Blog Posts

McClaughrey Springs June 1, Cap Sauers June 2, 2019

6/5/2019

McClaughrey Springs Saturday June 1
A dozen students from Johnson College Prep joined us for another morning of stumping and cleaning a section that was only partially completed a year ago. They were a good group and a great help to us; we also had first-time Palos volunteer Desmond whom we hope to see again.

After a week of unsettled weather it was nice to have a morning with no issues, just a chance to get out and do some work. Thanks to all who participated.

Cap Sauers Holding Sunday June 2
This was another day to continue an earlier project, this one a hillside where we previously cut and dropped a large number of honeysuckles to be processed and burned later. Though a small crew we made good progress in cleaning this area.

Weather Notes
Two years in a row now we've seen record rain totals for the month of May. We now are told to expect several sunny days in a row. Will this be the start of our usual June pattern of warmer, drier days? Stay tuned.

We encountered a large fallen oak on our walk in to Cap Sauers Sunday. In falling it also took a large limb from its neighbor, and there was other evidence of wind/storm damage along the trail.

Storm damage at Cap Sauers Holding, possibly from Memorial Day

Shovelin' rocks in the hot sun, they fought the law...

Mill Creek where it drains into the Cal Sag. Contractors built a fish ladder here to enable spawning fish to move upstream.

Pioneer Woods May 25, Swallow Cliff South May 26, 2019

5/29/2019

Pioneer Woods Saturday May 25
We had a small group of garlic mustard hunters on this holiday weekend, and a good visit from reporter Tim Hadac and photographer Mary Hadac. We very much appreciate their interest and desire to cover our efforts.

We hiked from the north end of the parking lot to an area above and around the wetland near Old Country Lane, finding small pockets of garlic mustard here and there. Enough to warrant the effort, and not enough to make hauling it out onerous.

Swallow Cliff South Sunday May 26
Another garlic mustard search, this one with a bigger group, about fifteen. Among them were several first-time Palos volunteers; Corbin, Valerie, Bryce, and Steve (hope I got y'all in here). I'm impressed how quickly new volunteers develop a sharp eye for GM.

Occasional raindrops were not enough to discourage us on our trek from the South picnic grove to the Swallow Cliff stairs, then doubling back and completing the mile loop. Numerous, large displays of wild geraniums were outstanding, right at their peak, and we saw a variety of other natives as well. Beautiful!

Cap Sauers Moraines May 18, Black Partridge Woods May 19, 2019

5/21/2019

Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday May 18
This was a garlic mustard hunt, joined by 24 students from Curie HS and their teacher, Erin Falukner. Consistent with what we've seen over recent weekends, some garlic mustard was found, but not in great amounts. Saturday morning was sunny and pleasant, a great time to be out and about. Frequent rains have created a green, lush landscape that led volunteer Kathy Bruch to say she'd 'never seen Cap look so good'.

Nature Walk With a Librarian Saturday May 18
Jessica Rock of Palos Park Public Library and several patrons walked through Paddock Woods, enjoying the diversity of spring wildflowers that make that site such a delight. We appreciate our partnership with the library and the chance to tour out preserves with their patrons. Always a good time...

Black Partridge Woods Sunday May 19
Mother was not so kind today as we twice were rained on, though neither time for any duration. Some finished the afternoon in ponchos. We had mixed success in our garlic mustard hunt, finding a few spots with smallish clusters of plants and sporadic sightings elsewhere along our walk. Near quitting time the sun returned, a most welcome occurrence.

McClaughrey Springs May 11, Hidden Pond May 12, 2019

5/16/2019

McClaughrey Springs Saturday May 11
This was a stumping party, held in Palos Park Woods north. We did some serious follow-up in an area that was partially cleared about a year ago. Several students from Curie High School joined us, along with Palos Park residents Jim and Jan, scouts Brent and Bonn, along with Miguel, Margaret, Kathy, Doug, and steward Diana

Bow saw stumping is tough and this group attacked it with vigor - by morning's end we pushed the line way back. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Hidden Pond Sunday May 12
We had a small turnout (Mothers Day effect) who worked like a large crew. Witness, per Mary Busch's account: "...burned brush piles, scattered seed in newly cleared edges, took photos of invasive lily of the valley for a Conservation Corp request, picked up garbage and mylar balloons, cut, scattered and herbicided buckthorn and honeysuckle in the prairie and pulled garlic mustard." Thank you Mary, Cyndi, Jay and Kathy for playing way above the rim (silly sports analogy).

