Blog Archives

Maple Lake August 27, 2016

8/30/2016

The following report and pictures come compliments of guest blogger Margaret Tobin. Thank you, Margaret!

With a good soaking rain earlier in the morning, and with over 80% relative humidity, we figured our option was to just stack brush instead of burning it. However, the stacks of brush were getting in our way, and Joe decided we were going to burn. So, with a paper sack of dead branches and twigs he saved for such a purpose, along with one fire log, and one match, Brush Pile Burning in Palos was officially opened by Joe Neumann.

It burned well and easily, once we had it going. There was a nice breeze from the lake, and the weather was not too hot. The heat also helped dry out our soaked clothes.

Joe says we will probably come back to this area, as additional, careful removal of brush amidst good native species will be necessary.

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Black Partridge Woods August 21, 2016

8/24/2016

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On Saturday August 20 we had that most rare of occurrences, a Palos cancellation!

Yeah, it was pouring rain, sure you can't herbicide in those conditions, of course it was the right call. It just doesn't happen very often. We've been quite fortunate in that regard.

So the following day John hosted volunteers at Black Partridge on a beautiful, sunny day. The primary task was the marking of native shrubs with tape, to protect them when John holds brush-cutting workdays later in the season.

Many thanks to Margaret Tobin for taking pictures and giving me a rundown of the weekend while I was away for several days in Arkansas.

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McMahon August 13, Hidden Pond August 14 2016

8/16/2016

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McMahon Woods & Fen August 13, 2016

This was another day of pulling white sweet clover. Fun facts about white sweet clover:

Estimates of longevity of seed in the soil range from 2-1/2 to 81 years.
Viable sweet clover seed has been extracted from animal feces.
Sweet clover is well adapted to survive fire...

So I guess I'm saying I expect to be back there next year.

The above, and much more, can be seen at www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/forb/melspp/all.html

Hidden Pond August 14, 2016

This morning was all about our old friend honeysuckle. We cut and stacked piles in the middle of the prairie - there was insufficient wind for burning - and cleared the entire area targeted. We were most productive!

Thanks to new volunteer Rebecca, to Jackie Grom from FPCC for running the day (and, with Diana, doing the herbiciding), and to Doug who was tearing it up on brush-cutter.

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McMahon, McClaughrey, & Cap Sauers August 6-7, 2016

8/10/2016

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McMahon Woods & Fen August 6, 2016

The first weekend of the month is our busiest, and it began at McMahon.

Our third assault on white sweet clover in the McMahon prairie went much like the prior two; we removed a lot and left much more. The good news is that when it drops all its seed we stop coming. The bad news is we'll be dealing with that seed two years from now. Job security for restoration volunteers...

McClaughrey Springs August 7, 2016

Out first brushpile burn since the end of April was a good one. We burned off all the honeysuckle piles the Shedd Aquarium group cut in July. We got an assist - chainsaws and all - from the FPCC crew that's been coming out recently on weekends. Much appreciated!

Cap Sauers Holding August 7, 2016

Our afternoon session was spent collecting seed (primarily bottle-brush grass) which translates to wandering the site. Saw a lot of mushrooms, large numbers of wild onions in bloom, and a variety of other goodies. The big oak pictured at bottom right is a beauty!

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Cap Sauers Moraines July 30, 2016

8/4/2016

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We had extra help on this one, from FPCC staff Ryan, Nick, and Mark, and interns Lance and John. Past steward and present Plants of Concern volunteer Jackie Whitler also came out, as did Mark from Whistler Woods.

We spent most of our time removing thistle heads in the general area of Visitation Prairie and enjoying the many natives in bloom. It was another great day to be outside!