Workday Reminders and Other Great Stuff at Orland Grassland

 

July 17, 2007

Friends of the Grassland:

 
Inside this message find~
 
Workday Reports
Sad News
Great Results are Showing From Volunteer Work
FPDCC Crews Are At It Again!
Orland Volunteers At the Taste of Orland
Tune In to WTTW's "Chicago Tonight"
 
Workday Reports
Volunteers have a field day every second and fourth Saturday of every month!  Join us or get a group together and join us, at 9:00 a.m. at the 167th parking lot just 1/4 block west of
La Grange Road.  RSVP if you think you can come so we have enough tools, but drop in if you can.
 
'Tis the season for invasive control for those over-achiever species like white sweet clover, tall goldenrod and teasel.  Left unmanaged, they will overcome everything in their path.  This past Saturday volunteers were out scything white sweet clover.  The good news is, we didn't have enough scythes for everyone!  (Don't worry, thanks to the generosity of the Volunteer Stewardship Network, the volunteer support initiative sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, Illinois Chapter, we're getting more).  According to one of our newer volunteers, "Hey, if you swing this just right, it kind of sings!".  Yes, indeed. 
 
The Wednesday group has been on hiatus this month.  They usually meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month.  We'll let you know when they start up again.  Their forte: teasel.  And it shows.  It seems like it's endless, but those who have been stopping by the Grassland over the years say there's been an incredible difference.  (Thank you Dave Carson, for a persistence that surpasses even that of teasel!)
 
Sad News
Joe Stanton, age 96, has passed away.  You no doubt have seen Joe at all of our events, and Wednesday workdays.  He was our great friend, and an even greater friend to the living things that are a part of our native habitat.  He worked 'til the end, filling his life, and ours, at workdays and outreach events.  We are saddened to lose him, his generosity in sharing his knowledge, his humor, his passion for restoring and contributing to returning native life to the many grasslands and woodlands in our area.   We are comforted to know that this once-in-a-lifetime kind of guy, walked with us.
 
Great Results Are Showing From Volunteer Work
A recent site walk resulted in some interesting observations.  Of course, we took a look at what condition our condition is in, and began compiling a new and improved to-do list.  One important observation, though:  At the sites where clearing work has been done over recent years by volunteers, Great Egret Savanna, Bluebird Savanna-The Scrape-The Watering Hole triangle, where The Grand Prairie western edge meets The Phoenix...yellow breasted chats and orchard orioles.  At The Scrape, pale purple coneflower, little bluestem, flowering spurge, wood betony, blazing star... and no white sweet clover, tall goldenrod or teasel.  We could count on one hand the number of dead teasel stalks we found north of 175th Street.  Dickcissels, eastern meadowlarks, field sparrows and bobolinks kept an eye on us as we made our way around.  Hmmm...coincidence?  Or...restoration work that's working!!!
 
FPDCC Crews Are At It Again!
The Forest Preserve Distrist of Cook County, Tinley Resource Management crew is at it again!  They are getting at the bigger job, the one that needs equipment like gators and timber axes and brush hogs.  Some work can be done by volunteers, but most takes a much bigger effort.  They're out there taking on the reed canary grass, white sweet clover and tall goldenrod, too.  We couldn't keep the restoration effort afloat without them, and appreciate the great work they do for Orland Grassland.  John Mc, Tim, John P, Mark...Thanks!
 
Orland Volunteers at The Taste of Orland
We'll be at our booth at The Taste of Orland on August 3, 4 and 5th.  Stop by!  There will be a chance to talk with the Volunteers, learn about the new bird watching group that's starting up in September, learn about the youth outreach project that uses the "Chicago Wilderness Fieldbook, A Passport to Discovering Nature's Hidden Treasures", participate in a bird id contest for kids and families, and see and hear the sights and sounds of our grassland birds. 
 
Tune in to WTTW's Chicago Tonight
Tune in to WTTW's "Chicago Tonight", this evening, Monday, at 7:00 p.m. on Channel 11.  Tonight's show features discussion on the success of restoration work in increasing bird populations. 
 
See you at the Grassland,
 
Pat Hayes
Orland Grassland Volunteer Steward, FPDCC 

 

 

June 2, 2007

Friends of Orland Grassland,
 
Orland Grassland Grand Birding Event results are in!..see www.orlandgrassland.org for results and comparisons to prior years.
 
Kudos to Suzanne Koglin~
"Bravo!"
"Best organized bird count I've been to"
"Come to my site to set up such a count any time!"
 
Hearty congratulations to Suzanne for her great efforts and talents at organizing this event for the third year in a row.   She's truly one of the treasures of Orland Grassland.  Congratulations to all the Orland Grassland Volunteers who contributed to the success of the day.
 
Highlights~
Total Counted:  2,014
Bobolinks:  Up from 87 last year to 115 this year
Eastern Meadowlark:  Up from 23 last year to 35 this year
Henslow's Sparrow:  Up from 16 last year to 35 this year
Dicksissel:  Up from 0 last year (although they were sighted later) to 37 this year
Eastern Phoebe:  Up from 4 last year to 12 this year
Great Crest Flycatcher:  Up from 5 last year to 10 this year
Willow Flycatcher:  Up from 0 last year to 24 this year
 
First time counts at OGGBE:  White-eyed Vireo, Cape May Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Kestrel, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Spotted Sandpiper, Herring Gull, Forster's Gull, Black-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Hairy Woodpecker, American Tree Sparrow
 
Ouch~
Sora:  Down from 3 last year to 0 this year
Cooper's Hawk:  Down from 7 last year to 0 this year
Killdeer:  Down from 10 last year to 0 this year
Least Flycatcher:  Down from 7 last year to 1 this year
Marsh Wren:  Down from 7 last year to 2 this year
Eastern Bluebird:  Steadily declining from 27 in 2005 to 17 in 2006 to 10 in 2005
Yellow Warbler:  Down from 38 last year to 19 this year
American Goldfinch:  Down from 117 last year to 76 this year
 
See you at the Grassland...bring binoculars!
 
Pat Hayes
Orland Grassland Volunteer Steward, FPDCC
 

 

April 30, 2007

Friends of Orland Grassland...
 
Inside this message find:
 
Workday Reminders-Mother/Daughter Workday?
Earth Day-Great Success-See www.orlandgrassland.org
What's Happening at the Grassland 
Next Up:  OGGBE - May 26th
Then:  Welcome Back Bobolinks - June 2
Welcome to Newcomers
Speaking of Newsletters..What do you think?
New Side of "Echoes"
 
Workday Reminders
May 12th is the day before Mother's Day and the second Saturday of the month.  How about a Mother/Child workday?  How about spending a little quality time in nature with your mom, enjoying all the sounds of spring birds settling in and claiming their territories, the spirit of working together, and the joy of knowing you're doing some great nurturing for the vibrant good health of Orland Grassland.
 
