SALT CREEK

CHRONICLES

A Newsletter of the Salt Creek Greenway Association Issue 3, Summer 2010

Salt Creek Greenway - Gateway to Discovery The Value of the Environment

Natural areas, historic sites, cultural Recent severe storms caused attractions, land and water extensive flooding and tree loss in recreational trails, shopping centers, sections of the Greenway. The Oak theatre and gourmet dining beckon visitors to experience one of the Brook area was especially hard hit. richest and most scenic and diverse A microburst estimated at 80-120 open space corridors in Illinois. mph topped hundreds of trees, Located within the densely populated among them many vintage oaks suburbs of western Cook and eastern believed to be over a century old. DuPage Counties, the Salt Creek Greenway trail is designated a priority But the flooding and damage could Greenway in the Northeastern Illinois have been much worse had not the Regional Greenways Plan and extends through 9 communities with a Forest Preserve Districts of Cook and combined population exceeding DuPage Counties acquired flood 300,000 residents and includes: prone lands and open space within the watershed. • 15 forest preserves in two counties Bridge over Salt Creek, Photo by Dave Waycie • 8 local parks and recreational Native ecosystems provide environmental services valued at trillions of dollars. These lands act as facilities in 5 communities sponges. They store floodwaters, filter sediment laden runoff, improve air quality and provide habitat • 5 National Historic Register sites for wildlife and endangered species and recreation for citizens. The roots of native plants hold soil in and other historic attractions place and prevent erosion, and the vegetation sequesters carbon and helps offset the effects of global warming and climate change. • 3 dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves We cannot predict when the next devastating storm will drench our communities, but we can be • The Brookfield Zoo assured that restored wetlands and floodplains, preserved prairies and woodlands and native plants • The historic Fullersburg area will continue to ameliorate those impacts as long as we preserve and protect them.

• Graue Mill and Dam The Salt Creek Greenway, and its 30 miles of recreational land and water trails, provides these • Mayslake/Peabody Estate environmental services and more. Within its boundaries lie some of the rarest natural areas in Illinois along with an array of historic sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places. From • Shopping malls, theaters archeological sites dating back over 8,000 years to present-day cultural and economic centers, the restaurants, employment and economic centers, mass transit Salt Creek Greenway beckons locals and tourists alike to experience the heritage of the past and enjoy services, historic homes, vintage the scenic beauty of the Greenway’s precious open spaces. communities and spacious subdivisions. We invite you to explore these treasurers in your backyard and support the work of the Salt Creek SCGA is tax exempt (501)(c)(3) Greenway Association. organization and all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Valerie Spale SCGA is a member of Chicago Wilderness, Audrey Muschler Partners for Parks and Wildlife and the

Lower DesPlaines Ecosystem Partnership.

the history of Fullersburg is produced by Mike Dutka. Loie was world world was Loie Dutka. Mike by produced is Fullersburg of history the Creek Chronicles. Chronicles. Creek

*A documentary on the life of Loie Fuller, Dancing the Light Fantastic, and and Fantastic, Light the Dancing Fuller, Loie of life the on documentary *A become aware of them on our web site and in future editions of the Salt Salt the of editions future in and site web our on them of aware become

Greenway partners and stakeholders. Our goal is to list events as we we as events list to is goal Our stakeholders. and partners Greenway

routes in the Village proposed by the Riverside Sustainability Council Council Sustainability Riverside the by proposed Village the in routes www.saltcreekgreenwayassociation.org and click on to the web sites of of sites web the to on click and www.saltcreekgreenwayassociation.org

*The Riverside Board of Trustees unanimously approves two new bicycle bicycle new two approves unanimously Trustees of Board Riverside *The For more information about events and happenings in the Greenway, go to to go Greenway, the in happenings and events about information more For

Prairie Prairie sparrow. sparrow.

