Spears Woods Saturday March 17
One week ago were were here on a dry day and our fires were slow to start. This time, we had a 'wintry mix' that didn't stop falling until mid-morning, with an icy glaze on our kindling and everything on the ground damp if not outright soaked. So the fires were even slower to start; we relied heavily on the propane tank and leaf-blower to keep things going.
Having said that, it was a most successful day! We made huge progress in cleaning this area, burned eight? big brush piles, and walked out with it looking so much better than it did walking in. Our sincere thanks to all who participated.
Swallow Cliff Woods South Sunday March 18
Negligible wind meant no brush pile burns, so we dragged brush to the curb for the chipper crew to tend to. Thank you to all the first-time Palos volunteers: June, Phil, Quinn, Gerald, and Barry. I hope we'll see you again.
We worked in a terrible tangle of vines, among them bitter sweet, grape, and multi-flora rose. See the pictures below for a hint. By morning's end we cleared a big chunk of it, and will get more on a future play date.
Black Partridge Woods Sunday March 18
Through a combination of volunteer, FPCC crew, Friends of the Forest Preserves, and contractors, Black Partridge is now rid of all its major thickets of brush. There are still stragglers, but it's the first site for which we can make that statement. John Marlin has been steward for almost 26 years now, so he's been witness to all the change.
We worked near the east border of the preserve and passed a cool ephemeral pond that I hadn't seen before. Looking very good in there.
One week ago were were here on a dry day and our fires were slow to start. This time, we had a 'wintry mix' that didn't stop falling until mid-morning, with an icy glaze on our kindling and everything on the ground damp if not outright soaked. So the fires were even slower to start; we relied heavily on the propane tank and leaf-blower to keep things going.
Having said that, it was a most successful day! We made huge progress in cleaning this area, burned eight? big brush piles, and walked out with it looking so much better than it did walking in. Our sincere thanks to all who participated.
Swallow Cliff Woods South Sunday March 18
Negligible wind meant no brush pile burns, so we dragged brush to the curb for the chipper crew to tend to. Thank you to all the first-time Palos volunteers: June, Phil, Quinn, Gerald, and Barry. I hope we'll see you again.
We worked in a terrible tangle of vines, among them bitter sweet, grape, and multi-flora rose. See the pictures below for a hint. By morning's end we cleared a big chunk of it, and will get more on a future play date.
Black Partridge Woods Sunday March 18
Through a combination of volunteer, FPCC crew, Friends of the Forest Preserves, and contractors, Black Partridge is now rid of all its major thickets of brush. There are still stragglers, but it's the first site for which we can make that statement. John Marlin has been steward for almost 26 years now, so he's been witness to all the change.
We worked near the east border of the preserve and passed a cool ephemeral pond that I hadn't seen before. Looking very good in there.
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