Spears Woods Saturday May 1
We had a terrific group - 20 volunteers - on a day when high winds and low humidity forced Joe to deviate from his planned cut-and-burn project. He decided on a weed hunt which worked out very well. Carolyn led us to a spot on the north end, bisected by a small creek, that was rife with butterweed and garlic mustard. Along the way we also were able to view a variety of native plants in various stages of growth.
We also viewed a pair of distressing sights; one couple mushroom hunting and two large piles of sod fly-dumped along Old Country Lane. Joe and three others later moved the sod out of the ditch (to the unfettered delight of an equestrian) and reported the dumping to FPCC.
We were blessed with several first-time Palos volunteers; Eileen, Merissa, Ram, Ivy and Greg. Greg is the fourth member of his family to join us on a restoration day. Three of his children, Piotr, Rafal, and Patty have worked with us over the years, and this was dad's first appearance. Super family!
McClaughrey Springs Sunday May 2
Back to cutting and burning on Sunday, with winds ample to keep the fires going but well within safe limits. We had two chainsaws and two brushcutters running, and eventually two herbiciders as well. We cut and burned a mess o' honeysuckle. Huge thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Phil, and to the entire group, for working so well and getting so much accomplished.
Garlic Mustard
Last week I speculated on the limited appearance of garlic mustard in our area. Well, it's starting to show it's nasty little self now. Not in the numbers of the bad years, but it's still too soon to tell if what we're seeing now is this year's crop or just the beginning.
We had a terrific group - 20 volunteers - on a day when high winds and low humidity forced Joe to deviate from his planned cut-and-burn project. He decided on a weed hunt which worked out very well. Carolyn led us to a spot on the north end, bisected by a small creek, that was rife with butterweed and garlic mustard. Along the way we also were able to view a variety of native plants in various stages of growth.
We also viewed a pair of distressing sights; one couple mushroom hunting and two large piles of sod fly-dumped along Old Country Lane. Joe and three others later moved the sod out of the ditch (to the unfettered delight of an equestrian) and reported the dumping to FPCC.
We were blessed with several first-time Palos volunteers; Eileen, Merissa, Ram, Ivy and Greg. Greg is the fourth member of his family to join us on a restoration day. Three of his children, Piotr, Rafal, and Patty have worked with us over the years, and this was dad's first appearance. Super family!
McClaughrey Springs Sunday May 2
Back to cutting and burning on Sunday, with winds ample to keep the fires going but well within safe limits. We had two chainsaws and two brushcutters running, and eventually two herbiciders as well. We cut and burned a mess o' honeysuckle. Huge thanks to first-time Palos volunteer Phil, and to the entire group, for working so well and getting so much accomplished.
Garlic Mustard
Last week I speculated on the limited appearance of garlic mustard in our area. Well, it's starting to show it's nasty little self now. Not in the numbers of the bad years, but it's still too soon to tell if what we're seeing now is this year's crop or just the beginning.
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