*A wild turkey is sighted in the Greenway at Fullersburg and Wolf Road Road Wolf and Fullersburg at Greenway the in sighted is turkey wild *A sites for nesting and migratory stopovers such as the Bobolink and Lincoln Lincoln and Bobolink the as such stopovers migratory and nesting for sites

attention to the need to preserve and restore habitat for birds using these these using birds for habitat restore and preserve to need the to attention

Dean Sanctuary donated to the Oak Brook Park District by Dorothy Dean. Dean. Dorothy by District Park Brook Oak the to donated Sanctuary Dean LaGrange stretch of the Salt Creek Greenway. The designation calls calls designation The Greenway. Creek Salt the of stretch LaGrange

*Trout Unlimited holds a fly fishing workshop at the Sam and Dorothy Dorothy and Sam the at workshop fishing fly a holds Unlimited *Trout including the Salt Creek Nature Preserve owned by the FPDCC in the the in FPDCC the by owned Preserve Nature Creek Salt the including

*21 Chicagoland locations are designated Important Bird Areas in Illinois, Illinois, in Areas Bird Important designated are locations Chicagoland *21

in the process of being demolished. demolished. being of process the in now is condition, poor in and 1991

feasible plan for occupancy was finalized, and the structure, vacant since since vacant structure, the and finalized, was occupancy for plan feasible Mayslake Hall, Mayslake/Peabody Estate Forest Preserve Preserve Forest Estate Mayslake/Peabody Hall, Mayslake

considered for use as an Arts Center and for senior housing. But no no But housing. senior for and Center Arts an as use for considered *Forest Preserve District of DuPage County holds open house and art fair at at fair art and house open holds County DuPage of District Preserve *Forest

motorists along Route 83 for many decades. Initially, the Friary was was Friary the Initially, decades. many for 83 Route along motorists

imposing structure visible to to visible structure imposing an presented and Germany Wurzburg, parties for special events events special for parties

part of the referendum of 1992. The Friary was modeled after a castle in in castle a after modeled was Friary The 1992. of referendum the of part spring, summer and fall. The Graue House is available for rental by private private by rental for available is House Graue The fall. and summer spring,

Friary was acquired by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County as as County DuPage of District Preserve Forest the by acquired was Friary *Graue Mill and Museum regularly schedules events and exhibits in the the in exhibits and events schedules regularly Museum and Mill *Graue

hand by Fransiscan Order of the Sacred Heart friars from 1950-1967, the the 1950-1967, from friars Heart Sacred the of Order Fransiscan by hand

*The Friary – Mayslake Forest Preserve, Oak Brook – Built entirely by by entirely Built – Brook Oak Preserve, Forest Mayslake – Friary *The Supt. Steven M. Bylina Bylina M. Steven Supt.

others to emulate our efforts.” efforts.” our emulate to others

*Great Bear Wilderness opens at Brookfield Zoo to rave reviews reviews rave to Zoo Brookfield at opens Wilderness Bear *Great challenge itself to become the most sustainable in the nation and to inspire inspire to and nation the in sustainable most the become to itself challenge

goal of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County to to County Cook of District Preserve Forest the of goal

to build three canoe and kayak launches along Salt Creek Creek Salt along launches kayak and canoe three build to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Sustainability Doctrine. “It is the the is “It Doctrine. Sustainability County Cook of District Preserve Forest the

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County receives state and federal funds funds federal and state receives County DuPage of District Preserve Forest *SCGA contributes, along with other conservation groups, to the creation of of creation the to groups, conservation other with along contributes, *SCGA

Management Policy Policy Management their migration to Mexico which peaks around the middle of September September of middle the around peaks which Mexico to migration their

*SCGA supports Forest Preserve District of Cook County Stormwater Stormwater County Cook of District Preserve Forest supports *SCGA *Watch for the arrival of monarch butterflies at Greenway sites as they begin begin they as sites Greenway at butterflies monarch of arrival the for *Watch