Spears Woods May 4, McClaughrey Springs and Cap Sauers May 5, 2019

5/8/2019

Spears Woods Saturday May 4
We walked a big loop through Spears (~ 3 miles) looking for garlic mustard - other than a couple locations it was rather sparse.

We were joined by 18 volunteers from Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's TEENS program, a group that visits us periodically and is always a joy to host. While they didn't get to do a lot of pulling, they managed to spot at least three species of frogs and got to view other local wildlife as well. After lunch they planned further exploration at Cranberry Slough.

McClaughrey Springs Sunday May 5
Another day with limited garlic mustard - is it late or are we (fingers crossed) seeing a small measure of progress in our ongoing battle with the stuff? It's hard to predict due to the numerous cold days in April.

Cap Sauers Holding Sunday May 5
More of the same, which is to say, limited garlic mustard. One hedge - while there was little in the areas which had prescribed burns, stepping into the honeysuckle patches meant finding some, albeit tiny, plants. So they surely aren't eradicated yet and may still show their nasty selves before the season ends.

Addendum: after leaving Cap Sauers I walked the Yellow Trail from the Swallow Cliff stairs to Teason's Woods and found an abundance of garlic mustard. Game on.

We'll be at McClaughrey Springs Saturday May 11 and Hidden Pond Sunday May 12.

Paddock April 27, Swallow Cliff April 28, 2019

5/2/2019

Paddock Woods Saturday April 27
Rain got to us after little more than an hour, going from a light drizzle to something more substantial. That, of course, paled in comparison to the fat sloppy snowflakes that started their descent around noon. Just another unremarkable late April snowfall, makes one wonder what's in store for May...

Nature and Arts Festival at Lake Katherine, Saturday April 27
A big thank-you to Maureen Neidle and Dave Branigan for representing us and spreading the restoration gospel at this annual event. Here, too, attendance was affected by weather - the steam rising off the lake was eerily beautiful (see picture below) it was seen by relatively few.

Our thanks also to Gareth Blakesley of Lake Katherine and Jeannine Kacmar of Palos Heights Public Library for welcoming us to the festival.

Swallow Cliff Woods Sunday April 28
Saturday was one of the bleakest days in recorded history; Sunday we awoke to clear skies. By noon most of the snow had melted!

We had a super group of volunteers and many new faces (we love new friends!) at Swallow Cliff. Many came from the Marie Newman for Congress team and all were energetic, clearing a large swath of honeysuckle in the middle of our work area. By quitting time the difference was apparent, with much more sunlight making its way to the ground.

Black Partridge Woods Sunday April 28
This is a late entry; thank you, Cindy, for filling me in on the work at Black Partridge last Sunday. It was the first day of this season dedicated to garlic mustard - most of our workdays in the next few weeks will focus on the fragrant little weed.

Showdown at Sundown Tuesday April 30
Friends of the Chicago River worked with Beam Suntory on a corporate day of service. They called it "Together for Good" and certainly brought a big group together; we had over 80 volunteers at Sundown Meadow. They did a lot of good too, cutting and burning invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle along a trail.

There are logistical challenges in working with so large a group. Fortunately we had ample tools and supplies, great leaders, and a game plan that worked remarkably well.

The key piece, though, is always the spirit and enthusiasm of the people you're working with. This group, like Sunday's at Swallow Cliff, was exemplary. Thanks to Friends of the Chicago River and Beam Suntory for the opportunity and the help!

Paddock/Palos Park Woods South, April 20 2019

4/25/2019

Paddock/Palos Park Woods South, Saturday April 20
We worked with a terrific group of ladies from the Bridgeview community on Saturday, loved their energy and enthusiasm. Thanks to Maryam Salem for putting this group together, we look forward to doing it again.

