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Cap Sauers February 19, Paddock Woods February 23, 2022

2/24/2022

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Cap Sauers Holding Saturday February 19
Super turnout at Cap Saturday morning! I counted 14 cars in the lot when I arrived, and we had several stragglers as well. We also had a big group from Atrium Landscape, running chainsaws as well as hauling. New snow atop old ice forced caution on the walk in and it was quite cold at the start.

As always, the activity and several big fires kept us warm throughout the morning. You truly do forget what conditions are like outside our little "work bubble"  'til the walk back gives that chilling reminder that we're still in February.

​Thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Brian and all of the hard-working volunteers who gave of themselves on this morning!

Paddock Woods Wednesday February 23
This took me back a few years, to our regular Paddock Wednesdays of 2017-18. Good times! On this occasion, we were a stones throws from the Paddock lot, burning three big piles with a smallish group of eight. Much of what we burned was already on the ground, though Jim and Matt were kept busy with  chainsaws bucking it down to manageable size.

This area is so rich in forbs that, during the growing season, it's tough to navigate. Hoverboards would be useful when hunting garlic mustard, to keep us from trampling all the native plants underfoot. In winter it's much easier to get where you need to get, and walking overland was a better choice than chancing the icy stretches of trail. When I left at 1:00 pm our final fire was just taking off, so I suspect Joe stayed deep into the afternoon.

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Willow Springs February 12, Hidden Pond February 13, 2022

2/17/2022

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Willow Springs Woods Saturday February 12
We had an icy walk-in to separate the wide-awake from those who were not. Another good group, with three large though reluctant fires. I had another commitment and didn't get back 'til noon, and I don't imagine Joe got out until near sunset. It was productive, to be sure, and we even left enough work for another session there.

The best part of volunteering in the preserves is the people, whether it's connecting with new people or renewing connections with those from the past. Newbies or veterans, they're the best!

Hidden Pond Woods Sunday February 13
While we had equipment trouble with the chainsaws, old-school muscle power came through as it usually does. We were about a dozen, including first-time Palos volunteers Maria and Sofia. Joy celebrated her one-year anniversary of volunteering by managing the brush pile, and Joe, who recently took the Practical Herbicide class, hit a goodly number of stumps to finish his day.

Some king-sized honeysuckles grow right along the drainage ditch that bisects the preserve. We tackled some of the biggest, slow going but sure to keep the blood moving and body heat up.

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February 9, 2022

2/9/2022

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McClaughrey Springs Saturday & Sunday, February 12 & 13
We doubled up last weekend, with sawyers from Atrium thinning trees on Saturday. We also had a terrific group, including seven first-time Palos volunteers (Laura, Ahlke, Jeannine, Christine B., Christine K., and Linda), all coming with Meredith from the Chicago Women's Rugby team, as well as new volunteer Clay.

The snow was deep, slowing us a bit, but did facilitate use of sleds to haul some of the bigger pieces. Fires were slow to take off due to the high moisture content of the trees being thinned, but we kept at it and eventually got them cooking.

Sunday was a cleanup day, and we welcomed several more first-timers, including Nick from Sandburg HS and Rebecca and Elizabeth from the North Branch restoration group. By quitting time we had loaded most everything onto the fires, and Diana celebrated by ordering pizza for the volunteers. I've eaten a variety of foods at workdays, but this was the first time for pizza. The verdict: it works!

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Black Partridge January 29, Swallow Cliff January 30, 2022

2/3/2022

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Black Partridge Woods Saturday January 29
We had a large group, including sawyers from Atrium Landscape, thinning trees along Bluff Road, not far from the Des Plaines River. It's the portion of the preserve that once was a dairy farm, still inhabited by some big, pretty oaks that were being crowded out by a variety of other species.

Some heavy logs, several big fires, and no problem with the cold. The more you move the better you feel. Thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Sandra for and all others present for a productive morning.

Swallow Cliff Woods Sunday January 30
Another day, another super group. They included first-time Palos volunteer Josh and FPCC's Emily Russell, the new Stewardship Aide for our region. We focused on a patch of honeysuckle along one side of the trail leading to the Swallow Cliff stairs.

It is amazing what a dozen people with hand tools can do in just three hours! No chains saws on this day, just a lot of old-fashioned elbow grease. Thanks to all who attended for the terrific job they did.
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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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