Blog Posts - Palos Restoration Project

McMahon October 24, Swallow Cliff October 25, 2020

10/29/2020

McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday October 24
We returned to the prairie at McMahon for the fourth time this season, still dealing with pop-up patches of honeysuckle scattered here and there. Saturday was another gorgeous day, a great time to be on the prairie unless you're a honeysuckle.

We had two first-time Palos volunteers Saturday, Amy from the Illinois Master Naturalist program and Otoniel from Dominican U. Great to have them and both did a terrific job. With Jim and Kevin swinging chainsaws and Doug on the brush-cutter we had plenty of firepower, and lots of dragging to get their victims to the fire. We also cut numerous strays with hand tools. It was a good, productive day.

Swallow Cliff Woods South Sunday October 25
We gladly welcomed two more first-time Palos volunteers on Sunday, John and Christy. John's logged time at other locations, while this was Christy's first time out. Otoniel was back to help on consecutive days, with the team rounded out by Joe, Jim, Kathy, and steward Jackie.

For so small a group we got an impressive area cleared in our three hour shift. Maybe it was the invigorating air of an autumn morning, or we're discovering new superpowers. We're breaking through to an area cleared in previous sessions to provide a clear path for future prescribed burns. We also uncovered a small ravine, running downhill from the trail, which I was not aware of previously. Clearing thickets of brush gives you a much better sense of the terrain.

Weather Wipeout, October 17 & 18, 2020

10/19/2020

No habitat restoration this weekend, with high winds and low humidity combining on Saturday to create a Red Flag Warning. We cannot burn under such conditions, and Margaret decided to cancel because doing other work, like seed collecting, might still place volunteers at risk in a windy woodland.

Sunday at Black Partridge it was rain, a particularly cold rain that began as a mere mist in the morning and fell throughout much of the afternoon. John made the right call; it was quite the nasty afternoon.

This weekend we're hoping for better luck. I got to a couple of my weekday sites, so the pictures below are mostly from Zoo Woods and Sundown Meadow.

McMahon October 10; Hidden Pond & Cap Sauers Holding October 11, 2020

10/15/2020

McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday October 10
This was our third time on the prairie at McMahon in recent weeks, going after honeysuckle in multiple locations. Though I missed this one, I know the drill well by now. Brush-cutter and chainsaw going after the thickest concentrations, volunteers with hand tools hitting the strays and dragging and burning all of it. They're active days, and you get to engage a variety of muscles.

Kevin was back on the chainsaw for us Saturday, definitely good news, and Doug was his indomitable self with the brush-cutter. Joe plans one more day, possibly October 24, to finish the job before the grasses and forbs dry out more and become a fire concern.

Hidden Pond Woods Sunday October 11
We cut buckthorn and honeysuckle along Kean Avenue, steps from the sidewalk, near an area we cleared just before the covid hit the fan. Thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Paul for his energetic help cutting brush and feeding the fire. We'll likely work our way north from this point next month on November 8.

Another beautiful warm day, we've become spoiled to these lately.

Cap Sauers Holding Sunday October 11
Sunday afternoon was a change of pace, collecting seed at Cap with steward Bob Arentz. We were joined by another Palos rookie, Mike, and grateful for his help. Like Paul from the morning at Hidden Pond, Mike has volunteered at other sites around the county before coming to Palos. We hope both gentlemen grace us with another visit.

The preserves were bursting with color; with some trees still holding their leaves we're hoping for more of the same this weekend and next.

Click on any photo in the gallery below to enlarge it.

Maples at Cantigny, October 14

Close-up of same...

Cut log shaped by chainsaw, creative! Also at Cantigny, on our anniversary

I didn't see the bee in this pic, though they were swarming over these asters

Hidden Pond looking south along Kean Ave. from Woodland Drive

Looking NW to the prairie at Hidden Pond

Fungus heroically decomposing tree stump

More fungi at Cap Sauers

Cap Sauers, by wetland along Visitation Trail

Sag Quarries, October 13

Another picture at Sag Quarries

McClaughrey Springs near Mill Creek

McMahon Woods October 3, McClaughrey Springs October 4, 2020

10/8/2020

McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday October 3
Back to the McMahon Prairie for another shot at the clusters of honeysuckle that have popped up in several places, testament to the tenacity of this nuisance plant. Just like last time here, we had Jim with his chainsaw and Doug with the brush cutter slicing their way through the worst of the thicket, while the balance of the volunteers hand-cut and burned the evidence.