We'll provide the tools.  We're still in our brush cutting mode, although we have to be very careful about nesting birds.  Pat will bring her famous Hayes special strawberry fruit salad with lots of whip cream for a treat.  We just need helping hearts and hands.  Dress for hiking in natural terrain. 
 
RSVP so we will have enough tools.  Feel free to drop in though.  We always bring extra.  Meet at the parking lot at 167th Street at 9:00 a.m.  We work from 9-12 (and longer if anyone wants to stay with Pat and Bill.  They never want to leave.)
 
Reminder:  This may also be your last chance to get community service hours before school's out!  Win/win.
 
The second and fourth Wednesday of each month is also a field workday.  That group is a wild bunch.  On the loose and carefree.  Call Suzanne at 708-349-4913 to find out what they're up to.  They meet at 8:30, but who knows where.
 
Earth Day-A Great Success-See www.orlandgrassland.org for pictures.
Earth Day was a great success and Orland Grassland is sparkling clean!  Bags and bags of trash were collected by teams of families, neighborhood friends and students.  Brush clearing was going on in the interior and students and adults alike enjoyed seeing the fruits of their labors...where the prairie was glutted with honeysuckle and buckthorn, the gentle slope of an open hillside appeared.  Great work by all.  113 people joined volunteers.  Their was hard work, good treats and free t-shirts.  Life is good at Orland Grassland.
 
A very special thank you goes to:
 
Jim Wagner at The Forest Preserve District of Cook County for supplying the t-shirts and extra supplies.
 
Quizno's and The Great American Bagel for supplying the wonderful refreshments and food coupons.
 
Kathy Hamilton and Jim Reichel for organizing the event.  And Kathy, where would we be without your students?  They are great...and so are you!
 
What's Happening at the Grassland?
The FPDCC was able to get a small portion burned with a controlled burn. It's been so rainy that they just couldn't get it all.  Good for the wildflowers, not good for the burn season.  We did get some burned though, and thanks to them for the great effort in getting in what they could.  Next focus for them:  Reed Canary Grass.
 
The wood betony is up and flowering, along with pussy toes and violets.  Pale purple coneflower is showing its early leaves.  A pheasant was seen, and, was that an immature northern harrier having lunch near Kwadekik Saturday?  Red-winged blackbirds are flashing their vibrant red winged color and field sparrows are definitely the predominant singers, well, along with the chorus frogs.  Ducks are floating where I've never seen them float before!
 
Oh, yeah, and Dave Carson is out attacking teasel rosettes.  Did you hear he got a new puppy?  They call her Rosie, short for "Rosette". 
 
Next Up, OGGBE - May 26th
If you are a birder, or would like to get better at it, join Suzanne on May 26th for our annual volunteer bird count at the Grassland.  This count it just for us.  We follow the rules as best we can, section off the Grassland into quadrants so everybody gets a small piece, and then start counting.  A newbie teams with a veteran.  If they're not familiar with Orland Grassland, and want a scout a/k/a scribe, an experienced volunteer field guide will go along to point the way. It's a great day.  Last year over a hundred species were counted.  See our website at www.orlandgrassland.org for more information.
 
Then..Welcome Back Bobolinks on June 2.
This is our free community bird walk and tour event.  Actually, there's more than that.  There are exhibits, children's activities, treats and discussion.  Experts will lead groups out for bird hikes. (I swear they have eyes behind their heads, they're amazing.)  Experienced volunteers will also lead hikes around the site.  It's beautiful.  If you haven't been inside, you just have no idea.  Join us. 
 
Welcome to our Newcomers:
 
These people signed in on Earth Day to receive our e-news or newsletter, or both!  Welcome Erica, mark, Eileen, Mike-Mary Ellen-James and Patrick, Jerry, Doug, Rich, Tom and Walter.  They heard from us from school, our signs, scouts and the FPD.  We'll be looking for you at the Grassland!  Welcome!
 
Speaking of Newsletters..What do You Think?
Funding our newsletter is becoming a challenge and we're taking stock. 
Do you prefer just enews ("Workday Reminders and Other Good Stuff")?
Do you prefer just newsletter?
Do you like both?
Would you be willing to pay a few bucks each year to cover printing and postage for the newsletter?
Would you be willing to sponsor the newsletter?  A portion of it?
How can we make the newsletter better?
What do you think?
 
New Side of "Echoes"
There's a new side to "Echoes", the part of the newsletter that people share with us what they've seen out at Orland Grassland.  Just tell Suzanne.  Her email address is skoglin@comcast.net. 
 
But, now there's a new side. She also wants to hear about what you see at home or out and about that is native.  Birds that aren't robins, bluejays and cardinals.  Whatever.  Nature is everywhere..not just at Orland Grassland. 
 
See you at Orland Grassland,
 
Pat Hayes
Volunteer Steward
 

April 10, 2007

Friends of Orland Grassland:

 
Inside this Message Find~
 
Workday Reminders
Important Dates- Earth Day (4-22), OGGBE (5-26), WBB (6-2)
Cub Scout Troop #378 Launches Chicago Wilderness Fieldbook Passport at Orland
Good Bye to Dr. Betz, Mr Prairie
 
Workday Reminders
Saturday, April 14 is a regularly scheduled workday.  Volunteers meet on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month (some time we throw in extra Saturdays just for more fun!).  We meet at the 167th Street parking lot just west of La Grange Road at 9:00.  Most work til noon, most often others stay later.  Dress for the weather, we'll provide the tools.  We're brush clearing.  Last Saturday (one of those extras), two volunteers burned four brush piles filled with honeysuckle, buckthorn and green ash.  This Saturday will be led by Bill Fath.  RSVP if you think you can make it so there's enough tools.  Feel free to drop in, though, we always bring extra.
 
Wednesday is back in the swing of things too, especially now that Dave Carson is back from wintering in Texas.  They meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month.
Call Suzanne at 708-349-4913 to see what they're up to.  I know they've been burning their accumulated brush piles too, and lots of The Phoenix awaits them for clearing.
 
Important Dates-Earth Day (4-22), OGGBE (5-26) and WBB (6-02)
 
Earth Day-4-22-Celebrate Earth Day, Celebrate Community, Celebrate Orland Grassland.  Join in Orland Grassland's  great prairie restoration project on this nationally recognized day that celebrates nature.  Meet at the 167th Street parking lot.  Experienced volunteers will be leading hikes into work sites, or organizing people to give the place a good spring cleaning.  See our flier at www.orlandgrassland.org for more details, or to download and pass around to your friend, neighbors and co-workers.  High school students get community service hours for this work.
 
OGGBE (5-26)-The third annual Orland Grassland Grand Birding Event will be here before you know it, and we need bird monitors to spot birds and volunteers to lead them through the Grassland.  It will be sectioned off into quadrants depending on how many bird monitors we get.  Meet at the 167th parking lot at 7:00 a.m.  Yes, to count birds, you must be up with them!  There will be hot coffee and pastry to get you off and counting.  See www.orlandgrassland.org for more details, or to download our flier.
 
