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Cap Sauers January 25, Swallow Cliff South January 26, 2020

1/29/2020

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Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday January 25
​We extended our recent run of damp Saturday mornings with this one. Yeah, it does slow ya down when the ground and fuel are saturated. Given that, we still had multiple fires burning and loaded them up well.

Like so much of our post-glacial terrain, Cap Sauers is rife with rolling hills and ravines, small drainages and larger creeks moving water from high to low ground. Stunning landscapes!

Swallow Cliff Woods South Sunday January 26
We had an excellent group today, with seven scouts and leaders from Troop 671 in Chicago, and additional first-time Palos volunteers Amy, Dylan and Luke. The ground was mostly frozen so we were able to work without the muddy mess we often have encountered this warm wet January.

With a wide stretch now clear all the way down to the marsh, our work site looks better each time we walk away. More sun reaching the ground means more native herbaceous plants come spring. Thanks to all who help make our local nature healthy!
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Paddock Woods January 18, MLK Day of Service January 20, 2020

1/21/2020

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Paddock Woods Saturday January 18
Our only session of the weekend was a slushy one, not optimal for fire-starting but still manageable. We had multiple brush piles burning in a really pretty area of Paddock. Our thanks to all who came to haul and pitch, including first-time Palos volunteer Drew.

Characteristic of our winter dates, we all got an excellent workout and headed home with the feeling of a job well done.

MLK Day of Service Monday January 20
This year's Martin Luther King Jr. holiday marked the 25th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader's life and legacy. Forest Preserves of Cook County hosted several restoration days around the county; the nearest to Palos was at Dan Ryan Woods.

With busloads of students coming throughout the afternoon, Volunteer Resources and Little Red Schoolhouse staffers did a terrific job helping them cut and burn buckthorn and other invasive brush. It was a privilege to be a part of that day AND it got me to a preserve I don't visit often.

Lake Katherine, Palos Heights
Though it's not part of the forest preserves, this is one of my go-to places. It's only half a mile's walk from home, has a one-mile chipped path around the lake, and connects to the Cal-Sag paved trail at both ends.

On most days it's well-trafficked, so people who don't feel safe walking alone tend to come here. You don't get the solitude of a long walk on a preserves trail but that's a trade-off many are willing to make.

Staff and volunteers are doing a prairie restoration on one end and invasives removal throughout. Other features include a pollinator garden (by Palos Heights Garden Club), vegetable garden, and much more. Lake Katherine is part of the Palos Heights park system and definitely something my current hometown is doing right. 
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Hidden Pond Woods January 11, 2020

1/13/2020

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The weather outside was frightful... Saturday January 11
Last Saturday and all restoration days in the Cook County Preserves were canceled. Which was okay for those of us  were scheduled for the weekend's indoor activity, which follows.

ConEx at Stagg High School, Saturday January 11
This event was organized by Peter Gordan, a graduating senior and the founder of Homes4Monarchs, an organization dedicated to building awareness and providing habitat for the monarch butterfly. This was ConEx's second year and several exhibitors expressed the hope that Peter's graduation won't preclude another one in 2021.

It was much fun, with about 80 exhibitors and vendors including Orland Grassland Volunteers, Shedd Aquarium, Forest Preserves of Cook County, and others too numerous to list.. Extras included live animals, live music, and an authentic T-Rex skull.  A huge personal thank-you to Dave Branigan, Bob Erck, and Kathy Bruch for joining me and to all who stopped at our table to say hey.

Hidden Pond Sunday January 12
Sunday was a much better day to be outside and we took advantage, cutting brush near a little wetland south of the prairie. . Wet ground and fuel didn't keep us from getting a hot fire going and we cleared a nice patch of land by noon. 


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Spears Woods January 4, McClaughrey Springs & Cap Sauers January 5, 2020

1/7/2020

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Spears Woods Saturday January 4
This was the first of our tree-thinning days of the season, with three chain sawyers from Atrium Landscape, compliments of Kathy Bruch. We had an excellent group, including first-time Palos volunteer Jim T., a regular at Bartel Grassland.

​We worked close to the Old Country Lane and 87th Street, continuing in an area started two years ago. We managed several seriously large fires going (propane and the leaf blower in starring roles) and got some good work done.

​McClaughrey Springs Sunday January 5
Diana had a small group on Sunday morning, but with Steve and Bob both toting chainsaws you can figure on a goodly amount of brush going down. These guys take no prisoners. While I couldn't make this one I am told it was productive.

Cap Sauers Holding Sunday January 5
We were 16 strong on Sunday afternoon, including first-time Palos volunteers Arlene and Sean, as well as Steve and Ann who came with son Max. Max volunteered with us way back in 2016 when he was in high school; now he's at Tulane U. and back to help again. 

Working just above a small drainage along Visitation Trail, we dragged and burned a number of bigger buckthorns that were already cut and awaiting us, and targeted invasive brush in an expanding circle as the afternoon progressed.

What was a tangled mess upon arrival was much more open and inviting by the time we finished. Thanks to all who attended for a super day!
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Paddock Woods December 28, McClaughrey Springs December 29, 2019

1/2/2020

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Paddock Woods Saturday December 28
We returned to the site last worked before Thanksgiving, removing brush from both sides of a ravine inside the Yellow Trail loop. Two gas brushcutters helped immensely. Meanwhile, our chain sawyers thinned trees a safe distance away. 

We were joined by first-time Palos volunteer Kaela and returning friends including Sheri, Jake and Miguel. The year-end warm spell continued, working against us in one respect; the soft damp earth limited our ability to traverse the sides of the ravine. Though it felt good to shed clothing and work in shirtsleeves this late in the year...

McClaughrey Springs Sunday December 29
This marked the last session of the year in Palos.  We cleared brush along a winding stretch of Mill Creek, giving us a clear view of the creek by morning's end. This is the instant gratification we don't often get in our endeavors - pushing a wall of brush back doesn't have the same visual impact.

We were fortunate to have Steve and his chainsaw (and later Ben's) to deal with the bigger, tangled masses of brush. That freed the rest of the group to haul and burn, which we did with great energy. Much thanks to Kaela, who, along with Steve, Kathy, and Diana, doubled up Saturday and Sunday. 
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    Author

    I'm Jan Pietrzak with the Palos Restoration Project. This blog and website were created for your information and enjoyment.

    I hope you'll be encouraged and inspired to volunteer at any of the numerous forest preserves in our area.

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