We had wonderful, enthusiastic help from a group of geocachers brought out to Willow West by Amy Reeter. They quickly got into the spirit of building and feeding the two brush piles we burned.
With Jim and Kevin on chainsaws, Doug on brush cutter, and a dozen others wielding loppers and bowsaws, we were a strong force against the invasive brush.
Focusing on the western edge, near last season's work sites, we extended the previously cleared area another 100 feet north. Many (many!) honeysuckles, a smaller number of buckthorn and smaller trees shading the ravine, were removed to bring more light down to ground level.
This area already was showing promise in the spring; it should do better still thanks to the day's work .
Another in our series of Wednesday play dates (Jan-speak for workdays) at Paddock Woods. This morning was devoted to seed collecting and we garnered a decent amount of seed in our time there.
Thanks to first-timer Charee, to Jackie and Bob, and to Daiva and three crew members of the Friends Forest Preserve Leadership Corps, pictured below. We'll be there again next Wednesday.