WBB (6-02)-This free community event provides an opportunity for the community to hike the Grassland on a bird walk led by experts and volunteers.  There were over 100 different species last year.  Bring binnoculars!  You'll see more kinds of birds than you thought ever could be there.  There will be treats, exhibits and hikes all morning.  More information will be coming to our website soon.
 
Cub Scout Troop #378 Launches "Chicago Wilderness Fieldbook, A Passport to Nature's Hidden Treasures" Youth Outreach Pilot Program.
It was a misty morning.  Is it possible this troop would show up?  Upon entering the parking lot, there they were!  Ten 8-10 year olds, brothers and sisters, moms and dads, the troop leader and the Cubmaster.  They were rearing to go.  And did they ever.  See www.orlandgrassland.org for some great before, during and after shots of what they accomplished, full of mud and loving evey minute of it.  You'll see by their happy smiles.
 
Importantly, too, they took on the "Chicago Wilderness Fieldbook, A Passport to Nature's Hidden Treasures" as pilot participants in a youth outreach program.  Three different age-appropriate passports have been designed to inspire and prompt children and young adults to observe and interact with nature.  Not curriculum, not pass or fail, no timelines, the passport merely encourages independent thought and journaling or notekeeping of activities done with a mentor/steward.  There are several network stewards and sites in the program and more to come from throughout Cook County and surrounding counties in the Chicago Wilderness Region.  The participants are encouraged to use their passports to travel to them and experience a workday at another site, in another ecosystem, under the mentoring of a different steward.  Their passport will be stamped with a postage stamp sized stamp that is representative of the site they were in.  They can go back to their homesite all the time, or venture out once a year or more often on a field trip to another site if they choose.  They can collect a passport full of the same stamps or collect as many different stamps as they can. 
 
More to come on this, but congratulations to these pioneers, these champions.  They will be seeing nature with new eyes, those of a caregiver and nurterer.  They may be our future stewards.
 
See you at the Grassland..just not this Saturday!  Bill Fath will be looking for you, though!
 
Pat Hayes
Orland Grassland Volunteer Steward
 

 

JANUARY 11, 2007

Friends of Orland Grassland:
 
Inside this message find--
 
Workday Reminders
Volunteer Winter Meeting-January 16, 2007, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Important Dates
 
Workday Reminders
The holiday is over and our New Year's resolution is to work hard restoring and nurturing our precious prairie back to its native diversity, breathe in the beauty of the nature that surrounds us, and have fun with the great people who come out to join us.
 
We're back at it!  Wednesday, January 10 and Saturday, January 13 can't come soon enough.   We are shifting to our brush and tree clearing mode, attacking honeysuckle and buckthorn and saving bur oaks.
 
Saturday volunteers meeting the second and fourth Saturday of each month in the parking lot at 167th Street at 9:00 a.m.  We'll be clearing brush, and burning brush piles at The Scrape and at Bluebird Savanna.  Tools and gloves will be provided.  Please RSVP so we know how many tools to bring, but dropping in is fine too.  We'll also be helping out the Wednesday group burn their brush piles because Dave, their steward, is off galavanting in Texas for a couple months. 
 
We'll need lots of hands on Saturdays.  We'll need you!
 
The Wednesday volunteers meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays at various locations.  Last I heard, their sites are on The Phoenix, but call Suzanne at 708-349-4913 for details. 
 
Volunteer Winter Meeting-January 16, 2007, Tuesday, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Volunteers will meet at the home of Pat Hayes, 13733 Santa Fe Trail, Orland Park, IL.  Call 708-460-8270 if you would like directions.
 
This important meeting will provide maps and planning strategies for the volunteers.  We also need to set our event dates for the upcoming year, and discuss whatever is on the minds of the volunteers.  Join us..get to know us!!  If you haven't been before, now is the time.  Please RSVP.
 
Important Dates
 
January 13, 2007, Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm--Free--Please Register
So What?-Skills for Communicating our Mission
FPDCC presents a communication workshop to provide skills and ideas on how to get a memorable message across in a short time.
FPDCC Resource Center
go to http://www.fpdccvolunteers.org/news or call Cheryl McGarry at 773-631-1790 ext. 10
 
January 24, 2007, Wednesday, 7:00 pm-Free
Orland Park Public Library -"Orland Grassland In Winter"
Orland Grassland in winter is a great place to be.  See the beauty that underlies the leaves, grasses and wildflowers, and find out why a winter hike with volunteers has such great purpose.  Join Pat Hayes, Volunteer Steward, for an update on the largest open grassland restoration project in Cook County.
 
February 10, 2007, Saturday, 8:15 am to 4:00 pm-Free-Registration Required
Herbicide Training and Testing Workshop
Brookfield Zoo
Presented by Volunteer Steward Network, training and testing for certification as an herbicide Operator or Applicator.  Register at 866-876-5463 or ktharp@tnc.org.  Training booklets available for a fee.
 
February 15, 2007,  Thursday, 7 pm to 9 pm--Free--Please Register
Frog Monitors Needed
Chicago Wilderness Winter Workshop
Camp Sagawau, Lemont, IL
go to www.habitat project.org for more info or call 708-839-0696 to register
 
February 22 & 23 or 24 & 25, 2007, Thursday/Friday or Saturday/Sunday,
8:30 am to 4:00 p.m.
Chicago Wilderness Burn Training Workshops--Free--Registration Required
Brookfield Zoo
Call Chris Mulhavey at 847-242-6424
 
March 3, 2007, Saturday, All Day-$25-Registration Required
Wild Things 2007 Conference
Northeastern Illinois University
Wild Things features more than 80 large and small-group sessions drawn from real-life experiences.  Everything from nitty gritty habitat management to advocacy, education, art, culture and backyard ecology.  Pat Hayes, Suzanne Koglin and Dick Riner are presenters, as are many other experts and citizen scientists you may know.
See www.habitatproject.org/WildThings for more info and important registration info.
 
 
More information on all but the Frog Monitor and Wild Things is also available at the FPDCC Volunteer website:  http://www.fpdccvolunteers.org/news
 
Hopes for  peace, joy, serenity and purpose in the upcoming New Year..see you at the Grassland.
 
Pat Hayes
Orland Grassland Volunteer

 

 

 

NOVEMBER 21, 2006
Friends of the Grassland:
 
Inside this message find~
 
Workday Reminders
Oh, The Seeding We Did...See Pictures at www.orlandgrassland.org
The Pot-Pourri Afterwards.  mmm, mmm good
Thanks to all..and a special thanks to Suzanne
Grand Prize "Sink Your Teeth In" Winner!
Some Special Omens to Note
Frog Monitor
 
Workday Reminders
This Saturday, November 25, and Saturday, December 9 and December 30 are regularly scheduled worked days.  We will not meet on December 23.  We did a great job getting in seeds last Saturday, but we still have quite a bit remaining.  This Saturday we will do it again, without the pot luck.  Bring bottled water to carry along.  We'll have everything else.
This counts for student community service hours.  Meet at 9:00 at the 167th Street parking lot.
 