Speakers included Laurie Mazur Mazur Laurie included Speakers the Water Tower Museum along with stories of the women who wore them them wore who women the of stories with along Museum Tower Water the

protection, reproductive health and rights and global justice issues. issues. justice global and rights and health reproductive protection, *The Western Springs Historical Society displays vintage wedding dresses at at dresses wedding vintage displays Society Historical Springs Western *The

among population growth, water supply and demand, environmental environmental demand, and supply water growth, population among

Mayslake Peabody Estate. The conference explored the connections connections the explored conference The Estate. Peabody Mayslake onyfo h ulrbr itrcFudto Foundation Historic Fullersburg the from County

Conference…”Population, Women and Water” held at Mayslake Hall, Hall, Mayslake at held Water” and Women Conference…”Population, location along Salt Creek as a gift to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage DuPage of District Preserve Forest the to gift a as Creek Salt along location

DuPage Forest Preserve District to present A Sustainability Sustainability A present to District Preserve Forest DuPage *A commemorative sign is installed at the old Mammoth Springs Ice House House Ice Springs Mammoth old the at installed is sign commemorative *A

*SCGA partners with the Sierra Club, the Izaak Walton League and the the and League Walton Izaak the Club, Sierra the with partners *SCGA

Forest Preserve District of DuPage Co. Co. DuPage of District Preserve Forest

invasive brush (See feature article) article) feature (See brush invasive historic Benjamin Fuller Farmhouse owned by the the by owned Farmhouse Fuller Benjamin historic

workdays are held. Exelon employees donate a service day clearing clearing day service a donate employees Exelon held. are workdays structural report and feasibility use study as the next phase in restoring the the restoring in phase next the as study use feasibility and report structural

*Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve, Westchester – Restoration blitz blitz Restoration – Westchester Preserve, Nature Prairie Road *Wolf *Fullersburg Historic Foundation retains Terence Russell, STV, to develop a a develop to STV, Russell, Terence retains Foundation Historic *Fullersburg

Greenways and Trail Plan which includes the Salt Creek Greenway Greenway Creek Salt the includes which Plan Trail and Greenways Old Fullersburg buildings in Oak Brook, on its Victory Tour Tour Victory its on Brook, Oak in buildings Fullersburg Old

2009 Map and Summary Update of theNortheastern Illinois Regional Regional Illinois theNortheastern of Update Summary and Map 2009 *The Stanley Cup stops at the historic York Tavern, one of the five original original five the of one Tavern, York historic the at stops Cup Stanley *The

*The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) publishes the the publishes (CMAP) Planning for Agency Metropolitan Chicago *The

Station, listed in the National Register of Historic Places Places Historic of Register National the in listed Station,

plus to protect area preserves from poaching and other illegal activities. activities. illegal other and poaching from preserves area protect to plus stationmaster’s quarters on the second floor of the historic Grosdale Train Train Grosdale historic the of floor second the on quarters stationmaster’s

grounds to native ecosystem function. FPDCC police presence is a big big a is presence police FPDCC function. ecosystem native to grounds *The Brookfield Historical Society is working on new exhibits, including the the including exhibits, new on working is Society Historical Brookfield *The

for the structure. Plans are in the works for restoring the remainder of the the of remainder the restoring for works the in are Plans structure. the for

Police Dept. Headquarters by Supt. Steve Bylina on the original footprint footprint original the on Bylina Steve Supt. by Headquarters Dept. Police center in the nation nation the in center

Road Prairie, is saved from demolition and adapted for use as the FPDCC FPDCC the as use for adapted and demolition from saved is Prairie, Road Endangered Places by Landmarks Illinois as the first suburban shopping shopping suburban first the as Illinois Landmarks by Places Endangered

