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Meet Palos Woods April 23, 2016

4/28/2016

Close to 40 people came to the "Meet Palos Woods" event on April 23, on a lovely spring morning. We appreciate everyone who chose to spend part of their day with us, and their interest and questions about the preserves.

Thanks to Doug Chien of Friends of the Forest Preserves for his lead role putting this event together, to Jackie Grom and Joanna Huyck of Forest Preserves of Cook County for their assist, and to our Palos volunteers who helped lead the tours. Thanks to Dave Branigan for coming on short notice and to Julie P for the delicious snacks.

This Saturday we will work at Paddock Woods, which we passed through on the walking tours. Abundances of garlic mustard and honeysuckle await us! Sunday we will be at Cap Sauers Holding - check the map and schedule tabs on this site for details.

Joe Neumann addressing our guests prior to the walking tours

After the tours, photo compliments of Bob Schwaan

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Cap Sauers April 16 & Black Partridge April 17, 2016

4/21/2016

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Cap Sauers April 16, 2016

Many of the spring wildflowers are blooming now. The spring beauty is probably the most common, which doesn't make it any less lovely.

This was a busy day. In addition to our work, Margaret coordinated with groups of Boy Scouts hiking through the preserve who stopped to view the activity and hear about restoration. We worked both sides of the multi-use trail near Bergman Slough, alongside a wetland, and by the end of the day a large area was cleared of brush.

It's been a couple months since I posted a picture of Bergman Slough. From our work site of last week, it's just a short walk west to Ford Road and Bergman Slough. We're treated to this view each time we walk out.

Black Partridge April 17

We had another fantastic Sunday afternoon turnout! Five volunteers on their first visit to Palos, another we first met the previous day, as well as our usual committed crew. The area that steward John Marlin and volunteers are clearing grows larger with each visit, and already some native plants are kicking up their heels. They love that sunshine.

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Willow Springs & Hidden Pond

4/14/2016

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Willow Springs Woods April 9, 2016

Saturday we were back at Willow West, another site with a breathtaking walk in (breathtaking in both the literal and figurative senses.)

We worked near the border with Fairmount Cemetery, clearing brush with hand tools, brushcutters, and chainsaws. Once again we were ably assisted by the Friends of the Forest Preserves Conservation Corps. A highlight of this day was the return of Bev Kowalcze to one of our play dates. So true that old friends are gold!

Each time out you see more spring wildflowers budding and blooming. That can only get better with the upcoming warm days.

Hidden Pond Woods April 10, 2016

Sunday marked our first day at Hidden Pond since December, working in the woodland bordering the prairie's north end. This was another honeysuckle day, with Diana chain-sawing some dismayingly thick ones while Doug went after the smaller-diameter stuff with the brushcutter.

The picture below, looking north to the prairie, shows the cleared area, with some brush remaining on the fringe for another day. Job security for the restoration volunteer!.

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Spears Woods, McClaughrey Springs, Cap Sauers Holding

4/6/2016

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Spears Woods April 2

The crazy day, with wind gusts, cold temps, and the occasional snow squall. And sunshine. This stuff should have come on April Fool's.

Due to the predicted high winds, we did not burn, instead cutting brush and laying the cut pieces on the ground. Not as satisfying as burning, but playing the hand you're dealt.

We still got some good work done. The sun even showed its face from time to time, though right before noon came the first real wave of crazy. See Steve, below, strike a defiant pose.

McClaughrey Springs April 3

This day was a beauty, one of those that makes you grateful you were able to get outdoors. And makes you wonder "What WAS that going on yesterday?"

We dragged and burned multiple stacks of brush cut on a previous day when there was NO wind, hence no burning. Numbering only six, we managed to dispose of everything that group of 30 cut and still found time to cut some ourselves before noon.

Thanks to Elijah and Annie (book-ended by Margaret and Diana) for a big assist.

Cap Sauers Holding April 3

This was the last round on our busy weekend and we had a fantastic turnout! Three students from Oak Lawn HS, two from Moraine Valley, one from Stagg, another young man whose school I do not know, other new or almost-new volunteers, really great!

We were spread all over the hillside cutting and dragging to the brush-pile and expanded the area Bob has cleared over the past several workdays. On the walk out we saw several varieties of native plants popping up in areas previously cleared.

Our heart-felt thanks to all the volunteers who joined us on this weekend. You truly are the ones who make good things happen in the Palos Preserves!

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Meet Palos Woods April 23, 2016

Cap Sauers April 16 & Black Partridge April 17, 2016

Willow Springs & Hidden Pond

Spears Woods, McClaughrey Springs, Cap Sauers Holding

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