Oh, The Seeding We Did...See Pictures at www.orlandgrassland.org
Seeding season is filled with great activity.  We harvest them, we clean them, we mix them, we set them out into the wonderful Grassland.  See the series of seeding season in pictures at www.orlandgrassland.org. 
 
The Pot-Pourri Afterwards-mmm, mmm good
See pictures at www.orlandgrassland.org.  It's not all about work.  We volunteers know how to eat.  Pat made homemade chicken soup, Jim brought his famous Mexican chili, and there were delicious breads, salads, pies and goodies brought by many others.  We were exhausted, and hungry.  What better place to refresh and enjoy each other's company than around a brush pile burn surrounded by cauldrons of hot soups and chairs of weary but excited volunteers.
 
Thanks To All...And A Special Thanks To Suzanne
Thanks to everyone who came out and made this such an important and special day for Orland Grassland.  Those seeds we cast were vital to the restoration of the Grassland's native habitat.  The food and good spirit shared by all those who stayed afterwards was a special treat, a way of appreciating our common bond. 
 
And Suzanne, thank you for all of your wonderful photos.  They were spectacular.  It wasn't just a matching game, it gave us all a walk through some wonderfully remembered moments.  You are truly an artist.  Oh, yeah, and those cookies.  Who can eat those?  They're beautifully painted.  And delicious.  I ate them in spite of how they looked.  I knew how good they would be!
 
Grand Prize "Sink Your Teeth In" Winner
Each year Pat and Suzanne think up a game for the volunteers.  Last year you'll recall it was the Silver Metal "Work Your Butt Off" award.  The object of the game was to match the butt shots of volunteers, as cropped by our ever-talented Suzanne, to a face.  The prize, a silver metal bucket that contained a smoked pork butt.  This year, it was the "Sink Your Teeth In" award.  Noted for their hard work, volunteers sink their teeth in and get the job done.  The object was to identity a picture of who was eating what and where.  This year's prize, nestled in a denture cup, a set of chattering teeth clenching a picture of a buffalo ...and a $15 gift card to Hackney's for a buffalo burger.
 
It got a little dicey.  We had to disqualify Wannetta.  She got the highest score, but she also snuck in after the bell to look at more of the pictures.  Her dog, Cody, was so upset with her, that he grabbed her answer sheet and tried to run away with it, hide it!  Really Wannetta.  So, who came away with the prize?  Steve Packard!  After Wannetta's 110, he scored 82.  The man knows how to recognize good food when he sees it!
 
Some Special Omens to Note From the Day
First, Stephen calls on his cell phone to let us know his group has flushed up a short-earred owl, twice!  Short-ears had been at the Grassland years ago, but we hadn't seen them lately.  They're back, and were we happy to hear it.  Good omen number one.
 
Then, not only did we see (and hear) several flocks of sandhill cranes flying over as we seeded, when we finally finished for the day, we looked up, and there were more than 300 of them garbling, or whatever that is they do, overhead. Good omen number two.
 
Finally, when I awoke early the next morning and looked outside my window, it had rained during the night.  Aahh, yes, perfect timing for seeding.  Good omen number three.
 
Frog Monitor
An important part of native habitat restoration is monitoring, whether it be birds, wildflowers, insects or ...frogs!  We're looking for frog monitors.  It's a night job, and there's training.  They sing their best songs, or croak their best croaks, at night you know.  If you're interested in doing this at the Grassland (we do need a frog monitor) or at any other site, please reply.  I'll give you details on who to get in touch with.
 
See you at the Grassland,
 
Pat Hayes
Orland Grassland Volunteer

 

 

OCTOBER 10, 2006

Friends of Orland Grassland--

 
Inside This Message Find:
 
Workday Reminders
Group Photo Needed-October 21st at the site at 9:00 a.m.?
Mark These Important Seed Dates:  Nov. 2, Nov. 14 and Nov. 18
Autumn on the Grassland--Great Day!
Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project Clinic
Forest Preserve District's New Website:  www.fpdccvolunteers.org
"Echos" for Next Newsletter
Welcome to New Enews and Newsletter Visitors
Wow..Are We Good!
 
Workday Reminders
Volunteers meet on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, and the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. 
 
Saturday, October 14, is a regularly scheduled workday.  We'll meet at the 167th Street parking lot which is 1/4 block west of La Grange Road at 9:00 a.m.  We've shifted gears to our seed collecting season, and will be roaming our site collecting seed to cast about in sparser areas in November.  We'll provide the tools, you provide the helping hands!  You might want to bring some bottled water with you, and some bug spray.  RSVP if you think you might attend so we have enough tools.  But we always bring extra, so drop in if you can!
 
The Wednesday group is cancelling their workday tomorrow due to projected inclement weather.  If you'd like to help on other second and fourth Wednesdays, call Suzanne at 708-349-4913.  They meet up at various places, so you'll want to check in on their fun plan for the day!
 
Group Photo Needed-Saturday, October 21st at 9:00 a.m
We've been contacted by the Volunteer Stewardship Network (VSN) with a request for a group photo for an upcoming anniversary publication issue they are planning.  The VSN has been very supportive of us in the last couple years, providing money for our event ads, scythes and cut-n-holds.  They have also arranged to pay for one issue of our newsletter next year as we phase out of other funding we've had.  It would be great if we could be supportive of them, as well, and meet this request.  Besides, we don't really have one, and that would be great to have anyway. 
 
Meet at the 167th Street parking lot at 9:00 a.m.- I promise it will be quick and painless.  If you've ever volunteered in any way, you're invited..events, newsletter, fieldwork..outreach.  Students, families, groups, singles..Please come!!  RSVP so I have an idea of how many will be there.  But please don't hesitate to just show up. 
 
Mark These Important Dates:  Nov. 2, Nov. 14 and Nov. 18
The Orland Park Civic Center has again agreed to let us use the exhibit room for our seed cleaning this year.  We have the room from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 2, and Thursday, November 14.  See our website for pictures of last year..bags and bags of seed were collected by volunteers!
 
November 18 is our grand seeding day followed by our annual Pot-pourri.  We'll meet at the site at 9:00 a.m. to get our teams together, our bags of seed and our mapped destinations.  We'll follow up in The Gateway with our own version of a bountiful harvest thanksgiving enjoying  homemade soups, great breads and other pot luck feast items, usually about 12:30.  It's a fullfilling day that celebrates all the heartfelt work and accomplishments of the volunteers.  There's usually a contest.  Suzanne and Pat are brewing up something again this year.
 