*The architecturally unique residence at 1 Aloha Lane, buffer to Wolf Wolf to buffer Lane, Aloha 1 at residence unique architecturally *The the interior for retail space. The Arcade was listed as one of the Ten Most Most Ten the of one as listed was Arcade The space. retail for interior the

new owner who plans to restore the exterior to its 1871 origins and adapt adapt and origins 1871 its to exterior the restore to plans who owner new

member of SCGA, to reclaim vital habitat areas at the nature preserve. preserve. nature the at areas habitat vital reclaim to SCGA, of member *The threatened Arcade Building in Riverside has a new lease on life and a a and life on lease new a has Riverside in Building Arcade threatened *The

FPDCC and INPC staff, assisted by Ja by assisted staff, INPC and FPDCC ck Pizzo, Pizzo & Associates, Ltd and and Ltd Associates, & Pizzo Pizzo, ck

visits Blitz restoration site to learn about the collaborative efforts of IDNR, IDNR, of efforts collaborative the about learn to site restoration Blitz visits famous person person famous

Resources, tours Wolf Road Prairie and Hickory Lane bufferlands and and bufferlands Lane Hickory and Prairie Road Wolf tours Resources, and flowing costumes. A niece of Benjamin Fuller, Loie is Fullersburg’s most most Fullersburg’s is Loie Fuller, Benjamin of niece A costumes. flowing and

*John Rogner, Assistant Director, Illinois Department of Natural Natural of Department Illinois Director, Assistant Rogner, *John renowned for her creative dance performances, innovative stage lightning lightning stage innovative performances, dance creative her for renowned HAPPENINGS IN THE GREENWAY GREENWAY THE IN HAPPENINGS

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WOLF ROAD PRAIRIE – and Wolf Road Prairie was one of the best,” Roland said. He felt it was very important to preserve prairie land before it was too late. Following A SALT CREEK GREENWAY TREASURE Cap Sauers death, discussions continued with Supt. Arthur Janura. Roland was quite possibly the first advocate for preserving Wolf Road Prairie when only a handful of botanists knew of its existence.

A total of 600 lots were platted in the prairie land by Samuel Insull in the l920’s. A grid- work of streets, alleys and sidewalks checker boarded the site and blocks were laid out to replicate a city-style neighborhood. Although the streets and alleys were never paved, sidewalks were installed. They serve now as prairie trails and fire breaks during prescribed burns. One or two relic lampposts still exist at the site, overgrown with native vegetation. They are vivid reminders of the real estate boom which nearly destroyed the prairie almost a century ago. But the Great Depression of 1929 spared Wolf Road Prairie. When development threats surfaced again forty-five years later in the mid- 1970’s, efforts to preserve the prairie against what seemed to be insurmountable odds began in earnest. Sunrise over Wolf Road Prairie, Photo by Jerry Kumery Wolf Road Prairie was acquired lot by lot and block by block by the IDNR The Salt Creek Greenway Association (SCGA) has identified the 80 and FPDCC. This acquisition spanned a period from 1980 to the early acre Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve and 43 acre Hickory Lane 1990’s with the IDNR and FPDCC working as partners to preserve the bufferlands restoration as a priority project in the Greenway. site. Acquisition of bufferland followed in phases as funding and grant opportunities became available. Today, Wolf Road Prairie is a dedicated Co-owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Illinois Nature Preserve and a nominated National Natural Landmark. the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC), Wolf Road Prairie The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) oversees protection and is located between 31st Street and Constitution Drive west of Wolf management of the preserve and the National Park Service oversees the Road in Westchester, IL approximately 14 miles west of the Chicago nomination process. Loop. The Hickory Lane bufferlands are located immediately to the west and upstream of the preserve. Wolf Road Prairie, whose origins date to the back to the retreat of the last Ice Age some 12,000 to 15,000 years ago, is recognized as one of Wolf Road Prairie is a popular destination for photographers, artists, the largest and finest quality black soil prairies east of the Mississippi writers, teachers, student and civic groups, natural resources River. The black soil savanna at Wolf Road Prairie is considered globally professionals, foreign visitors, birders, nature lovers, scientists and critically imperiled according to the Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity families sharing an outdoor experience with their children. Recovery Plan. A wetland centrally located within the heart of the preserve adds diversity and wildlife habitat. Over 370 species of native SCGA is working with landowners and stakeholders at Wolf Road plants are known to the site and the list is growing. More than 140 Prairie in support of additional bufferland acquisition, ecological species of birds have been documented either using the preserve for restoration of the prairie, savanna and wetland ecosystems and the migratory stopovers or for habitat and nesting needs. development of professional educational programs at the preserve to provide for the conservation needs of people and wildlife for today and The roster of those who were involved in saving Wolf Road Prairie over for the future. the decades numbers into the many hundreds. Illinois Governors, FPDCC Presidents, bi-partisan elected officials, natural resource professionals, conservation organizations, citizens and volunteers all rallied to rescue the site. Wolf Road Prairie is protected today to be SAVING WOLF ROAD PRAIRIE treasured and enjoyed because of those who stepped forward and cared enough to get involved all those many years ago. The rarity and diversity of this original 80 acre prairie remnant was “discovered” more than a half century ago dating back to the l960’s For more information about Wolf Road Prairie, go to when Roland Eisenbeis was Superintendent of Conservation at the www.saltcreekgreenwayassociation.org and click on to the various Wolf Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC). At the time, Cap Road Prairie links available on the site. Or contact us at Sauers was General Superintendent. Discussions were initiated by [email protected] for volunteer opportunities or tours. Roland with Cap Sauers recommending that the FPDCC acquire the land and save the prairie. “There were very few prairies still around

