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Black Partridge Woods February 20, 2016

2/25/2016

We worked our way up a slope overlooking Goose Lake and the Des Plaines River, on a day that felt like it was snatched out of April. Carolyn started one of her 'matchless' fires with nothing more than sparks and kindling. We built a total of five brush piles which didn't burn down until deep into the day, and opened a good part of the south-facing hill to more sunlight.

While I prefer a true winter - snowy, cold, the things that make Chicago decidedly NOT Atlanta - I confess it felt good to sit on the ground, away from the fire, and let the tail end of the afternoon roll by.

Looking South to Goose Lake and the Des Plaines

John Marlin and Joe Neumann

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Paw Paw Woods February 13, 2016

2/18/2016

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Paw Paw Woods is a treat. We work there one or two times a year, always in winter. The terrain is up and down, with huge ravines cutting through it. Interesting watching the fat-tire mountain bikers labor up the steeper hills - there's a legal trail running through part of the preserve.

Joe Neumann found native grasses on a south-facing slope, his sign that the area merited our attention. With a multitude of tall skinny trees growing close to one another (see picture below), we were thinning and burning throughout the day.

On President's Day we returned to McClaughrey Springs to clean up a spot we worked two weeks ago. This was another good day, and a chance to play in what little snow fell last Sunday.

Paw Paw Woods - Looking South to Maple Lake

McClaughrey Springs 2-15-2016

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Cap Sauers February 6 & 7, 2016

2/11/2016

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Back-to-back at Cap:

On Saturday we worked along Ford Road, across from the old watchman's house, thinning trees. We lost a little time due to a leaking hose on the propane tank, a minor glitch overcome with paper, twigs, and matches. Big fires, lots of fun, and the last volunteers were out just ahead of sunset.

Sunday was all about honeysuckle, evil, detested honeysuckle,hacking and lopping on a hillside overlooking the wetlands by Visitation Trail.

What a beautiful place Cap Sauers is! If you can't make it to a workday, treat yourself to a hike out here.

Thanks to Meredith who came both days, to new volunteer Austin on Sunday, and to all the usual suspects including our dedicated core team, Atrium Landscape, and Friends of the Forest Preserves.

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McClaughrey Springs & Swallow Cliff; January 30, 2016

2/3/2016

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We had another of our big winter days at McClaughrey Springs, this time thinning pole trees in the upland area west of Mill Creek.

Contractors cleared brush here last year, and a prescribed burn was done in the fall, so the table is set. Now it all needs are seed, sunlight, and time to see if the under-story plants stage a comeback.

John O'Lear hosted his first workday of the year at Swallow Cliff that afternoon; there are no pictures from that one, will get something next time.

Diana Directing Traffic On The Way In

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Black Partridge Woods February 20, 2016

Paw Paw Woods February 13, 2016

Cap Sauers February 6 & 7, 2016

McClaughrey Springs & Swallow Cliff; January 30, 2016

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