Category: ecology
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Prescribed Burn Crabtree Nature Center 3/2/2026
This blog post captures a prairie burn, emphasizing visibility from the road. It details the fire crew’s actions, including starting backfires, managing the burn, and controlling flames around wetland vegetation. The imagery illustrates the intensity and scale of the fire, highlighting the careful monitoring and extinguishing efforts throughout the process.
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Soil Crust
Draft: I plan to add more images later Bluff Spring Fen Map of Areas Visited 1. Moss growing on small ridge 2. Wider view showing small ridge. The slight increase in elevation helps keep leaves blowing in the wind from depositing. 3. Moss growing on infrequently used trail. People walking keep the trail relatively free…
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Morton Grove Prairie Nature Preserve 2/14/2026
Contents Introduction Map Images from site 1. Sign at entrance 2. Invasive woody species removal 3. Closer view of invasive woody species removal area 4. Overlook 5. View north of overlook 6. View looking west from north side of overlook 7. View looking south from north side of overlook 8. Blue joint grass looking west…
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Busse Woods 1/10/2026 Failure of a Restoration Group
Contents Map Introduction Workday Location 1. Area cleared of common buckthorn ten years ago Sumac Expansion 2. Expanding patch of staghorn sumac 3. Closer view 4. An even closer view 5. Sumac stems scorched by fire Soil 6. Soil profile Hickories Top Killed 7. Hickories that regrew after fire Sedge 8. Carex albursina Map Introduction…
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Palatine Prairie Crown Vetch Control 7/6/2025
Contents Map Images Discussion Map The red line and arrows show the path I took when taking the images below. Images The images below are of locations where Crown Vetch is being controlled at Palatine Prairie. Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) impacted by herbicide over spray. Crown vetch (Securigera varia) hiding in the grass. A bare…
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Citizens for Conservation Spring Ephemeral Hike at Flint Creek Savanna 5/3/2025
Contents Map Seed Garden Trail Through Savanna Map Seed Garden 1. Prairie Violet (Viola pedatifida) and Early Buttercup (Ranunculus fascicularis) 2. Robin’s Fleabane (Erigeron pulchellus) 3. Violet Woodsorrel (Oxalis violacea) Trail Through Savanna 4. Wood Betony (Pedicularis canadensis) 5. Burr Oaks in Flint Creek Savanna 6. Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia) I did not mark this…
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Hosah Workday 6/14/2025
Contents Map Images From Site Crown Vetch Control Area East of the South Side of the Panne Comparison From When Treatment Occurred Versus This Visit Crown Vetch That Missed Being Treated Off-Target Damage Crown Vetch Control Area in the Northeast Corner of Preserve Comparison From When Treatment Occurred Versus This Visit Crown Vetch That Missed…
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Minimizing Damage From Burn Scars
Deer Grove Forest Preserve 4/29/2025 Summary Map Explanation of Images Images From Site Burn Pile Over Snow 3/7/2015 1. Looking North 2. Looking East 3. Looking South 4. Looking West Spring Ephemerals That Emerged Through the Charcoal and Ash 5. Trillium and Erythronium 6. Closer View of Trillium and Charcoal 7. Claytonia virginica 8. Hepatica…
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Orland Grassland 2/3/2025
Websites with information about the preserve are included below. https://www.orlandgrassland.org/ https://volunteer-fpdcc.givepulse.com/event/414052-orland-grassland-stewardship-volunteer-days https://fpdcc.com/places/locations/orland-grassland/ https://dnr.illinois.gov/inpc/lwr-display.orland-grassland%C2%A0.html Summary Map Images From Site 1. Meeting location according to FPCC volunteer website. 2. Sign at Old Farm Road Trail entrance. 3. View beyond cable gate at Old Farm Road Trail entrance. 4. Looking toward Bobolink Hill. 5. Looking up Bobolink Hill…
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Skokie River Nature Preserve 1/25/2025
Descriptions of this preserve can be viewed at the following sites. https://dnr.illinois.gov/inpc/area.area2lakeskokieriver.html Summary Map Images From Site 1. View from parking lot toward bike trail 2. Preserve Entrance 3. Monument Rock 4. Aspen encroaching on prairie that had been controlled by girdling. 5. McLaughlin Meadow 6. Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) and Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) along southern…
Stewardship Chronicles 