Bobcat Stacking Brush, Photo by Dave Waycie Waycie Dave by Photo Brush, Stacking Bobcat

prevent noxious buckthorn clumps from resprouting in the spring. spring. the in resprouting from clumps buckthorn noxious prevent

prairie and wetland areas. Herbicide applications are necessary to to necessary are applications Herbicide areas. wetland and prairie

herbiciding thousands of shredded buckthorn stems in the newly mowed mowed newly the in stems buckthorn shredded of thousands herbiciding

members assisted staff from IDNR, INPC and FPDCC in painstakingly painstakingly in FPDCC and INPC IDNR, from staff assisted members

one day. From February 16th to February 19th, Pizzo and Associates crew crew Associates and Pizzo 19th, February to 16th February From day. one

consisting of chewing teeth cleared five acres of woody invasive species in in species invasive woody of acres five cleared teeth chewing of consisting

ground with little impact. This tracked vehicle with a front end attachment attachment end front a with vehicle tracked This impact. little with ground

Associates provided a Caterpillar brush mower designed to traverse the the traverse to designed mower brush Caterpillar a provided Associates

wetland in the northern half of Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve. Pizzo & & Pizzo Preserve. Nature Prairie Road Wolf of half northern the in wetland

threatening to shade prairie plants out of existence just south of the the of south just existence of out plants prairie shade to threatening

The effort on February 16th focused on eliminating woody brush brush woody eliminating on focused 16th February on effort The

designed to pick up and move massive amounts of cut brush. brush. cut of amounts massive move and up pick to designed

FEBRUARY BLITZ DAYS DAYS BLITZ FEBRUARY provided by IDNR was attached to a bobcat. These machines are are machines These bobcat. a to attached was IDNR by provided

inch) on the ground and minimize impact to the soil. A grappler head head grappler A soil. the to impact minimize and ground the on inch)

were provided by the FPDCC. They exert very low psi (pounds per square square per (pounds psi low very exert They FPDCC. the by provided were

brush and non-native trees. Two bobcats on track mounted vehicles vehicles mounted track on bobcats Two trees. non-native and brush

