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Cap Sauers November 26, Paddock Woods November 30, 2016

11/30/2016

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Cap Sauers November 26

The area we worked is the same place we were in March, clearing both sides of the ravine just below the multi-use trail. It's looking good - a long stretch of the ravine, and the hill above it, are now cleared. You can see that in the pictures below.

We got a big boost from the Friends of the Forest Preserve crew and new volunteers Colleen, Dragan, Tom, Brittany, James, and Matt. On Saturday December 3rd we'll be back at Cap Sauers Moraines, though we'll be working closer to Ford Road (and the meeting place).

Paddock Woods November 30

Today we returned to an area we identified several weeks ago, on a cut-and-drop day, as one with enough brush to justify its own workday. Our main target was honeysuckle, but we also tangled with some tall, nasty multiflora rose. Three of us walked out with scratches on our faces as documentation of those encounters.

Doug brought brats and we ate our lunch after the work was finished. Fun day, productive day, and no rain until hours later, a break in the run of rainy Wednesdays we've experienced.



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Pioneer, Black Partridge, Stone & Paddock: November 19-23, 2016

11/23/2016

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On Saturday we worked at Pioneer, burning three brush piles on a windy day. Thanks to new volunteers John and Matthew, to the Friends crew, and everyone else who joined the fray.

Black Partridge was our destination on Sunday, where scout leaders Rich Welge and Bill Derras came to get a feel for the work (Rich was at Pioneer the preceding day as well). They are planning a conservation program for  the scouts, which should be a win-win for all parties when it comes to fruition.

Monday the sixth-grade class from Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Chicago came to Theodore Stone Preserve. A spirited, fun group of kids they were.

Finally, on Wednesday we managed three hours of cut-and-burn despite the rain that follows us each week to Paddock Woods. The only casualty of the weather was our pre-Thanksgiving lunch - we decided to hold off 'til the 30th and hope for drier conditions.

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Hats and hoods tell the story - an abrupt end to balmy November
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Sixth graders from Our Lady of Mount Carmel awaiting lunch at Ted Stone
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This week's fungus picture, from Paddock Woods
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Spears, Hidden Pond, & Paddock November 12-16, 2016

11/16/2016

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We had three workdays since last post, two of which I missed due to a weekend in Indiana. We saw some great vistas (and some honeysuckle) on a visit to Brown County State Park near Nashville, IN.
Margaret was kind enough to send pictures and an account of the weekend workdays.

Spears Woods Saturday November 12

The ravine where we worked has been a major focus of Friends of the Forest Preserves since last spring. They have cleared a large area around this ravine. On Saturday Brenda and crew worked a small prairie area nearby, pushing back brush to restore healthy prairie habitat.

With chainsaw, brush-cutter, and loppers, we opened up a good swath of woodland along a slope and down to a creek edge. We had two brush piles burning, and a rewarding day in the woods.

Hidden Pond Sunday November 13

We had a small group for our Sunday at Hidden Pond, working close to Kean Avenue and again clearing and burning brush. Mike Kazaitis, whose new job schedule makes it tough to get out, came to help, then showed again at Paddock the following Wednesday. Great to see him!


Paddock Woods November 16

If it's Wednesday this must be Paddock. We worked near the trail leading to McClaughrey Springs. Our small crew (Doug, Mike, Cassie, and Josh) cut some pretty hefty honeysuckles, as well as a few buckthorns, some barberry and euonymus, bittersweet, and the occasional multi-flora rose.

No monoculture here, folks! A true potpourri of bad guys; you could do half the Managing Invasives plant IDs within a perimeter of 30 feet or so.

Next Wednesday Doug plans a pre-Thanksgiving lunch after the work is finished, so we're hoping the weather is half as gentle as it was today.

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Cranberry to McClaughrey, Cap Sauers to Paddock: November 5 - 9, 2016

11/7/2016

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Cranberry Slough November 5

Originally planned as a brush-cutting day at Spears, this morning morphed into seed collection on the prairie at Cranberry Slough.

We had a fantastic turnout, with numerous high school students. There were 16 from Kennedy HS in Chicago, four JROTC cadets from Wheeling, two students from Rochelle and Lake Forest, and our long-distance champions, a mother and daughter from Coal City HS.  I believe the total headcount was 38.

Joe had volunteers pair off, with each pair seeking a particular kind of seed. Target plants included ironweed, rattlesnake master, prairie blazing star, tall coreopsis, quinine, mountain mint, and Indian grass. Again the temperature was warm, again the colors were vibrant! Such days are treasures to be embraced and savored.

McClaughrey Springs Woods & Cap Sauers Holding, November 6

Diana had a good morning at McClaughrey, cutting and burning along the north side of the trail near Mill Creek. Sunday afternoon at Cap we did not burn; the wind had dropped below the minimum five mph needed for a brush pile burn. Since the same thing happened in October, we have an array of piles that will be moved and burned come December 4.

Paddock Woods, November 9
We returned to Paddock Woods on Wednesday November 9; I have no pictures as I was out of the area that day. We'll be there every Wednesday morning through year-end - if you're free during the week check us out!



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Cap Sauers, Sunday November 6, 2016
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Willow Springs Woods October 29, Paddock Woods November 2, 2016

11/2/2016

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Willow Springs Woods (West) October 29

We came back to Willow West, working near Fairmount Cemetery, as is our recent habit around Halloween. We were joined by a group of students from Evergreen Park High School Science Club, led by Kathy Augustyn and Anna Tsoukatos.

The day was stunning, the sunshine showing colors to maximum effect. Lots of maples out there, some of them creeping quite aggressively into the uplands, but they sure look pretty for a short time in autumn.

We worked above, around, and within a ravine that divides the preserve, clearing and burning honeysuckle. In addition the the Evergreen Park group, we had first-timers Dave and Dylan. Our thanks to them, to all who came, for a productive day.

Paddock Woods November 2, 2016

Recent Wednesdays have been rainy, this one no exception. To our good fortune the first showers were brief, passed by, and allowed us to work until noon as scheduled. We are concentrating on the ravine in the southeast corner, clearing to the west and south, towards 119th Street and the school.

Bob Schwaan's enthusiasm is terrific. He works incessantly; at the end of the day we have to pry the tools from his hands. His advocacy is equally impressive. He has brought volunteers from two of his other activities, the Master Naturalist program and Trail Watch. Bob also contributes pictures, like the group shot  below. Thanks also to first-timers Paula, Josh, and Cassie.

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Picture by Robert Schwaan
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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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