Autumn on the Grassland-A Great Day!
Autumn on the Grassland was a great place to be on September 24.  Students, families, children and volunteers enjoyed the sunny, autumn day.  Some hiked and got to see smooth green snakes, crayfish, bottle gentian, mountain mint, stiff goldenrod, Gray's goldenrod, and big bluestem.  Some cut resprouts and collected seeds from blazing star and pasture thistle.  Some did both, all with expert volunteers to guide the way.   The kids were smiling ear to ear, and parents took delight in seeing their children enjoy this great nature experience.  See www.orlandgrassland.org for pictures, there's nothing like pictures to sum it all up.
 
Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project Clinic
On September 16, Pat Hayes, Judy Pollock, and Jean Sellar from Army Corps of Engineers, led a group of 10 stewards and volunteers from around the region through Orland Grassland as part of a series of clinics sponsored by the Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project.  Several sites were selected because of their special qualities, and Orland Grassland was one of them. 
 
The clinic included discussion of the history of the site, a demonstration of the transition from a prairie remnant area with existing seedbeds to areas that have been burned and are beginning to show signs of coming alive as a result of that and seeding.  The group was led through Bluebird Savanna for a view of the clearing work of volunteers and a discussion on volunteering and outreach.  They continued to the top of Kwadekik for a great vista of the site and a discussion led by Jean of how and where the site will likely wet up after tile disablement, the significance of native hydrology, and a possible reed canary grass challenge that may follow.  We talked about the massive clearing that took place in the interior giving us the largest contiguous grassland habitat expanse under restoration in Cook County, and the tree resprout challenge left behind.  Judy finished with a discussion, again from that great Kwadekik vantage point, of the grassland and potential shrubland bird habitat opportunity at Orland Grassland. 
 
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County Has a New Website
www.fpdccvolunteers.org is a new website that has been designed just for volunteers.  It's a  new site that highlights the various sites that are being managed by volunteers and the many volunteer and other public opportunities that are available.  It's a great site..check it out.
 
"Echos" for the Next Newsletter
We are always interested in what you find that is good about our site, or interesting, or a surprise.  It's fun to share these experiences with each other, and we do that in our "Echos" column in the newsletter.  Contact us from our website at www.orlandgrassland.org  or go directly to Suzanne at skoglin@comcast.net.
 
Welcome to Our New Enews and Newsletter Bunch!
Between Autumn on the Grassland and the Habitat Project clinic, we had many who couldn't resist signing up for our enews and newsletter, with hopes of volunteering, too.  A big welcome goes to:  Tony, Lynn, Jack, Emily, Holly, Anne, Gretchen, Carole, Victoria, Susan, Joel, Mary Lisa, Mary Anne, Liz, Beth, Diane, Ken, Joseph, Beth, Joyce, Barb and Gerald!!!!!!!
 
Wow..are we good.
A couple weeks back it was reported that several people saw a Western Kingbird at Orland Grassland.  Wow! (Not seen in Illinois lately that we know).  And..tuh duh..Downy Gentian has made its fist appearance at the Grassland!!! 
 
See you at the Grassland..
 
Pat Hayes
Orland Grassland Volunteer 
 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2006

Grasslanders:

 
I've been getting some good things to pass along..here they are:
 
From Stephen Packard:
The North Branch volunteers put this together some years back.  It will be a great help to any and everyone building the Orland seed gathering effort  (and it surely is):
 
 
From Joe Roth:
CorLands funded some work done by Dr. Ron Panzer, Northeastern Illinois University regarding insects, and this website is one of the things that came out of that project.  (It's great)
 
 
From Liam Heneghan, Prof of Envir Sciences at DePaul:
There will be a Soils and Restoration meeting at DePaul in December.  They would like to encourage volunteers to participate and are offering a reduced volunteer "student" rate of $25 to attend.
 
 
From Karen Tharp, VSN:
September "Gatherings Online"
 
 
Chicago Wilderness and the Chicago Park District are sponsoring a presentation by:
Author Richard Louv, "Last Child in the Woods:  Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder" on November 15 from 7-8 p.m. at Ludwin Hall, Northwestern University.  It's free, but seating is limited, so please call:  312-580-2137.  (I have already reserved a seat for me)
 
See you on the Grassland (and yes, Saturday, September 23 is a regularly scheduled workday..with Autumn on the Grassland on the 24th, that's two fun-filled days in a row!)
 
Pat
 

AUGUST  28, 2006

To the Friends of Orland Grassland:

 
Inside this message find--
 
Workday Reminders
Volunteer Meeting-Wednesday, August 30
Chicago Wilderness Clinic Comes to Orland Grassland-September 16
Autumn on the Grassland-September 24
Check out exSightment at Orland Grassland, www.orlandgrassland.org
The Littlest Prairie-Year 2
Help Wanted-Publicity
Training and Other Events
 
Workday Reminders
Saturday, September 9 and September 23 are regularly scheduled volunteer workdays.  We meet every second and fourth Saturday of the month, year round.  Our invasive control season is coming to a close and we'll begin harvesting seeds and maybe grabbing some resprouts along the way.  We've got the tools..we just need you!  Volunteering at Orland Grassland counts toward community service hours for students.
 
Wednesday meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month.  Call Suzanne at 708-349-4913 to find out what they're up to.  You never know..they're a free spirited bunch!  They did a tremendous job at tackling teasel this yea, and now  they, too, are looking forward to harvesting precious native seed.
 
Volunteer Meeting-Wednesday, August 30
Join us for the volunteer meeting at Pat's house on Wednesday, August 30 at 6:30 p.m.  We'll be talking about invasive specie status and thoughts about next year's strategies.  We'll discuss who will be collecting what seed where.  We'll be getting organized for Autumn on the Grassland.  We could use your help here. If you'd even like to just drop by and pick up fliers to pass out, that would be a huge help.  Call Pat at 708-460-8270 if you need directions to 13733 Santa Fe Trail, Orland Park, Illinois.  It's located between Wolf and Will Cook Roads just north of 139th Street.
 
Chicago Wilderness Comes to Orland Grassland-September 16, 9:00 to Noon
The Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project has asked that Orland Grassland host one of their clinics.  This workshop include a tour of the site led by Pat Hayes with discussion of restoration and seed bank history.  An expert birder will talk about bird mapping and a representative of the Army Corps of Engineers will discuss natural hydrology and draintile dismemberment.  They'll meet at the 167th Street parking lot just west of La Grange Road.  See http://www.habitatproject.org/ for more information and how to register.--Free.
 
Autumn on the Grassland-September 24 from 1:00 to 4:00
This free community event is hosted by the Orland Grassland Volunteers.  It offers the community an opportunity to participate in restoration activities like seed cleaning and brush clearing, and learn about how important they are to the good health of the site.  Tours and discussion are led by experienced volunteers about this largest grassland natural habitat restoration project in Cook County.  There will be exhibits, children's activites and refreshments.  It will count toward community service hours for students.  You will see and feel what is so great about this very special place...learn first hand what volunteers are doing...make a difference yourself.  See www.orlandgrassland.org for more information.  You can also help by downloading the flier and passing it around your community.
 
