Blog Posts - Palos Restoration Project

McClaughrey Springs March 14, 2020

3/19/2020

McClaughrey Springs Saturday March 14
So this will be the last workday report for at least a little while. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC) is canceling public workdays, at this point until May 11. We'll see with time how successful we as a society have been at controlling spread of the virus, and when habitat restoration days can resume.
Thank you, FPCC for making the right call.

Back to McClaughrey; this was a cleanup day behind a tree-thinning project weeks earlier. Thanks to everyone who showed up and helped burn five brush piles worth of cuttings. Your roving correspondent could not make this one due to another commitment but wishes he could have; these are the days you drive home with the muscles you employed telling you you did well.

What Can I Do if I Can't Burn?
It's a poorly kept secret that one of the attractions of our fall/winter sessions is the brush pile burn. Fire fascinates. I used to think it was just the boys, have since learned that the ladies share that affinity for a roaring blaze. The dance of the flames is entrancing and the satisfaction of feeding an ornery tangle of multi-flora rose to a fire and watching it flare up is quite exquisite.

Usually you pace yourself from winter, with its big fires, through the early spring days, and well into April, knowing that soon you'll switch to garlic mustard and other weed removal. This year, BOOM! One day we're burning, next day it's all overdone. Is some form of withdrawal symptom present?

Julie claims my behavior at home has changed, that she's noticed how often I've burned toast. She even states on one occasion I stood in front of the toaster, watching it burn rather than pulling it out. I deny that emphatically.

Will I revert to a distant day of youth, when I slipped away from a backyard birthday party and started a (tiny) leaf fire under our front porch? I remember few things from that far back but have vivid recall of that day. Of my best friend, Larry, reporting me to the adults in the back yard. And my second-best friend, Ray-Ray, leading the chase pack as a terrified little Jan fled north down Forest Avenue.

Julie and I think I may have to get the charcoal grill out early this year. For my own mental health.

Spears Woods March 7, Hidden Pond & Palos Spring Party March 8, 2020

3/11/2020

Spears Woods Saturday March 7
This was a combination brush-cutting and cleanup day near the north end of Old Country Lane at Spears. While we were doing our work, a Forest Preserves crew, augmented by FOTFP Palos crew, was doing a prescribed burn several hundred yards away. It was quite interesting to watch the lines of smoke rise as they moved through their target area.

As for us, we were a feisty group of log-tossers, building just one fire for easier containment on a breezy day. We loaded it up well and kept it cooking throughout the morning, and when we departed the area was more open and inviting. Much better for the next prescribed burn which comes to the area!

A big thank you to Kevin Neary of FPCC for getting several departing volunteers through the smoke expeditiously at day's end.

Hidden Pond Sunday March 8
Kevin Connolly of Kennedy HS brought a group of 20+ students to our Sunday morning session. We worked along Kean Avenue, tackling an especially nasty tangle of buckthorn, honeysuckle, and multi-flora a short walk in from the road. Thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Michelle (brought by daughter Mary from OLCHS) for joining us, here and again at our afternoon party.

Thanks also to newly minted brush pile burn boss Michael for tending a tricky fire until we shut it down early due to increasing winds and decreasing humidity. We left leave some brush on the ground, which will be dealt with next time out.

Palos Spring Party Sunday March 8
Did I mention Sunday was the first day of summer? Maybe not quite but you could've fooled me. We held our spring potluck at Sagawau E.L.C. and had another tempting array of treats from our cooks and bakers. Nagin (Sagawau naturalist) took us outside to view the emerging skunk cabbage (another encouraging sign).

Heartfelt thanks to all who attended, sharing their time and culinary talents with us.

Paw Paw Woods February 29, Black Partridge & Cap Sauers Holding March 1, 2020

3/5/2020

Paw Paw Woods Saturday February 29
This was one of those Jekyll/Hyde weekends; mid-teens leaving the house Saturday morning, definitely toe-warmer stuff. Near-sixty degrees by Sunday afternoon. Saturday was the last of the season's scheduled tree-thinning days so the chill was welcome. Hauling the big stuff generates enough warmth to keep you cozy and frozen ground precludes wallowing in the muck.

We had at least five fires going and an energetic group hauling and feeding them. First-time Palos volunteer Shaun joined us (and returned Sunday at Black Partridge), and Michael completed a second brush pile burn observation.

Black Partridge Woods Sunday March 1
This was the second session in our collaboration with FPCC, Citgo, and National Recreation and Park Association. We had 16 volunteers, including Palos first-timers Eric, Shelly, Sandra, and Juan. Steve knocked so many honeysuckles down with his chainsaw that we didn't get it all on the fires. Volunteer Mai completed her second brush pile burn observation on this day.