We stayed close to the parking lot, clearing honeysuckle just east of the parking lot in the direction of 119th Street and the Montessori school. Lots of spring ephemerals showed their faces. After break we took a short walk on the multi-use trail and got to view some local wildlife, which, in this case, included equestrians, runners, and mountain bikers. This trail never lacks users on a sunny spring morning.

Hammocking
The hammock season officially opened at 11:00 a.m. Easter Sunday, when I hung straps from two trees at home and unfurled the new, purple hammock. This is the best time of year to lie on your back and stare up at the sky. The canopy hasn't filled in, the afternoons are cool, and insects aren't yet active.

q. What do you do when people gift you with hammocks though you already have one?

a. Rotate 'em.

Paddock/Palos Park Woods South April 13, 2019

4/18/2019

Paddock/Palos Park Woods South Saturday April 13
This was the site of our restoration work for the day as well as a walking tour of the preserve. Thanks to those who attended the walk, as well as those who helped support it.
Thanks also to the volunteers who cut and burned honeysuckle and burning bush within sight of the parking lot - not often we work that close to our meeting place. We'll be back there Saturday hosting a youth group from Bridgeview, ought to be a fun day.

We were fortunate to find some spring wildflowers, including a number of bloodroots and a sprinkling of spring beauties in bloom. Bet they were not happy with the following day's surprise.

Sunday April 14
You might have noticed our substantial snowfall, which normally brings me great joy. This one was ridiculous. Big wet flakes, blustery winds, and the certainty that all would vanish within a day, rendered this weather event totally useless. Fortunately it didn't seem to have an impact on our native flora which was back in view within a day of the snow melting.

Cap Sauers April 6 & 7, 2019

4/11/2019

Cap Sauers Moraines Saturday April 6
A lovely Saturday morn is the ideal time to chop honeysuckle, multiflora rose, and assorted nuisances. Doug Bosco toted the brushcutter with a vengeance while the rest of us sawed, dragged, and burned. By quitting time we'd cleared the target area, a rise above the trail where contractors did extensive work recently.

Though crazy weather is slowing the process, we are seeing green on the ground and buds on the branches. Just a matter of time...

Cap Sauers Holding Sunday April 7
This day was a huge question mark, with rain forecast throughout. Mostly it stayed away, allowing us to knock down numerous honeysuckles, left to be burned next month. When you defer the brush pile burn it lets you get much more cutting done, so even our small group was able to make an impact. In a good way, of course.

FPCC crews did a prescribed burn on the opposite side of the trail from our work site. It amazes me how much ground they covered in the space of 2-3 weeks.

Willow Springs March 30, McClaughrey Springs March 31, 2019

3/31/2019

Willow Springs Woods Saturday March 30
'Twas a wet and muddy morning as we tromped through Willow Springs Woods. We leapt over the swollen creek - for accuracy's sake, the young'uns leapt while some waded - on our way to the work site.

Once we arrived the honeysuckle, barberry, multi-flora rose and bittersweet had not a chance; we hacked and dragged and burned, clearing a messy area near one of the recently brush-mowed sections. We are diligently working our way toward Old Country Lane to connect with Spears on the other side.

McClaughrey Springs Woods Sunday March 31
This was a make-up tree-thinning day - our February session was canceled by rough weather. We were fortunate to have Chainsaw Bob and Sultan Dennis from T. Stone and Jim from Thatcher joining us for chainsaw duty, along with Steve. Mark and Ryan from Resource Management also brought their saws and helped until starting a prescribed burn later in the morning.

With big fires on a bracingly cold morning it felt more like January than the last day of March. We had a total of five students from Hickory Hills - three scouting brothers Joe, Mike and Bill, plus Jeimar and younger brother Sean. We had numerous other volunteers and no complaints about nothing to do. Thanks also to Alex and Jesus who stayed all the way to 3 pm.

A special shout-out to Chris Schriam, who passed the tests for her State of Illinois herbicide operator and applicator licenses last Friday. Well done!