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Paddock Woods January 20, Swallow Cliff & Black Partridge January 21, 2018

1/24/2018

Paddock Woods Saturday January 20
Large group of energetic, robust volunteers for this one! We spanned both sides of the trail in the southeast corner of Paddock, thinning trees and burning a total of six fires during the day.

Good bunch of fire-starters too - a malfunction in the propane tank was no obstacle to this group. The area looks good and will look even better come spring and the emergence of all things green.

Swallow Cliff Sunday January 21
Speaking of fire-starting, 95% humidity and a barely-legal 5 mph wind didn't keep Jackie from quickly getting a fire going. In December volunteers opened a corridor going down the slope - this time they made a large clearing tackling numerous patches of multi-flora rose along with honeysuckle and barberry.

Black Partridge Sunday January 21
John brush-cut a large area while Pat did his usual bowsaw assault on brush and Kathy herbicided behind them. We're nearing the time when the brushy outbreak at this end of Partridge will be no more.

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Willow West January 13, Hidden Pond January 14, 2018

1/18/2018

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Willow Springs Woods Saturday January 13
Another party at Willow West, with big fires to take the edge off the morning chill. It's remarkable how quickly you get warm once you start moving; it's only when you stop for a break, or on the slow walk out, away from the fires, that you are reminded of the cold.

We stayed mostly on high ground, above a couple crisscrossing ravines, in that netherland that feels like the middle of nowhere 'til you see a flash of reflected light from a car passing on the not-so-distant road. Beautiful place, fantastic people doing great things!

Hidden Pond Woods Sunday January 14
We removed honeysuckle and multiflora rose from the SW edge of the prairie. Forest Preserves of Cook County has installed a bench at this spot honoring the contributions of long-time Hidden Pond steward, and Palos regional steward, Roger Keller. Come spring we will partner with FPCC for a dedication of the bench.

Thanks to (almost) first-time volunteers Josh and Emma, to Jim from Thatcher Woods, to Jean and Mary, Kathy, Chris and Michelle for a good and enjoyable morning.

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Cap Sauers January 6, McClaughrey Springs January 7, 2018

1/11/2018

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Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday January 6
Much thanks to Carolyn Faber for getting things started, also for working with new volunteers Alia, Morgan, Anthony, and Alex from Benet Academy in Lisle, and Bobby from the U.S. Navy. They were a great group, started and managed one of our five fires.

We had chain sawyers from Atrium Landscape, whose services are donated for the next nine weeks by volunteer Kathy Bruch, helping thin trees, and the Palos Friends of the Forest Preserves crew bringing their usual strength and youth to the task. We also had our usual core group working hard and gettin' it done. Steward Margaret Tobin managed a mid-morning visit - I suspect by next week she'll be firing on all cylinders again.

All that effort will make a big difference come growing season, bringing more sunlight to the ground and spurring growth of native plants.

McClaughrey Springs Sunday January 7
This was something of a bonus day, since in past years we haven't worked our Sunday sites in January and February. It was another good one, with about a dozen volunteers, including first-timers Paul, Desiree, and Niaisha.

We were directly across Mill Creek from the parking lot, in a sensitive area where the burgeoning honeysuckle population could only be attacked on frozen ground. Well, we surely had that - morning temps were quite nippy though it moderated as the day went on.

We eliminated numerous honeysuckles, including some big ones, 3-4" diameter or more at the stump. At one point volunteers were dragging cut brush along the frozen surface of Mill Creek, a cool sight to behold! Steve Krupa, still battling the flu, was out for the third day in a row. Trooper!

Road Trip
Tuesday I ventured to the other side of I-55, to Sundown Meadow, where Dennis Kankowske has been leading Tuesday sessions to augment the monthly Saturdays. The land of buckthorn; you still find honeysuckle but the buckies are so much more numerous than in Palos. Luckily, they burn just as well.

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Willow Springs Woods December 30

1/4/2018

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Cold Spell
We lost a couple days to the bitter cold. The coming week temps will moderate just a bit, hoping it will be more tolerable. Tip of the hat to the Saturday crew at Willow Springs, Sunday at Paddock, for getting at it despite tough conditions.

Motto: Once the fire starts all is good.

Saturday December 30, Willow Springs Woods
An unofficial trail runs from Spears Woods on the east, at the Old Country Lane, heading west and skirting a residential area before arriving at the Willow Springs picnic grove. Walking this trail you pass through thickets of honeysuckle. Carolyn has started clearing brush in this section and we've now come twice, as a group, to help.

On this cold day they built a fire atop the ridge and dragged brush up the slope to the fire. Due to another commitment I didn't arrive until noon, in time to take a few pictures and enjoy the fire. They did great, burning a lot of brush from the previous workday as well as everything they cut that morning.

Lots of activity in Palos in the next few days, a good chance to field-test all the cold weather gear Santa brought.

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Paddock Woods January 20, Swallow Cliff & Black Partridge January 21, 2018

Willow West January 13, Hidden Pond January 14, 2018

Cap Sauers January 6, McClaughrey Springs January 7, 2018

Willow Springs Woods December 30

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