Thanks to the sponsors funding this work (& our lunch!), to Raquel Garcia-Alvarez from FPCC for getting the grant, and to the 30+ volunteers who participated over the two days at Partridge. Sagawau E.L.C. plans an Earth Day Service Day on Saturday April 18 and Arbor Service Day on Sunday April 26, both taking place at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont. Both will be 9 - noon.

Cap Sauers Holding Sunday March 1
After such a good turnout in the morning we still had another dozen for this session. Super! First time Palos volunteers included Josh, Ryleigh, Alycia, Mary, Lia (& dad), Chelsea (& friend).

Was it the weather, the 58 degree official high we hit? Was it the sunshine, cabin fever, spring fever? Whatever the case, we benefited, returning to the hill above the wetland, clearing and burning more honeysuckle.

McClaughrey Springs February 22, Swallow Cliff February 23, 2020

2/27/2020

McClaughrey Springs Saturday February 22
Instructor Erin Faulkner of Curie High School and 11 of her students joined our volunteers and a crew from Atrium Landscape for a morning of tree thinning on the west side of the preserve, near La Grange Road and the northern crossing of the Yellow Trail. Sawyers cut a lot and lit several fires to burn it; a followup day is planned for additional cleanup.

Thanks also to first-time Palos volunteer Abigail from Moraine Valley, and a tip o' the cap to Michael for completing his first Brush Pile Burn Boss observation.!

Swallow Cliff Woods South, Sunday February 23
The ice on the trails at day's start was rather tricky, affirming why I have NOT been walking those trails recently. So the number of walkers and runners braving those conditions was quite impressive, and as the day wore on the sun softened the ice considerably, making conditions less treacherous.

We had another great group, with four first-time Palos volunteers: Meghan, Hollyn, David, and Reid. Abigail, who made her Palos debut the previous day, was back for more. Thanks to them, and numerous others, we cleared another big stretch on the bottom portion of the slope near the trail spur going to the stairs. It's really opening up nicely, and Jackie and Ginger already selected a spot for our March work.

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Cap Sauers February 15, Spears Woods February 17, 2020

2/20/2020

Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday February 15
Cap Sauers with a light coating of snow, you can't go wrong. We had several fires going as is the norm on these days, hauling brush by hand and by sled to the fires.

We can't always keep up with the Atrium sawyers, but we give it our best shot. You always walk away from one of these days knowing you've contributed..

Spears Woods Monday February 17
Our Presidents Day was spent thinning trees on a small hill near the north end of the Yellow Trail at Spears. Atrium Landscape sawyers and haulers were present, along with three first time Palos volunteers - Eddie, Wojciech, and Corrine, and returning friends Michael, Laura, Jim, Steve, and Carolyn.

Another relatively dry breezy day, five fires with little trouble starting them. The hillside looked much more open when the work was finished, which was the goal for the day.

Paw Paw Woods February 8, Hidden Pond February 9, 2020

2/12/2020

Paw Paw Woods Saturday February 8
No rain or mist for the first Saturday in a month or more. What a treat! We built and burned several big brush piles, right in the middle of Paw Paw. Thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Michael, also to Joanna Huyck and Kris DaPra from Volunteer Resources who visited to do the Palos segment of their "People of the Preserves" program.

We'll be back at Paw Paw on Leap Day, February 29, so anyone who missed last Saturday still has a chance to help at this lovely place that we don't visit too often.

Hidden Pond Sunday February 9
We had a small group, probably due to the threat of snow showers that didn't materialize until close to noon. By that time we'd removed and burned all the honeysuckle from our target area, and steward Mary Busch was able to effectively shut things down much sooner than anticipated.

Steve's chainsaw was a big reason we finished early. Thanks to him, also to Ed Costin, a volunteer with the Kellers and others in the early days of Palos Restoration Project who had to take a bit of time off to raise a family. Good to see him back, new friends are silver, old ones are gold.

Cranberry Slough February 1, Black Partridge and Cap Sauers February 2, 2020

2/5/2020

Cranberry Slough Saturday February 1
This was another log-tossing, tree-thinning day, with multiple fires that, for at least the third consecutive Saturday, were slow to start due to high humidity and wet fuel. Sure, we eventually get them going. There were brief moments when the sun broke through, all too brief.

Special thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Courtney and to Kathy Bruch of Atrium Landscape and the sawyers and haulers donated by her to help us improve the health of our preserves.