Check out exSightment at www.orlandgrassland.org
When you click on exSightment from our home page, you will see a great list of what we've seen.  Earlier, it was birds.  The results from the OGGBE are posted there.  Now it's wildflowers.  What a year for us!!!  Compass plant, prairie dock, marsh blazing star, marsh phlox, partridge pea, creamy gentian everywhere, wood betony, rough blazing star, scurfy pea and more!   Our hard working is paying off big time.  Birds, wildflowers...even burr oaks we've rescued are stretching out their burly limbs taking in the sun.  Let us know what you see.  We'll post it at the site.
 
The Littlest Praire-Year 2
Last year a 5-gallon landscaper's pot contained a piece of sod the depth of a shovel blade  that was rescued from an ancient prairie about to be scraped clean.   In the center was a single hoary puccoon and a tiny slip of lead plant at the outer edge. That's all I could recognize that time of year.  I planted it in my home garden for a seed nursery.  The first year, surprise..the hoary puccoon bloomed, the lead plant lived, one Scribner's panicum emerged, as did one misshapen rosin weed, and a prairie sunflower.
 
Year 2:  No burn, no interseeding.  Several Scribner's, two rosin weeds, two stiff goldenrods, more prairie sunflowers than I care to have, tall coreopsis, three hoary puccoons, a single thimbleweed, and some grasses I haven't figured out yet.  Haven't seen the lead plant.  All this from 15 inches across and 6 inches deep.  I wonder what else is in there?  I wonder what else got saved.
 
Help Wanted-Publicity
Is anyone interested in sending in short monthly articles to the newspaper community calendars about our workdays?  I'm lousy at it...haven't done it in months.  Would someone like to do this?
 
Training and Other Events
 
September 9 from 3:00 to 6:00:  Chicago Wilderness Hootenany!  It's in Wood Dale Grove in Northeast DuPage County.  Celebrate with good fun and food.  Nominate your favorite people for wacky awards.  See www.habitatproject.org for more information, the flier, and how to register.  Free.
 
September 11 and 12 or
September 23 and 24 -- Chicago Wilderness Burn Crew Training Workshop
September 11 and 12 is at the Morton Arboretum.  September 23 and 24 is at Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland.  Register with Chris Mulvaney at cmulvaney@chicagowilderness.org or call 847-242-6424 for more information.  Free, registration a must.
 
October 23 - Treekeepers in the Preserves-This is a once-a-week, 7-week course that teaches all about how to identify, care for and monitor the health and invading insects of trees.  It will be held at Camp Sagawau in Lemont.  Call John Suffredon, FPDCC, at 773-631-1790 ext. 10, or go to www.openlands.org/urbangreenin_g.asp
for more information.  There is a fee for this class.
 
December 13 and 14-Midwest Invasive Plants Meeting, Milwaukee WI
It will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee, WI.  The cost is $40 for one day and $60 for both days.  More information is available at the North Central Weed Science Society site at www.ncwss.org.
 
See you at the Grassland!
 
Pat Hayes
Orland Grassland Volunteer
 

JULY 8, 2006

Grasslanders

 
Inside this message find:
 
Workday Reminders
We Got a New Sign!--It's in the Wrong Place!!
Good News from Volunteer Stewardship Network (VSN)
Terry Prairie is Alive at Orland Grassland
Intern Update and Invitation
Where's Pat?
 
Workday Reminders
Saturday is a regularly scheduled workday.  We meet on the second and fourth Saturday at 9:00 at the parking lot at 167th Street parking lot.  It's rolling in clover time!  If we run out, we'll hit a couple resprouts.
 
Although Wednesday thought they would be laying back for a while, rumor has it they're still out there!  Contact Suzanne, 708-349-4913,  for second and fourth Wednesday details.
 
We Got a New Sign!--It's in the Wrong Place!!
The good news is we finally got a new sign that says, "Orland Grassland"!  The not so good news is it got erected at the wrong site!!  Right now it resides across the street from St. Mike's on 143rd Street, and a sign that says "Orland Grove" is at our front door.  Everyone at the FPD who has access to a phone now knows about this.  They are arranging to have them switched. 
 
Good News from VSN
We have been approved to receive three scythes from them, and one distribution for a newsletter for our first one released in 2007.  Great news..thank you, thank you Volunteer Stewardship Network. 
 
Terry Prairie is  Alive at Orland Grassland 
Liatris and rattlesnake master have been spotted from the sods we rescued from Terry Prairie.  Heartwarming news.
 
Other reports include a bumper crop of compass plant this year!  And a field of praire phlox at Phlox Bottoms.  We are lookin' better and better.
 
Intern Update and Invitation
The interns have been working hard for us.  They have tackled an unbelievable amount of reed canary grass and are turning their focus on yellow and white sweet clover.  Close behind will be the resprouts and teasel.  They are making a huge difference.
 
How about a baked potato and corn roast for them at the Grassland on July 29?  They cut their chain saw teeth on Bluebird Savanna, and what a brush pile they made!  They sure would like to see that burn. 
 
Friday, July 28, will be their last workday so this will be a nice send off for them.  Meet at the parking lot at 8:00 a.m. to beat the heat?  We'll hike into Bluebird.  I'm thinking the stuff should be ready to eat by 10:00 and you'll be back in the parking lot by 11:30.  (I volunteer to stay with the fire)  RSVP
 
Where's Pat?
I've got quite a bit of business travel coming up in the next two months, and some vacation time, so I'll be a bit out of touch.  If anyone needs a quick answer, feel free to contact Dave Carson, daveandnorma@prodigy.net.
 
See you at the Grassland,
 
Pat Hayes
Orland Grassland Volunteer

 
 

JUNE 7, 2006

Inside this message find:

 
Workday Reminders
Welcome Back Bobolinks
105... Oh My!
Interns are Here
Parking Reminder
Gatherings Online-June 2006
 
Workday Reminders
This Saturday is a regularly scheduled workday.  We meet the second and fourth Saturday of each month at the parking lot at 167th Street at 9:00 a.m.  This Saturday will be a hiking Saturday..we'll be spreading innoculant in spots we've seeded earlier.  If we get enough people, we can divide up in teams and just hike a predetermined segment.  If you see any yellow sweet clover on the way in...pull it, crack the stem and let it lay! 
 
RSVP so I know how many teams we'll have.  If all goes well, it should probably be done easily before noon.
 
Welcome Back Bobolinks
Welcome Back Bobolinks had a lot of community competition this year, so we did not have as many people come out as we had hoped.  However, for those of us who did, we had fabulous weather and great birding.  We actually had people come in from one bird walk and jump into another that was just going out!  We could hardly drag ourselves away.  Bobolinks, Henslow's sparrows, grasshopper sparrows, meadowlarks, sedge wrens, field sparrows, dickcissel, goldfinches and a sora calling from Hideaway Swale.  I'll see him one of these days!!!  Beautiful day.
 
105...Oh My! 
Speaking of beautiful days, wait til you hear about this one.  We had enough bird monitors come out on May 20th for the Orland Grassland Grand Birding Event, aka OGGBE, to have 10 bird quadrants.  The weather could not have been more perfect.  The best part...we counted 105 species!!  
 
