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McMahon October 23, Swallow Cliff October 24, 2021

10/28/2021

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McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday October 23
Two weeks ago we began clearing a honeysuckle patch near the model airplane field at McMahon. It was distinctive in the abundance of bittersweet vines holding everything together. On this day we continued that battle, expanding our clearing both north and south of the initial work.

It was, once again, a great group of motivated volunteers and we got a lot accomplished. We'll return this Saturday, October 30, to push the line of brush even farther back.

Swallow Cliff Woods South, Sunday October 24
We woke up Sunday morning hoping the rain would hold off. Id didn't beginning as a drizzle and becoming a light rain before our 9:00 am start. We abandoned the notion of burning and began tackling a stand of honeysuckle conveniently within sight of the parking lot (and shelter), and knocked most of the miscreants down before wet gloves and increasing rain drove us to the shelter.

There we enjoyed some home-made chocolate chip cookies (thanks, Julie!) before departing for home, soaked but not defeated. Best part of it; we get to return a week later, on Halloween, and finish what we started (with fresh cookies). Thanks to our small, hardy group of volunteers, including first-time Palos volunteers Bob and Louis, who came all the way from Humboldt Park.

I returned that afternoon for a hike and found the preserve almost totally abandoned. Walked the one-mile loop, and beyond, without seeing a solitary human, and when I got back to the lot mine was the only car. This was at 3 pm, the Bears hadn't started playing yet, and I had the south woods to myself. I LOVED IT!

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Cap Sauers October 16, Black Partridge October 17, 2021

10/21/2021

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Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday October 16
Margaret and team continued brush removal along the multi-use trail, not far from Bergman Slough. We had at least three first-time Palos volunteers; thank you Mike, Liam, and Steve for your contribution to healthy nature in Palos!

This was the first time in months that I've seen saw puddles extending across the trail, in a spot that normally stays wet for much of the year. We've truly experienced a dry stretch of weather, starting after the heavy rains of May 2020.

Nature Walk at Cap Sauers, Saturday October 16
While Margaret worked on the west side of Cap Sauers, we also had a nature walk on the east side, with Jessica Rock and patrons of Palos Park Library.  Walking west from Teason's Woods, we experienced the remarkable terrain of Cap Sauers, with high bluffs and deep ravines showcasing the power of water to carve a landscape..

Black Partridge Woods Sunday October 17
Another picture-perfect fall day, with a cool morning and pleasant afternoon. We cut brush on the south side of Bluff Road, near the S-curve and Goose Lake, in a dense thicket of buckthorn and honeysuckle. Neal got some chainsaw time in while Joy practiced for the upcoming brush pile burn class (you got this!)

We also welcomed back Nicole from the IR (Injured Reserve) list; the injury was NOT sustained doing habitat restoration. Thanks also to first-time Palos volunteer Vinkut for joining us.

It was fascinating the way this day unfolded. We first cut an opening in the center of the thicket, where we put our single burn pile. Then, like spokes of a wheel, each volunteer worked their way outward from that center, so that by day's end we expanded our cleared circle substantially. Great group, got a lot accomplished!

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McMahon October 9, Hidden Pond October 10, 2021

10/10/2021

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McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday October 9
This was a truly tangled mess that Joe set us loose on last Saturday. The honeysuckle was thick as can be, all tied together by a labyrinth of Asian bittersweet vine. Each cut was followed by pulling, snipping, looking for the vine that prevents you from moving the cut piece to the fire. Even the chainsaws and brush-cutter are stymied by bittersweet.

We were blessed to have a strong and energetic group of volunteers on site. Thanks to all for their effort and patience. By morning's end we'd cleared a nice little plot of ground, something to build on when we return in a couple weeks.

We also were joined by FPCC stewardship aides Teri Radke and Emily Russell; Emily will be assisting at sites in the South and Southwest regions, welcome to Palos!

Hidden Pond Woods Sunday October 10
Thankfully we had no vine problems to deal with Sunday. We targeted a row of green ash trees, some of them small, others big enough to tower over our heads, all growing on the Kean Avenue side of the preserve and infiltrating the prairie to the west. With site steward Mary Busch out of town, Kevin Kuhn from FPCC Volunteer Resources came to help.

Hearty thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Joe F., to chainsaw Bob for all his cutting, to Kevin and Neal for both cutting and hauling, to Joe C. and Curtis for keeping the fire fed (and the burn scar small), and to Kathy for her usual stellar job of herbiciding. That isn't easy, demanding a sharp eye and great patience.

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Willow Springs October 2, McClaughrey Springs October 3, 2021

10/7/2021

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Willow Springs Katydid Saturday October 2
The work site had some really big buckthorn (see picture below for the stump of a ridiculous five-legged monster). While Jim and Kevin chain-sawed the big targets, and Dough ran the brush-cutter, a number of the other volunteers cleared a big patch of brush, opening up the view to Katydid Prairie very nicely.

It really looked different when we finished. Joy posted some before/after pictures on Facebook that illustrate what invasive brush removal does to open up a piece of land. Click  here

McClaughrey Springs Sunday October 3
Sunday we returned to the work site of the previous Saturday, removing more honeysuckle and buckthorn with hand tools and one chainsaw running. Volunteer and FOTFP crew member Neal got in some licks with the chainsaw (he's newly certified) while the rest of us hand-cut and hauled to the fire. Darien got to hone his fire-starting skills in anticipation of brush pile burn class.

Thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Art for joining us, as well as Kevin Kuhn from Forest Preserves Volunteer Resources. Kevin will be with us again this Sunday, helping at Hidden Pond. Always great to get that support!
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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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