Black Partridge Woods Sunday February 2
On Sunday we marked World Wetlands Day with a brush-clearing morning at Black Partridge. This was a collaboration with Forest Preserves of Cook County, National Recreation and Park Association, and funding partner Citgo.

We numbered 17, including Dan from Citgo making his first visit to one of our restoration workdays. We also had a good showing from the T.Stone/Sundown folks and an assortment of other energetic volunteers, all cutting and dragging to two fires in our latest target area, across Bluff Road from the parking lot. We cleared around some big lovely oaks; perhaps one day, with the increased light, we'll see some of their offsping sprouting. Steward John Marlin expressed his pleasure with the day's accomplishments.

Cap Sauers Holding Sunday February 2
Our third effort of the weekend continued that World Wetlands Day theme, as we worked right above the small wetland visited a month ago, cutting brush up the slope to the north. A special shout-out to Mai, Myra and Luke who doubled up, morning and afternoon with us. True stalwarts! This was the first truly sunny day in nearly two weeks making it a joy to be outdoors.

Cap Sauers January 25, Swallow Cliff South January 26, 2020

1/29/2020

Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday January 25
We extended our recent run of damp Saturday mornings with this one. Yeah, it does slow ya down when the ground and fuel are saturated. Given that, we still had multiple fires burning and loaded them up well.

Like so much of our post-glacial terrain, Cap Sauers is rife with rolling hills and ravines, small drainages and larger creeks moving water from high to low ground. Stunning landscapes!

Swallow Cliff Woods South Sunday January 26
We had an excellent group today, with seven scouts and leaders from Troop 671 in Chicago, and additional first-time Palos volunteers Amy, Dylan and Luke. The ground was mostly frozen so we were able to work without the muddy mess we often have encountered this warm wet January.

With a wide stretch now clear all the way down to the marsh, our work site looks better each time we walk away. More sun reaching the ground means more native herbaceous plants come spring. Thanks to all who help make our local nature healthy!

Paddock Woods January 18, MLK Day of Service January 20, 2020

1/21/2020

Paddock Woods Saturday January 18
Our only session of the weekend was a slushy one, not optimal for fire-starting but still manageable. We had multiple brush piles burning in a really pretty area of Paddock. Our thanks to all who came to haul and pitch, including first-time Palos volunteer Drew.

Characteristic of our winter dates, we all got an excellent workout and headed home with the feeling of a job well done.

MLK Day of Service Monday January 20
This year's Martin Luther King Jr. holiday marked the 25th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader's life and legacy. Forest Preserves of Cook County hosted several restoration days around the county; the nearest to Palos was at Dan Ryan Woods.

With busloads of students coming throughout the afternoon, Volunteer Resources and Little Red Schoolhouse staffers did a terrific job helping them cut and burn buckthorn and other invasive brush. It was a privilege to be a part of that day AND it got me to a preserve I don't visit often.

Lake Katherine, Palos Heights
Though it's not part of the forest preserves, this is one of my go-to places. It's only half a mile's walk from home, has a one-mile chipped path around the lake, and connects to the Cal-Sag paved trail at both ends.

On most days it's well-trafficked, so people who don't feel safe walking alone tend to come here. You don't get the solitude of a long walk on a preserves trail but that's a trade-off many are willing to make.

Staff and volunteers are doing a prairie restoration on one end and invasives removal throughout. Other features include a pollinator garden (by Palos Heights Garden Club), vegetable garden, and much more. Lake Katherine is part of the Palos Heights park system and definitely something my current hometown is doing right.

Hidden Pond Woods January 11, 2020

1/13/2020

The weather outside was frightful... Saturday January 11
Last Saturday and all restoration days in the Cook County Preserves were canceled. Which was okay for those of us were scheduled for the weekend's indoor activity, which follows.

ConEx at Stagg High School, Saturday January 11
This event was organized by Peter Gordan, a graduating senior and the founder of Homes4Monarchs, an organization dedicated to building awareness and providing habitat for the monarch butterfly. This was ConEx's second year and several exhibitors expressed the hope that Peter's graduation won't preclude another one in 2021.

It was much fun, with about 80 exhibitors and vendors including Orland Grassland Volunteers, Shedd Aquarium, Forest Preserves of Cook County, and others too numerous to list.. Extras included live animals, live music, and an authentic T-Rex skull. A huge personal thank-you to Dave Branigan, Bob Erck, and Kathy Bruch for joining me and to all who stopped at our table to say hey.

Hidden Pond Sunday January 12
Sunday was a much better day to be outside and we took advantage, cutting brush near a little wetland south of the prairie. . Wet ground and fuel didn't keep us from getting a hot fire going and we cleared a nice patch of land by noon.