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McMahon September 19, Black Partridge September 20, 2020

9/24/2020

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McMahon Woods Saturday September 19
Doug was back in his element, taking the brush-cutter to a big honeysuckle thicket out in the middle of the prairie. Jim C. was nearby, chainsaw in hand, taking down another thicket. By quitting time all that honeysuckle was gone, reduced to ash. It felt good to work a fire again, though somewhat warm. That's okay, reminds you to keep a safe distance.

Black Partridge Woods Sunday September 20
Sunday was another stunning late-summer day, the kind that draws you outdoors. We worked on the south side of Bluff Road, removing teasel flowers and collecting a small amount of seed. Then John took us on a walk, first along the creek, then through the upland. A big thank you to Oak Lawn siblings PIotr, Rafal, and Patty for joining us on this day.

Happy Birthday, We Turn 30 This Month
Set down by the campfire, boy. Let me tell ya a story 'bout somethin' that come about a long long time ago. A buncha folks from these parts wuz gittin' worried 'bout the land, an' how it weren't lookin' real healthy, an' it weren't good for the local critters that live out 'chere.

So they formed them this group, an' they called it a restoration project, named after Palos just 'cause that's where they wuz, and it's still goin' on to this very day. A coupla them guys, they's called Joe and John, they's still part of it, an' they ain't even that old now.

An' if ya sees 'em out there, go on over an' pick up one o' them bowsaws or lopper thangs and give 'em a helpin' hand. "Cuz that's the way they do things 'round here and they sure 'nuff gonna 'preciate that.


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Hidden Pond Woods September 13, 2020

9/17/2020

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Picture
Sunday September 13, Hidden Pond Woods
Despite the soaking rain Saturday, we managed to keep dry while collecting seed on the Hidden Pond Prairie. We had great help from two mom/daughter teams, first time Palos volunteers Juana and Dorothy and returning heroes Meghan and Hollyn, and garnered a variety of native species, which will go largely in the areas near Kean Ave recently cleared of brush.

Many monarchs were active in the prairie, showing a special fondness for the nectar of the native field thistle. It was a truly lovely morning and a great time to be outdoors.

Return to the Burn
Last Saturday Joe planned to cut and burn brush; the rain said otherwise. We'll try again this Saturday, September 19 at McMahon, and again Sunday afternoon at Black Partridge.

Yesterday I went to Zoo Woods to help John Plunkett and a group of volunteers cut buckthorn. Coincidentally, last time we burned, March 18, was also at Zoo Woods. That Friday the coronavirus shutdown was announced and our eager fire-starters took a long break. Now we're coming back.


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Paddock Woods September 5, 2020

9/10/2020

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Paddock Woods Saturday September 5
We collected seed in Paddock on Saturday morning, on a cool morning that was sheer delight. We collected some grasses, a few berries and a lot of desmodium (the seeds attached to our clothing added to our collection even as they necessitated a session of picking/scraping ourselves clean in the parking lot).

Paddock has so much going on, rolling hills and ravines, a wealth of open woodland, and a great variety of native plants. Check the photos below which were taken primarily at Paddock, McClaughrey Springs, and Swallow Cliff, its neighbors to the west.

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McClaughrey Springs Woods August 29, 2020

9/2/2020

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McClaughrey Springs Woods Saturday August 29
Thanks to Maggie from Friends of the Chicago River and Drew from Chicago Audubon for joining us on this day. We did some light brush cutting, the first time I've set bowsaw to woody since March. We did not burn, mostly cutting and dropping smaller honeysuckle re-sprouts, yet it was a pleasure to have the tools back in hand.

We worked near Mill Creek, in an area originally cleared several years ago on a fun winter day. Some spots have filled in nicely, while a big chunk of the area still needs selective tree thinning to get more sun to the ground. Like all our sites, it's a work in progress.

Doug Bosco's been eager to pick up the brushcutter again, and got his chance Saturday. Herbiciders included Maggie, Jean, Diana, and Kathy. It's really tough to find all the targets when we're cutting the little stuff, requiring great diligence on their part. We also saluted Cyndi Duda, whose official retirement began two days prior.

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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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