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Cranberry Slough January 22. 2022

1/26/2022

Cranberry Slough Saturday January 22
We had another busy Saturday, loading six or seven big fires at Cranberry, just a few feet above a frozen slough in the northeast corner of the preserve. Another good turnout, including first-time Palos volunteer Tom. He came on the family plan; daughter Nicole is a regular, valued member of our team.

Numerous trees had come down from higher ground, infiltrating the lower land and pulling a lot of water out of the wetland. Thinning some of the trees should increase the water available in the lower ground.

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Cap Sauers Moraines January 15, 2022

1/20/2022

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Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday January 15
Big group at Cap this Saturday, at least 15 volunteers and five from Atrium Landscape (three sawyers and two more hauling). This included first-time Palos volunteer Joe Q. We had several large fires scattered on and around a knobby rise, not too far from the trail.

The fires burned quite well thanks to a brisk wind. We kept them loaded and ensured that each would burn deep into the afternoon. This area has opened up very nicely, with clear views of the undulating terrain surrounding our work site.

MLK Service Day Monday January 17
Since we haven't held any days of service on Dr. King's day in recent years, I usually get to step outside Palos for a day. In past years I've gone to Dan Ryan Woods; this year I chose Kickapoo Woods in Riverdale. Co-steward June Webb is doing well at Kickapoo, ably assisted by Gloria Orozco of Friends of the Forest Preserves.

They're clearing a large swath of buckthorn from land adjacent to the Little Calumet River, and we had two fires to dispose of the cut brush. It was a fun morning with good people and I felt fortunate to be a part of it.

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McMahon January 8, Hidden Pond January 9, 2022

1/13/2022

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McMahon Woods and Fen Saturday January 8
This was our first tree-thinning day of the season, in the recently-cleared bittersweet tangle I've been writing about over the past few months. We had three honkin' big fires and an energetic group loading them. Huge thanks to Kathy Bruch of Atrium Landscape for her generous donation of the chainsaw crew that cut on this day, and will continue to do so over the next eight weeks or so. They make an enormous difference!

The follow-up brush-mowing project at McMahon has now begun; I saw Joe's car parked yesterday and dropped in for a look. Our detested wall of brush has been pushed way, way back now, something that should delight anyone who's joined one of our vine-wrestling matches since last October. It's quite the sight to see.

Hidden Pond Woods Sunday January 9
The previous night's freezing rain left a veneer of ice everywhere. It was our good fortune that local public works crews had most roads safely drivable by morning, and once we gingerly tiptoed onto the prairie we were in good shape.

We cleared a big patch of brush just above the west edge of the prairie, on a slope that offered shelter from the still-brisk wind. It was our good fortune (again) that the warmest part of the day was morning, with temperatures dropping steadily throughout the day. And our further good fortune that this super group of eight volunteers braved conditions and joined us on this morn, including first-time Palos volunteer Stephen.

Kathy and Joy got a fire going pretty quickly, given the sheen of ice on all the fuel, and it burned hot right up to quitting time. Good day, good times.

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Spears Woods January 1, 2022

1/6/2022

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Spears Woods Saturday January 1
Our first restoration day of the New Year came under threat of rough weather, with both rain and snow in the forecast. We arrived to a light mist that eventually faded, and close to noon snowflakes began to appear. It was no hindrance, didn't even cause us to break stride as we built two fires and cleared a patch of honeysuckle and multiflora rose not far from the parking lot.

As the snow fell we noticed how the heat from each of the fires created a snow-free zone that extended in a sizeable perimeter. I tried to capture this in a photo, below; it's hard to see because the snow was minimal at that point.

Grant Work in the Preserves
This week McClaughrey Springs steward Diana Krug informed me that grant work at her site had started. This is funded by a grant obtained by Friends of the Chicago River.

I took an icy walk on the Yellow Trail yesterday to check this out; they've begin cutting brush close to La Grange Road. Brush-mowing is also in the plan, this to be done closer to Mill Creek. I heard what might have been mechanized equipment but did not venture in due to brisk winds and the risk of falling limbs (trees, not mine).

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Cranberry Slough January 22. 2022

Cap Sauers Moraines January 15, 2022

McMahon January 8, Hidden Pond January 9, 2022

Spears Woods January 1, 2022

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