FPDCC/IDNR Staff, Photo by Dave Waycie Waycie Dave by Photo Staff, FPDCC/IDNR

to begin the rigorous task of clearing a section of bufferland of invasive invasive of bufferland of section a clearing of task rigorous the begin to

Hickory Lane buffer areas at the edge of the Wolf Road Prairie wetland wetland Prairie Road Wolf the of edge the at areas buffer Lane Hickory

During this two-day effort, the teams gathered at the #9 and #11 #11 and #9 the at gathered teams the effort, two-day this During

activity of the year at Wolf Road Prairie on January 4th and January 5th. 5th. January and 4th January on Prairie Road Wolf at year the of activity

team with the FPDCC conducted the first scheduled management management scheduled first the conducted FPDCC the with team

the IDNR and INPC SWAT team and the Natural Resource Management Management Resource Natural the and team SWAT INPC and IDNR the

Braving some of the coldest temperatures of the season, members of of members season, the of temperatures coldest the of some Braving

JANUARY BLITZ DAYS DAYS BLITZ JANUARY

equipment without compacting sensitive roots beneath the snow. snow. the beneath roots sensitive compacting without equipment

while the ground was frozen and able to support the weight of restoration restoration of weight the support to able and frozen was ground the while

Representative, INPC, wanted to do some preparatory work at the site site the at work preparatory some do to wanted INPC, Representative,

five day workday took place, Steve Byers, Northeastern Illinois Illinois Northeastern Byers, Steve place, took workday day five

McCabe, John Yapelli, Mary Rojek, Dara Leitza and Brenda Occhiuzzo. Occhiuzzo. Brenda and Leitza Dara Rojek, Mary Yapelli, John McCabe,

blitz extending from February 16th through February 20th. But before the the before But 20th. February through 16th February from extending blitz

Kirk, Bryan Eubanks, Dwayne Ambroz and FPDCC team members John John members team FPDCC and Ambroz Dwayne Eubanks, Bryan Kirk,

Jack’s plan for a one day workday turned out to be a five day restoration restoration day five a be to out turned workday day one a for plan Jack’s

SWAT team members included Steve Byers, Kim Roman, Brad Semel, Dan Dan Semel, Brad Roman, Kim Byers, Steve included members team SWAT

landowners, stakeholders and the private sector,” Jack said. said. Jack sector,” private the and stakeholders landowners,

began “showing up” on their own in the newly restored ground. ground. restored newly the in own their on up” “showing began

time to take a new approach to management at the preserve involving involving preserve the at management to approach new a take to time

As the 2010 growing season got underway, the first hardy wetland plants plants wetland hardy first the underway, got season growing 2010 the As

taking over the grassland and turning it into a forest of brush. It was was It brush. of forest a into it turning and grassland the over taking

became alarmed that in the past few years buckthorn thickets were were thickets buckthorn years few past the in that alarmed became

to increased light conditions following the clearing. clearing. the following conditions light increased to

“I have been coming to Wolf Road Prairie for nearly two decades, and I I and decades, two nearly for Prairie Road Wolf to coming been have “I

native seed still viable in the soil after many decades is likely to respond respond to likely is decades many after soil the in viable still seed native

Because much of the area targeted for this restoration phase is wetland, wetland, is phase restoration this for targeted area the of much Because

workday at Wolf Road Prairie. Prairie. Road Wolf at workday

with buckthorn and wanted to donate equipment and manpower for a a for manpower and equipment donate to wanted and buckthorn with

seen looking eastward from the buffer site. site. buffer the from eastward looking seen

Road Prairie. He was disturbed to see acres of the preserve overgrown overgrown preserve the of acres see to disturbed was He Prairie. Road

Lane buffer were revealed. Expansive vistas of the prairie could now be be now could prairie the of vistas Expansive revealed. were buffer Lane

Preserves Commission (INPC) regarding ecological conditions at Wolf Wolf at conditions ecological regarding (INPC) Commission Preserves

prairie opened. Hydrologic connections between the wetland and Hickory Hickory and wetland the between connections Hydrologic opened. prairie

Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) and the Illinois Nature Nature Illinois the and (FPDCC) County Cook of District Preserve

As trees came down and branches were moved to brush piles, views of the the of views piles, brush to moved were branches and down came trees As

from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Forest Forest (IDNR), Resources Natural of Department Illinois the from

Creek Greenway Association board member, contacted representatives representatives contacted member, board Association Greenway Creek

the IDNR and FPDCC and needed to be cleared. cleared. be to needed and FPDCC and IDNR the

At the beginning of the year, Jack Pizz Jack year, the of beginning the At o, Pizzo & Associates Ltd. and Salt Salt and Ltd. Associates & Pizzo o,

heavily overgrown with invasive brush at the time the land was acquired by by acquired was land the time the at brush invasive with overgrown heavily

areas along the east and north end of Hickory Lane buffer. This area was was area This buffer. Lane Hickory of end north and east the along areas

WOLF ROAD PRAIRIE PRAIRIE ROAD WOLF

between the wetland in Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve and the wet wet the and Preserve Nature Prairie Road Wolf in wetland the between

The focus of this management project was to “open up” a connection connection a up” “open to was project management this of focus The

RESTORATION BLITZ DAYS AT AT DAYS BLITZ RESTORATION

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EXELON VOLUNTEERS AT WOLF ROAD PRAIRIE

About 30 Exelon and ComEd employees and their families returned to

Wolf Road Prairie on May 21st for their fourth spring workday at the

preserve. Led by Steve Byers, Northeastern Illinois Representative, Illinois

Nature Preserves Commission (INPC), and Jack Pizzo, Pizzo & Associates,

Ltd. and SCGA board member, the volunteers were eager to get some

serious prairieland buffer restoration work done. The task of the afternoon

was to fine tune clearing of the ground opened by the January and

February Blitz days.

Buckthorn clones were cut and hauled. Invasive Garlic mustard and

Dame’s rocket plants were pulled. Native seed was scattered over the

open ground. And heavy logs were moved to brush piles.

“We look forward to contributing volunteer service hours at Wolf Road

FPDCC/IDNR Staff, Photo by Dave Waycie Prairie,” said Courtney Erickson from ComEd Revenue Accounting and

organizer of the Exelon/ComEd work team. “We always have a great time

and look forward to returning.” On February 20th, crews shifted their focus from the prairie to the

Hickory Lane buffer area tackling stands of brush and non-native trees Although sporadic showers rained down from time to time, no one seemed still standing after the January workdays. Invasive woody species to mind getting a little wet or dirty. Competition broke out to see who deprive native wetland and prairie plants of water and light needed for could haul the most brush or the heaviest logs. survival and alter the natural hydrological dynamic required for healthy native ecosystems. Restoration restores balance and biodiversity to As the work day drew to a close, volunteers posed for a group photo to natural areas. capture their visit to Wolf Road Prairie. And then it was time to return to the

corporate world. But for a few hours, the ancient ways of nature prevailed and By the end of the Saturday workday, after hours of back breaking work, everyone left with a great sense of satisfaction for a job well done. the targeted restoration site between the buffer and the Wolf Road Prairie wetland was devoid of brush. Acres of previously degraded land were converted to habitat recovery for native plants, insects, birds and animals. The blockage of brush and invasive trees, so long an impediment to natural processes, was gone and the land was open to light and the movement of the wind.

This restoration blitz was a textbook example of a successful restoration effort organized by Steve Byers, INPC and John McCabe, FPDCC with landowners and supporters to reclaim degraded portions of Wolf Road Prairie and bufferland along Hickory Lane.

