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Pioneer Woods May 25, Swallow Cliff South May 26, 2019

5/29/2019

Pioneer Woods Saturday May 25
We had a small group of garlic mustard hunters on this holiday weekend, and a good visit from reporter Tim Hadac and photographer Mary Hadac. We very much appreciate their interest and desire to cover our efforts.

We hiked from the north end of the parking lot to an area above and around the wetland near Old Country Lane, finding small pockets of garlic mustard here and there. Enough to warrant the effort, and not enough to make hauling it out onerous.

Swallow Cliff South Sunday May 26
Another garlic mustard search, this one with a bigger group, about fifteen. Among them were several first-time Palos volunteers; Corbin, Valerie, Bryce, and Steve (hope I got y'all in here). I'm impressed how quickly new volunteers develop a sharp eye for GM.

Occasional raindrops were not enough to discourage us on our trek from the South picnic grove to the Swallow Cliff stairs, then doubling back and completing the mile loop. Numerous, large displays of wild geraniums were outstanding, right at their peak, and we saw a variety of other natives as well. Beautiful!

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Cap Sauers Moraines May 18, Black Partridge Woods May 19, 2019

5/21/2019

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Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday May 18
This was a garlic mustard hunt, joined by 24 students from Curie HS and their teacher, Erin Falukner. Consistent with what we've seen over recent weekends, some garlic mustard was found, but not in great amounts. Saturday morning was sunny and pleasant, a great time to be out and about. Frequent rains have created a green, lush landscape that led volunteer Kathy Bruch to say she'd 'never seen Cap look so good'.

Nature Walk With a Librarian Saturday May 18
Jessica Rock of Palos Park Public Library and several patrons walked through Paddock Woods, enjoying the diversity of spring wildflowers that make that site such a delight. We appreciate our partnership with the library and the chance to tour out preserves with their patrons. Always a good time...

Black Partridge Woods Sunday May 19
Mother was not so kind today as we twice were rained on, though neither time for any duration. Some finished the afternoon in ponchos. We had mixed success in our garlic mustard hunt, finding a few spots with smallish clusters of plants and sporadic sightings elsewhere along our walk. Near quitting time the sun returned, a most welcome occurrence.

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McClaughrey Springs May 11, Hidden Pond May 12, 2019

5/16/2019

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McClaughrey Springs Saturday May 11
This was a stumping party, held in Palos Park Woods north. We did some serious follow-up in an area that was partially cleared about a year ago. Several students from Curie High School joined us, along with Palos Park residents Jim and Jan, scouts Brent and Bonn, along with Miguel, Margaret, Kathy, Doug, and steward Diana

Bow saw stumping is tough and this group attacked it with vigor - by morning's end we pushed the line way back. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Hidden Pond Sunday May 12
We had a small turnout (Mothers Day effect) who worked like a large crew. Witness, per Mary Busch's account: "...burned brush piles, scattered seed in newly cleared edges, took photos of invasive lily of the valley for a Conservation Corp request, picked up garbage and mylar balloons, cut, scattered and herbicided buckthorn and honeysuckle in the prairie and pulled garlic mustard." Thank you Mary, Cyndi, Jay and Kathy for playing way above the rim (silly sports analogy).

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Spears Woods May 4, McClaughrey Springs and Cap Sauers May 5, 2019

5/8/2019

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Spears Woods Saturday May 4
We walked a big loop through Spears (~ 3 miles) looking for garlic mustard - other than a couple locations it was rather sparse.

We were joined by 18 volunteers from Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's TEENS program, a group that visits us periodically and is always a joy to host. While they didn't get to do a lot of pulling, they managed to spot at least three species of frogs and got to view other local wildlife as well. After lunch they planned further exploration at Cranberry Slough.

McClaughrey Springs Sunday May 5
Another day with limited garlic mustard - is it late or are we (fingers crossed) seeing a small measure of progress in our ongoing battle with the stuff? It's hard to predict due to the numerous cold days in April.

Cap Sauers Holding Sunday May 5
More of the same, which is to say, limited garlic mustard. One hedge - while there was little in the areas which had prescribed burns, stepping into the honeysuckle patches meant finding some, albeit tiny, plants. So they surely aren't eradicated yet and may still show their nasty selves before the season ends.

Addendum: after leaving Cap Sauers I walked the Yellow Trail from the Swallow Cliff stairs to Teason's Woods and found an abundance of garlic mustard. Game on.

We'll be at McClaughrey Springs Saturday May 11 and Hidden Pond Sunday May 12.

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Paddock April 27, Swallow Cliff April 28, 2019

5/2/2019

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Paddock Woods Saturday April 27
Rain got to us after little more than an hour, going from a light drizzle to something more substantial. That, of course, paled in comparison to the fat sloppy snowflakes that started their descent around noon. Just another unremarkable late April snowfall, makes one wonder what's in store for May...

Nature and Arts Festival at Lake Katherine, Saturday April 27
A big thank-you to Maureen Neidle and Dave Branigan for representing us and spreading the restoration gospel at this annual event. Here, too, attendance was affected by weather - the steam rising off the lake was eerily beautiful (see picture below) it was seen by relatively few.

Our thanks also to Gareth Blakesley of Lake Katherine and Jeannine Kacmar of Palos Heights Public Library for welcoming us to the festival.

Swallow Cliff Woods Sunday April 28
Saturday was one of the bleakest days in recorded history; Sunday we awoke to clear skies. By noon most of the snow had melted!

We had a super group of volunteers and many new faces (we love new friends!) at Swallow Cliff. Many came from the Marie Newman for Congress team and all were energetic, clearing a large swath of honeysuckle in the middle of our work area. By quitting time the difference was apparent, with much more sunlight making its way to the ground.

Black Partridge Woods Sunday April 28
This is a late entry; thank you, Cindy, for filling me in on the work at Black Partridge last Sunday. It was the first day of this season dedicated to garlic mustard - most of our workdays in the next few weeks will focus on the fragrant little weed.

Showdown at Sundown Tuesday April 30
Friends of the Chicago River worked with Beam Suntory on a corporate day of service. They called it "Together for Good" and certainly brought a big group together; we had over 80 volunteers at Sundown Meadow. They did a lot of good too, cutting and burning invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle along a trail.

There are logistical challenges in working with so large a group. Fortunately we had ample tools and supplies, great leaders, and a game plan that worked remarkably well.

The key piece, though, is always the spirit and enthusiasm of the people you're working with. This group, like Sunday's at Swallow Cliff, was exemplary. Thanks to Friends of the Chicago River and Beam Suntory for the opportunity and the help!

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Pioneer Woods May 25, Swallow Cliff South May 26, 2019

Cap Sauers Moraines May 18, Black Partridge Woods May 19, 2019

McClaughrey Springs May 11, Hidden Pond May 12, 2019

Spears Woods May 4, McClaughrey Springs and Cap Sauers May 5, 2019

Paddock April 27, Swallow Cliff April 28, 2019

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