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Black Partridge September 15, 2024

9/16/2024

Black Partridge Woods Sunday September 15
We were truly a small group Sunday, John, myself, and first-time Palos volunteer Andy. This likely was due to the heat, with the thermometer eventually peaking at 89 degrees. We cut honeysuckle on the south side of Bluff Road, stacking it for burning on another day. Sunday was quite warm and I totally endorsed John's decision to forego fire.

We paced ourselves too, taking the occasional shade and water break, and had piled an impressive amount of cut brush by morning's end. We'll be back on October 20 to burn that, hoping for cooler temps.

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McClaughrey Springs September 6, Ashburn Prairie September 7, 2024

9/9/2024

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Friday September 6, McClaughrey Springs Woods
This was a corporate volunteer day with Lactalis Heritage Dairy, whose parent company, located in France, is billed as the world's largest dairy products group. They brought a terrific group of 30, organized by Friends of the Chicago River (FOTCR). A blessedly cool morning allowed a cut-and-burn day and they dove in with great energy, wielding loppers and bowsaws like pros..

We cleared half an acre, mostly honeysuckle, and burned three large brush piles over the course of the morning. Huge thanks go to the Lactalis group, to Maggie and Kristine from FOTCR, Emily and Kristin from FPCC, and to Palos volunteers Diana (site steward), Joy, Emily, and Meredith for their great assist.

Saturday September 7, Ashburn Prairie
Saturday was our annual trek to Ashburn Prairie in Marquette Park, managed by Chicago Park District with a big assist from Palos steward Joe Neumann. Some thirty years ago the plants on this prairie, then located a short distance from the park, were in danger of being lost forever to development. Joe was a key player in saving these plants, getting the prairie moved - they cut large plugs and loaded them on trucks - and replanted at the park.

We spent a good portion of the morning hauling fallen limbs from the natural area to a path, for disposal by park district staff. Then we scanned the prairie for woody invasives, cutting and removing any we spotted. It was another lovely morning to be outdoors under a September sun..

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Willow Springs August 31, McClaughrey Springs September 1, 2024

9/4/2024

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Willow Springs Woods Saturday August 31
We continued to go after bull thistle that are having a banner year at the site. Now most are past the flowering stage, with their height and fuzzy tops still making them easy to locate. When in doubt grab it by the stalk, you'll know immediately if it's bull thistle. (Disclaimer: Palos Restoration Project does not support the grabbing of bull thistle stalks as a means of identification. This may result in a sharp pain as the large thorns penetrate your skin. The blogger is being facetious to make a point about the hazard of these thorns.)

We had a small group on this Labor Day weekend, including first-time Palos volunteers Karina and Lidia and are most grateful for their help.

McClaughrey Springs Sunday September 1
With a delightfully cool morning, this became our first brush-cut and burn day of the fall season, with two brushpiles near the north side of the Yellow Trail loop and Kean Ave. The main target was honeysuckle and Doug got his first licks of the season in on the gas brushcutter.

We had a terrific group, including first-time Palos volunteer Lydia, and four others - Jess, Ebrahim, Anthony, and Matt - who made their Palos debuts last week at Swallow Cliff. This resulted in a nice stretch getting opened up by quitting time, one that will be expanded tomorrow when Diana hosts a large corporate group.

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Black Partridge September 15, 2024

McClaughrey Springs September 6, Ashburn Prairie September 7, 2024

Willow Springs August 31, McClaughrey Springs September 1, 2024

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