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Cap Sauers March 21, Swallow Cliff March 22, 2026

3/26/2026

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Saturday March 21, Cap Sauers Holding
Early morning was quite cool and warmed pretty quickly, allowing us to hear chorus frogs by 9:00 am near Bergman Slough. We walked to our recent work site - the walk is getting longer as we push farther in from the trail Upon arrival we faced a large amount of cut brush from previous workdays and made our way through it to the site of our solitary fire, blessedly at a low spot.

Most volunteers, including first-time Palos people Maya and John, started cutting until the fire got going, then switched to hauling. We cleared a most impressive span, including all the cut brush dodged on the way in. Meanwhile, Doug brush-cutting and Kevin and Nicole chain-sawing gave us lots more to haul and add to the fire.

Sunday March 22, Swallow Cliff Woods South
Sunday was the reverse of Saturday, starting out reasonable comfortable and growing chilly, with more wind, as the morning wore on. We had a good group, including first-time Palos volunteers Laura, Ryan, Maddy and Kyla - the latter two on the 'bring-a-friend' program with Claire.

We did great, with one chainsaw (electric with a big-time noise reduction from gas!) and a group of energetic bowsaw slingers, keeping our single fire loaded all morning. By quitting time we had almost broken through to the edge, which will open up a view of the wetland to the southwest. Two days later FPCC crews did a prescribed burn through the area, truly the cherry atop the sundae!
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I included several pictures from the Swallow Cliff burn, walking clockwise from the parking lot. Over the last eight years volunteers have worked in numerous areas along that circuit, as have contractors throughout the area. What's that saying about teamwork?

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Paddock Woods March 14, Black Partridge March 15, 2026

3/19/2026

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Saturday March 14, Paddock Woods
While I missed this one for another commitment, our volunteers returned to the new honeysuckle area at Paddock, on an overcast morn just crying for a brushpile fire or two. Timing was perfect, with some of our spring ephemerals already poking a leaf or two above ground, testing the waters for people who like their metaphors mixed.

The occasional flurry of snow didn't inhibit the fire-starters or the cutters and haulers, who will help the spring sun raise some blooms in a decidedly pretty area with a diversity of native plants.


Sunday March 15, Black Partridge Woods
We faced a no burning decree for Sunday due to high winds, and the imminent threat of rain brought us to Black Partridge early on Sunday morning. Radar viewed at 7:00 am showed rain starting around 10:30 and it arrived right on time.

We got two solid hours of cutting done, with Jim on the brush-cutter, John, Neal and Jan wielding bowsaws and loppers, working demonically until the first raindrops fell. It felt good to get those licks in; we've already lost multiple Black Partridge days to weather this season and have, at most, one more shot at the honeysuckle before the transition to spring and summer tasks. Small crew, mighty crew!
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Willow Springs March 7, Hidden Pond March 8, 2026

3/11/2026

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Saturday March 7, Willow Springs Woods
This can best be termed "Festival of the Roses" as the primary target was one of our regular nemeses, multi-flora rose. I'd not object to deporting all of these devils. We had three gas brush-cutters running and, someone made an emergency run for additional rakes, the best way to gather the cut vines without getting entangled in them.

David and Derek from Tinley Resource Management joined us and worked with both brush-cutter and chainsaw. Volunteers Barb spotted an array of jelly fungi, and Jim saw a garter snake, both pictured in today's slideshow. The morning began with unseasonable warmth and cooled, with rain and stiff winds, becoming the coldest 55 degrees I can recall.

Sunday March 8 Hidden Pond Woods​
We made a big dent in a stretch of buckthorn and honeysuckle lying between LaGrange Road and the multi-use trail, with a huge assist from seven members of The Peregrines, "a community of friends (new and old alike) who travel to important natural areas in northeastern Illinois, making an impact through targeted ecological restoration work." The group is with Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves and are doing great things.
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We also were joined by regional ecologist Kristin Pink, two crew members from Tinley Resource Management (David and Derek), and several of our regular volunteers. Combined, we cleared buckthorn from a long stretch on the edge of the multi-use trail, Even the sandhill cranes migrating overhead seemed impressed, circling several times as if checking our work.
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Michael Kazaitis 1957-2026

3/4/2026

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Mike Kazaitis first found us at the Little Red Schoolhouse Arts & Crafts Fair in October, 2014. Shortly thereafter he attended his first habitat restoration day, and joined us frequently in the years to follow.

Mike was a strong and willing worker, quick to pitch in and help. Photography was one of his many talents and on at least one occasion shared pictures that I used in my email/blog. He also was known for doing home projects,

He had a ready smile and giving heart. In late 2018 he felt our group should have new t-shirts and approached me for a copy of our logo. A couple weeks later he returned with an updated logo, then made a transfer and printed a box of shirts, in a variety of sizes, for distribution to our volunteers. This was done on his initiative out of his own pocket, and he did not want reimbursement.
 

He doted on family and was immensely proud of his daughters. My favorite 'Mike' story came when his daughter was getting married. He told us he took singing lessons prior to her wedding, and recorded the song that played for the father-daughter dance. He beamed when telling the story and showed us a video of the dance. This expression of a father's love truly touched my heart and I won't ever forget it.

After the wedding he continued to volunteer on occasion, though becoming a grandpa became a focal point in his life. His passing came as a shock and brings sadness, mixed with gratitude for all he did for our group and for the pleasure of having known him. I wish peace to Mike and his loved ones.
Picture
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Willow Springs Woods February 28, 2026

3/4/2026

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Willow Springs Woods Saturday February 28
We had four chainsaws on Saturday, as well as Doug on his favorite implement, the brush-cutter. I believe the burn pile count was three, with one located near Old Country Lane and the other two farther west. They burned readily, not always the case with the trees being thinned here. A decent breeze helped stir the fires.

We'll take at least one week couple weeks off from this spot, with a Willow Springs day closer to 95th Street and Katydid Slough next Saturday, March 7.
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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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