Steve Byers, INPC “Concern for the long-term viability of Wolf Road Prairie and the Exelon Employees Seeding the Prairie concerns raised by Jack are being addressed as a team effort,” said Steve Byers. “Far more work was accomplished during the Blitz workdays than either team could have done on their own. All these efforts, including plans for a prescribed burn at the preserve, bode well for the prairie and for the long-term restoration of the bufferlands along Hickory Lane. It will be rewarding to revisit these sites in the months ahead and witness the healing process.”

Participating in the February Blitz were Dan Kirk and Bryan Eubanks, Jack Pizzo, IDNR, Kim Roman and Steven Byers, INPC, and John McCabe, Bryan Pizzo & Associates Doerr and Brenda Occhiuzzo, FPDCC. Staff with Pizzo & Associates, and SCGA Exelon Group Photo Ltd. included Jack Pizzo, Nick Fuller, Nick Zaluzec and Mike Bradtke. Above Photos By Dave Waycie

Phone: 708-865-8736 / 630-833-8154 630-833-8154 / 708-865-8736 Phone:

Hofmann Tower in Lyons, Photo by Dave Waycie Waycie Dave by Photo Lyons, in Tower Hofmann

www.saltcreekgreenwayassociation.org www.saltcreekgreenwayassociation.org

Salt Creek, Photo by Dave Waycie Waycie Dave by Photo Creek, Salt

Photo by Elk Grove Park District District Park Grove Elk by Photo

Farmhouse and Schoolhouse, Schoolhouse, and Farmhouse

Schuett-Biermann Schuett-Biermann

Photo by DuPage Graue Mill Corp. Corp. Mill Graue DuPage by Photo

Graue Mill and Dam, Dam, and Mill Graue

Photo by Gary Mechanic Mechanic Gary by Photo

Riverside Tower and Well House, House, Well and Tower Riverside

llinois Department of Natural Resources Resources Natural of Department llinois I Kirk, Dan by Photo Prairie, Road Wolf

Photo by Dave Waycie Waycie Dave by Photo Ben Fuller Farmhouse, Farmhouse, Fuller Ben

Places to See… See… to Places

6 7 …Things to Do

Mayslake Hall, Peabody Estate, Photo by Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Heron, Photo by Jack Pizzo, Pizzo & Associates, Ltd.

Roosevelt Fountain at Brookfield Zoo, Photo by Jim Schultz, Chicago Zoological Society

Historic Chicago Portage Site, Photo by Mark McLean, Friends of the Chicago Portage

Salt Creek Bicycle Trail, Photo by Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Grossdale Station in Brookfield, Photo by Dave Waycie

Canoeing on Salt Creek, Photo by Laura Barghusen

www.saltcreekgreenwayassociation.org The York Tavern, Photo by Dave Waycie Phone: 708-865-8736 / 630-833-8154

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SALT CREEK Coming Soon! GREENWAY TRAIL Grand Opening of the Salt Creek Trail System Miles Greenway Trail – September 25th Salt Creek Greenway Trail 30 After many years of planning, obtaining funding, engineering and trail construction, Illinois Prairie Path 66 the Salt Creek Greenway Trail will celebrate its official Grand Opening on September Fox River Trail 50 25th in conjunction with National Public Lands Day. Ribbon cutting and special events are being planned throughout the Greenway to commemorate the event. Great Western Trail 12 Centennial Trail 20 DesPlaines River Trail beginning

at the Wisconsin State Line

THE SALT CREEK GREENWAY and its spheres of influence contain remnants of the original landscapes of pre-settlement northeastern Illinois and the history and traditions of its people

• Ancient oak groves, savannas and prairie vistas… • Archaeological sites dating back to 8,000 B.C…. • More recent Native American influences… • Early settlement communities… • Pioneer cemeteries… • Impressive architectural structures listed in The National Register of Historic Places… • Historic Homes and Museums… • Recreational land and water trails… • Vital reminders of our region’s fascinating past which co-exist with modern-day communities and economic corridors We’re on the Web! www.saltcreekgreenwayassociation.org Phone: 708-865-8736 / 630-833-8154

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