Counted this year and not last year:  Double-crested cormorant, green heron, great egret, sora, northern harrier, American woodcock, great horned owl, ruby-throated, purple martin, tufted titmouse, veery, Swainson's thrush, Northern mockingbird, Canada warbler, black-throated blue, Tennessee warbler, prairie warbler, black and white warbler, Northern water thrush, rose-breasted grosbeak, chipping sparrow, white-crowned sparrow, vesper sparrow, scarlet tanager and monk parakeet.
 
Go to the website at www.orlandgrassland.org and click on exSightment to see the birds sighted in May.  105..Oh My!!!
 
Interns are Here
The Forest Preserve District of Cook County allotted money in their budget this year for interns and Orland/Bartel got the three best, I'm sure.  Welcome Greg, Aaron and Kale to Orland and Bartel.  So far, they've done a bang up job clearing out Bluebird Savanna, and now they've set their sites on dreaded reed canary grass around Orland.  We share with Bartel, and they have already tackled Bartel's dreaded leafy spurge.  What a difference they will make!  Thank you FPDCC. 
 
Parking Reminder
This is a reminder that when we are working, we can park in the parking lot at 167th, along old 175th and along Great Egret.  We CANNOT park on grassy areas, and that means along 104th for us.  We can also park in the subdivisions across 104th.
 
Gatherings Online-June 2006
 
See you at the Grassland..
 
Pat Hayes
Orland Grassland Volunteer

 

 

MAY 14, 2006

Friends of Orland Grassland-

 
Inside this message find:
 
Workday Reminders
OGGBE-May 20th-Will You Be There?
Welcome Back Bobolinks-June 3
Terry Prairie
exSIGHTment at Orland Grassland
Welcome New Volunteers Norm and Pat
 
Workday Reminders
The next Saturday workday is May 27th.  We meet on the second and fourth Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at the 167th Street Parking Lot just west of La Grange.  Last Saturday, in spite of the drizzle, Saturday volunteers met at the Grassland for a day on the prairie.  We planted some hazelnut and wild plum pits along the savanna areas, and scoped out what's coming up and where.  Don't worry, Wannetta, we were very, very watchful of our grassland birds' nests nestled in the grass and shrubs.  Bill said he'd never seen Pat lead a walk so slowly! 
 
RSVP if you think you might be there, but don't hesitate to drop in. 
 
Wednesday meets the second and fourth Wednesdays.  The next is May 24th.  Call Suzanne for information.  We never quite know what that bunch is up to!  708-349-4913.
 
OGGBE-May 20th-Will You Be There?
If you would like to be a part of the second annual Orland Grassland Grand Bird Event bird count, please contact Suzanne at 708-349-4913 or skoglin@comcast.net.  She's getting her final ducks in a row, and will be setting up teams, so let her know if you're interested.   We have bird counters, but some are new and don't know the site.  So, if you know the site and would like to be a scribe, like me, and do the tallying, while the bird counter does the monitoring, let us know.  Or if you can be a monitor, let us know.  See www.orlandgrassland.org for details on OGGBE. 
 
Welcome Back Bobolinks-June 3
Saturday, June 3, 8:00 am. to 12:00 noon, is our annual Welcome Back Bobolinks community event.  Get your binculars ready!  Orland Grassland's 750 open, contiguous acres are welcome home to many grassland birds in decline, endangered or threatened, including bobolinks and Henslow's sparrows.  Take bird walks or site tours guided by experts.  Browse exhibits.  Enjoy refreshments.  Participation can be used toward school community service hours.  See www.orlandgrassland.org for more information on Welcome Back Bobolinks.
 
Terry Prairie Rescue
Terry Prairie in Bridgeview has long been recognized as one of those few remaining  ancient native prairies.  In some parts of it, you cannot walk without stepping on hoary puccoon.  The prairie was not protected public lands, but owned privately, and recently sold to a developer.  Through the efforts of public and private individuals and community leaders, 8.65 acres of the most precious part of Terry Prairie was preserved.  Another 3 acres was opened up by the developer to Orland Grassland volunteers and other site volunteers for rescue.
 
Rescue we did.  Eight of our volunteers went to the site, shovels, wagons and buckets in hand, and dug up sod sections filled not only with native plants of spring, but soil deep enough to contain insects, organisms and seed beds that are so important to our native habitat restoration efforts and the continuation of life for a native prairie ecosystem. 
 
Maybe you read about it.  Articles appeared in the Southtown and the Star.
 
exSIGHTment at Orland Grassland
Our volunteer birders have been reporting birds, birds and more birds.  Barn swallows, chimney swifts, yellow-rumped warblers, bluebirds, meadowlarks, woodcocks, song sparrows, and...bobolinks!  Most of the reports are from our Wednesday group, but, for the first time, on Saturday, I saw a bobolink on the west side of Kwadekik Hill.  In the past, they have pretty much stuck to the east side.
 
Also, on our Saturday site walk we found wood betony, everywhere!  Including, just east of Great Egret Savanna.  I couldn't believe it, there it was at Great Egret. 
 
And, blue-eyed grass is coming up in places it's not been, in the recent burned area.  That burning really works!
 
Welcome New Volunteers
Two of our Earth Day visitors decided they wanted more.  Welcome to Pat and to Norm.  Pat joined our Wednesday group last week, and Norm was there in the drizzle on Saturday.  Norm's comment, "Looks like I'm going to need to invest in some new boots".  I think that means he'll be back!
 
See you at the Grassland..
 
Pat Hayes
Orland Grassland Volunteer
 

APRIL 25, 2006

Friends of Orland Grassland:

 
Inside this message find--
 
PRAIRIE RESCUE-MAY 6TH!
Earth Day at Orland Grassland
Pictures from the Controlled Burn
Next Up--OGGBE
"Welcome Back Bobolinks" Coming June 3
Woodland Rescue
Where In the World is Orland Grassland?
 
PRAIRIE RESCUE-MAY 6TH!
WE NEED YOU FOR A PRAIRIE RESCUE ON MAY 6TH!!  Concord Homes is doing a development near Terry Prairie and has recognized the great significance of the precious prairie forbs and grasses that need to be saved.  Some of the area will be preserved, but other parts will be saved..by us!..and others, too.  Concord will have a representative stake out the area that we can have before we get there.  Congratulations to Concord Homes for being on nature's side.
 
The Plan:  Meet at 167th Street parking lot at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 6.  Bring a long handled shovel for digging in the prairie and water to carry with you.  We will be digging up not just plugs, but as big a shovel full as we can get into a pot.  We want all that important soil and all the life it holds, too.  We'll have pots to put them in.  If you have a van or pick up, or can borrow one from a friend for the day, that can be used to help bring it all back, that would be great.
 
