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Cap Sauers September 21, Black Partridge September 22, 2019

9/26/2019

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Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday September 21
Our volunteers cleared and burned a load of invasive brush, including some terrible tangles, at Cap Sauers on a morning that was overcast and humid but cooperated by not raining on them.

I could not attend this one, was told they did some quality work here.

Black Partridge Woods September 22
We expected a deluge; instead saw a light rain that allowed a couple hours of seed collecting. We took Canada rye from the established areas and spread it farther back, where the last major brush removal was done last year.

We also had five first-time Palos volunteers - thank you Julia and Amy, Matt, Brianna and Katie! Great having y'all out with us!

Fungus Time
September rains have been kind to the fungi. See below...
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Willow Springs Woods September 14, Palos Picnic September 15, 2019

9/18/2019

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Willow Springs Woods Saturday September 14
Doug with a brushcutter, Jim with his chainsaw, the rest of us lopping and bowsawing and dragging brush to the fire! We had another productive morning clearing honeysuckly, bucktorn, and way too much bittersweet. Should I note that ANY bittersweet is way too much?

Lots of good things happening at Willow Springs Woods; next month we're hosting a walk there to show and tell residents the story of restoration in our local preserves.

Palos Picnic Sunday September 15
When the last thing you pack for a picnic is a rain jacket, that's uncertain weather. The threat of rain was soon forgotten, though, as the sun broke through and treated us to a glorious late-summer afternoon.

Great turnout, an abundance of good food, a violinist (thanks, Jei!), even a bubble machine. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who shared a portion of their day with us.

Paddock Woods Tuesday September 17
Collecting seed at Paddock with several volunteers (thanks John, Jim, Dave) and the Palos Conservation Corps, my favorite crew. We found at least two kinds of desmodium, some grasses, and many more. Ten people gathered a considerable amount of seed which will fill in spots recently cleared of invasive brush.



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Willow Springs Woods September 7 2019

9/11/2019

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Willow Springs Woods Saturday September 7
Brushcutting was the order of the day, with honeysuckle as the primary target. Willow Springs Woods, the beneficiary of contract brush-mowing projects recently, is opening up more and more. It's now possible to cross areas that would have been near-impassable a year ago.

Our workday at McClaughrey Springs on Sunday was canceled due to rain - we're making up for it this week with a variety of activities - see below or go to our 'Schedule' page for details.

Brush-cutting: Saturday September 14 at Willow Springs Woods, 9 a.m. - noon

Brush-cutting and/or seed collecting: Sunday September 15, Hidden Pond Woods, 9 a.m. - noon

Annual Palos Picnic: Sunday September 15, Country Lane Woods, 1-5 p.m. We'll supply the burgers and beverages, guests are asked to bring a dish to share.

Seed collecting: Paddock Woods on Tuesday September 17, 9 a.m. - noon

Nature Walk with Palos Park Public Library- Thursday September 19, Spears Woods, 10 - 11 a.m.


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Paddock Woods August 31, Cap Sauers Holding September 1, Spears Woods September 3, 2019

9/5/2019

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Paddock Woods Saturday August 31
We cut honeysuckle in an area within the trail loop, finding (and eliminating) a distressingly large thicket of the stuff. Doug went gonzo with the brushcutter while Jim used his chainsaw to good effect.

We saw this dazzling green caterpillar which Dave Branigan identified as a polyphemus moth caterpillar - I have a picture of the moth he will become, taken in Princeton IL a couple years ago, hiding somewhere on my hard drive. Check the caterpillar picture below, he's a beauty!

Cap Sauers Holding Sunday September 1
We had a small crew for this one so Bob decided to collect seed. Mostly bottlebrush grass, the one seed that was consistently ripe and ready. Thanks to first-time Palos volunteers Luke and John for joining us! 

Spears Woods Tuesday September 3
Rain put a literal damper on this one, rain that came a couple hours ahead of the forecast I heard. We still went out to the prairie and collected, going after one sedge species which offered some ripe seed heads. I also got to see my first obedient plant blooms of the year, always a treat!

That's the payoff from our regular forays into the preserves - you're never certain what you'll see, only that it will vary by date and by location. Always another surprise!
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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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