We were graced by the presence of two first-time Palos volunteers, Jimmy and Nikhil. A big Palos thank-you to these two gentlemen, and the rest of our team, for their efforts this morning. Great job all around!

McClaughrey Springs Woods Sunday October 4
Diana hosted a small group, removing honeysuckle, multi-flora, and other invasive plants near Mill Creek. They also burned a compost pile from spring garlic mustard removal.

Volunteers Mary and Joe helped with the fire and their effort was much appreciated. My camera crew must be in the darkroom as I'm still awaiting their photos.

In the photo gallery below, click on any photo to enlarge it, then use the arrows to scroll through all.

Brown-eyed Susan hanging on

More colors and sights of early autumn

Another honeysuckle island in the middle of the prairie

An hour later, much of it gone

Praying mantis took a liking to me, crawled on my pants leg before stepping down

Mary & Joe tending fire at McClaughrey Springs: photo by Kathy Bruch

Mill Creek at McClaughrey: photo by Kathy Bruch

This week's cloud photo

Cap Sauers September 26, Swallow Cliff September 27, 2020

10/1/2020

Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday September 26
We were a small, effective group at Cap Sauers Saturday, clearing brush in a pretty spot not far from Ford Road. Doug with the brushcutter, John with a chainsaw, the rest of us hand-cutting, dragging, and burning getting a respectable area cleared. This was despite the abundance of bittersweet vine tangling everything in our path.

With the two dry spells we've had this year, extra caution is needed with brush pile burns. The ground is dry and a lot of vegetation has already died back. Errant embers in these conditions can get you on the news for the wrong reason, so we take care to manage our brush piles accordingly.

Swallow Cliff Woods South Sunday September 27
We had a great group on a crazy-busy morning at Swallow Cliff South; at 9:00 all the parking spaces were filled. By 10:00 cars were parked up and down the sides of the driveway, on the grass, all over the place. Just the same, our stalwart volunteers found us and pitched in for a busy and productive morning clearing brush.

Oak Lawn Community H.S. was well-represented, with three grads (Piotr, Rafal, and Mary) and one senior, Patty. A huge thank-you to them, and to Mai and Myra, always welcome here in Palos. They all helped push through a wall of brush and connect to another area cleared many months ago. More progress like this will allow crews to push prescribed fire through.

McMahon September 19, Black Partridge September 20, 2020

9/24/2020

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.

Hidden Pond Woods September 13, 2020

9/17/2020

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.

Paddock Woods September 5, 2020

9/10/2020

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.

McClaughrey Springs Woods August 29, 2020

9/2/2020

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.

Cranberry Slough August 22, 2020

8/26/2020

Cranberry Slough, Saturday August 22
We were at the south end of Cranberry, across 107th Street from the Model Airplane Flying Field at Morrill Meadow, clipping and picking weeds. Shortly after we arrived, Doug Bosco noticed the abundance of woodland brome growing nearby. He gathered more seed from those plants, in an hour or so, than half a dozen of us were able to gather at Cap Sauers the preceding week. It was the mother-lode.

This area was brush-mowed by contractors last year. Before their work, sections were all but impassable due to the thickness of the non-native brush. Now many natives are showing up, including bottlebrush grass, wingstem and boneset. The latter two are pollinator magnets. Weeds we removed included teasel and bull thistle (lots of that), and Joe was busy with his backpack sprayer as he so often is.

This illustrates the complementary roles that different players have in restoring an ecosystem. Volunteers don't have the mechanized equipment, or the time and numbers, to clear large areas of brush quickly. Grant writers get the funding, FPCC hires contractors to do that work, and the follow-up then falls to volunteer crews like ours, or to the Conservation Corps.

Interested parties can help us by volunteering with Palos Restoration Project, or by donating to Friends of the Forest Preserves to help fund their crews or the Forest Preserve Foundation, the not-for-profit supporting Forest Preserves of Cook County.