week we expect to be working closer to 119th Street.

Foreground, background, 270 degrees around, was a mess of buckthorn three weeks ago. Much better now!

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McClaughrey January 14, Paddock January 18, 2017

1/19/2017

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McClaughrey Springs January 14

Another of our "big" Saturdays, thinning trees along and above a beautiful ravine in the upland part of McClaughrey. People outside our area may not know the stunning terrain we have here in Palos; I suspect many residents haven't seen it either.

Thinning trees and clearing brush in a woodland like this one, while done to enhance growing conditions for native flora, has the added benefit of improving sight lines across the preserve. Occasionally hikers will express their pleasure at passing through a managed area, where they see the nature around them rather than feeling hemmed in by a wall of brush.

Can't wait for a big snowfall to get the snowshoes out there. When the ground is frozen you can work along a ravine without doing harm, hence the winter workdays at these locations. With a deep snow cover you can also play.

Taking in the view

Paddock Woods January 18

We had an interesting interlude with a hanging limb - see pictures. Congrats to Dennis and John for getting it to the ground, safely, and eliminating a hazard to us or anyone else passing through. Creative problem-solving on their part.

We also cleared and burned a large mess of buckthorn, opening a nice-sized chunk of preserve right off 86th Avenue. Wednesdays at Paddock are going well - come out and take a look.

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Cap Sauers Moraines January 7, Paddock Woods January 11, 2017

1/11/2017

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Cap Sauers Moraines January 7

This was a truly cold morning - see the pic below of people huddled around the budding fire. Working with the assistance of sawyers from Kathy Bruch's Atrium Landscape (thank you, Kathy, your generosity in providing this crew is unsurpassed!), and the Friends of the Forest Preserves Palos crew, we thinned and burned extensively in an area not far from Ford Road.

As the day moved along and more fires were started, we tended not to notice the cold as much. Hauling and tossing will do that for you. We shall return to this area for follow-up work on Saturday February 4 - join us if you can.

Paddock Woods January 11, 2017

Paddock Woods has a curious mix of invasives. On its southern edge, near 119th Street, stands the largest concentration of winged euonymous (burning bush) that I've seen around here. Possible escapees from the residences to the south?

On the east side, along 86th Avenue, Bob found a thicket of buckthorn that also is not as common in Palos as in other places I've been. Of course we also have far too much honeysuckle and expect a blessing of garlic mustard come spring.

We were fortunate in having an energetic group attacking the buckies today. We didn't cut them all, hope to finish next week. Thanks to three new volunteers from Oak Forest, Jeff, Casey, and Brian, for their help!

Our Paddock Crew Wednesday January 11. Photo by Bob Schwaan

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Bringing in 2017

1/4/2017

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Pioneer Woods Saturday, December 31, 2016

This was really productive! Working right above a wetland near Old Country Lane, we cleared a big stretch which would have been even bigger if not for the bittersweet vines that tied everything together. Nasty, nasty bittersweet!

The before and after pictures below give an idea how much got done, with the cleared area extending both left and right beyond the frame of the pictures. A good feeling, looking out and knowing you kicked some...

Mike and Margaret in the midst of the brush watching Doug clear a spot for the fire.

Same view 3-1/2 hours later, same line of trees in background, all the woody invasives gone

Cap Sauers Holding Monday, January 2, 2017

We got lucky here. Able to burn despite a persistent drizzle, we continued our assault on honeysuckle high up the hill above Visitation Trail. The rain picked up as the fire burned down, and we got out in time to avoid a thorough soaking.

Paddock Woods, January 4, 2017

This was one of the colder mornings of the season, a long undies, extra layers, don't wander too far from the fire kind of day.

Thanks to Dennis Kankowske, from Ted Stone and Arie Crown, for leading this one in Doug Chien's absence. Thanks to newly minted herbicider John Plunkett for handling that task. Herbiciding is especially tough on cold mornings; too far from the fire to feel its heat, performing a task that doesn't engage enough muscle fiber to generate your own body heat.

Kathy and Bob keeping a safe distance at Cap Sauers.

Paddock Woods, looking north from point where multi-use trail passes parking lot.

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Willow Springs January 28, Paddock February 1, 2017

Cranberry January 21, Swallow Cliff January 21, Paddock January 25, 2017

McClaughrey January 14, Paddock January 18, 2017

Cap Sauers Moraines January 7, Paddock Woods January 11, 2017

Bringing in 2017

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