We will be on site and digging by 9:00.  We will return to Orland, by about noon.  There will be a cooler full of sandwiches and lemonade and water.  Then we'll plant what we have along 175th.  I'm hoping that we'll be done about 3:00.
 
RSVP if you can help.  If you can only do morning, or afternoon, that's fine, too.
 
Earth Day at Orland Grassland (see pictures at www.orlandgrassland.org)
Earth Day at Orland Grassland was a great day.  About 50 people helped clean the site, inside and out.  Ten of those people helped clear invasive brush and small trees encroaching The Scrape area.  It looks great.  Many thanks to the community to coming out to help, and to Richard High School students for the big part they played in helping to restore The Scrape to good prairie health and vitality. 
 
But that's not all!  Suzanne, Wannetta and Joe brought an exhibit table filled with wonderful Orland Grassland pictures, treasures, posters and informational material to the Oak Forest Hospital Earth Day celebration on April 19th.  See pictures at
 
And...Tad and Pat had an exhibit table for Orland Grassland at the Earth Day celebration exhibit held at Daley Plaza in Chicago on April 19th. 
 
Controlled Burn at Orland Grassland
The pictures are up from our controlled burn.  See www.orlandgrassland.org.
 
Next Up-OGGBE
May 7th is the workshop at Camp Sagawau for the Orland Grassland Grand Birding Event.  If you get there early, at 7:00 a.m., you'll be able to participate in Camp Sagawau's morning bird walk.  The workshop begins at 10:00 a.m with a cook out to follow.  Bring your own sack lunch or something to cook on the grill.  RSVP if you would like to attend the workshop to prepare for the upcoming birdcount.
 
May 20th is the bird count.  There will be seasoned birders there, and those just getting started to team up with them.  Be at the parking lot at 7:00 a.m. if you'd like to help.  See www.orlandgrassland.org for more information.  Please RSVP
 
Woodland Rescue
Recently our Wednesday crew went out and spent the day saving woodland plants from an area about to be developed.  They came back with:
trillium
trout lily
wood anemone
wild leek
spring beauty
soloman's seal
mayapple
turk's cap lily
cut leaf toothwort
wild hyacinth
yellow violets
bane berry (doll's eyes)
 
Where In the World is Orland Grassland?
Okay.  For those of you who have those great Orland Grassland t-shirts, sweatshirts and baseball caps, here's something for you.  Take it with you on vacation and get a picture wearing your Orland Grassland stuff.  Send it to me digitally with where you were and we'll share it on the website.  See www.orlandgrassland.org  for pictures and places already.  Sorry Wannetta, I didn't think of it while you were in the Galapolis or when I was in Hawaii.  But we've still got the rest of the year.  Don't have one?  Go to our website and order one! 
 
See you at the Prairie Rescue!!
 
Pat
 

APRIL 16, 2006

Friends of Orland Grassland:

 
Inside this message find--
 
Earth Day at Orland Grassland-April 22
Reminder-OGGBE Workshop and Bird Monitoring Day
A Controlled Burn for the Grassland
Look What We Did Last Year!
ExSIGHTment at Orland Grassland
 
Earth Day at Orland Grassland-April 22
Don't forget-Saturday, April 22, from 9:00 to 1:00, we'll be celebrating Earth Day at Orland Grassland.  We'll be spring cleaning, and we'll be doing some brush cutting.  There will be work stations at the 167th Street parking lot, at Great Egret entrance off of 104th and at Old 175th Street and 104th. Tools will be provided, as will refreshments.  This work counts as community service hours for students.  Come on out and join us!  Go to our website at www.orlandgrassland.org and click on Earth Day for a flier that you can print off and pass around to your friends and neighbors.   Even that will be a big help!
 
Reminder-OGGBE Workshop and Bird Monitoring Day
It's an exciting time for us.  The second annual Orland Grassland Grand Birding Event gets kicked off with a work shop held at Camp Sagawau on  Sunday May 7, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. (Come early, at 7:00 a.m. for a bird walk if you'd like).  Then, on Saturday, May 20, 7:00 a.m. (yes, we're up with the birds) come to Orland Grassland to help monitor our birds.  We'll team up so those who are new at it can walk with those more "seasoned". See our website at www.orlandgrassland.org and click on OGGBE for all the info.
 
A Controlled Burn for Orland Grassland
Last week the FPDCC finished up phase 2 of a controlled burn at Orland Grassland.  The Phoenix, The Scrape, The Watering Hole, Kwadekik, Hideaway Swale and south to 175th Street was burned.  Already, it is greening up.  Unbelieveable what nurturing and regenerating qualities a burn has for the prairie.  It controls the woody growth, returns important nutrients to the soil, gets rid of dead grass and wildflower stalk debris and gets that powerful sunshine to the earth sooner, warming it up to get things going. And with the wonderful rain we've been getting, and all the seeds we've planted in the last few years...what a spring it will be!
 
Look What We Did Last Year!
For 2005, volunteers logged in over 2,498 volunteer work hours!!  The year before, we had 1,500 hours. 
 
As I was heading out to Bluebird Savanna this past Saturday, a gentleman was walking through and stopped to talk with me.  He's been living nearby since the 70s and walking the Grassland.  He said at first he was concerned about all the activity going on, clearing, etc.  But, he just wanted to tell me that he couldn't be more impressed with how things are shaping up out there.  He thinks it's wonderful, and his smile could not have been more genuine.
 
Congratulations to all who volunteer:  whether it's for one workday, or for many; whether you know a lot, or a little; whether you are on your own or with a group...
YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND IT SHOWS!
 
ExSIGHTment at Orland Grassland
Yes, things are getting exSIGHTing at the Grassland.  Look what's been reported lately:
Cooper's Hawk nest
Yellow-rumped warbler
Ruby-crowned kinglet
Brown Thrasher
Kestrel
Brown Creeper
Chickadees
Golden-crowned kinglets
Red-breasted nuthatch
Red-tailed hawk
Winter wren
6-spotted fishing spider
Giant waterscavenger beetle
 
See you at the Grassland.
 
 
Pat Hayes
Orland Grassland Volunteer 
 

MARCH 27, 2006

Friends of the Grassland:

 
Inside this message find-
 
Workday Reminders
Volunteer Quarterly Meeting -April 5
Earth Day Celebrations-We're Everywhere!
We've Been Burned!
exSIGHTment!
Upcoming Workshops from VSN
 
Workday Reminders
April 8 and April 22 are Saturday workdays.  Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the parking lot at 167th Street just west of La Grange Road.  Please RSVP if you think you may be joining us so we have enough tools on hand.  We're busy into our brush clearing mode and every helping hand makes a huge difference.  This season, Saturday is working hard to meet up with the Wednesday bunch--midway through The Phoenix.  That Wednesday bunch is a hard working crew--it's going to take quite a bit of Saturday oomph to meet them in the middle.  Join us!  Pat's cell phone is 708-220-9596 in case you need some directions or are going to be late.
 
April 12th and April 26th on scheduled Wednesday days.  They sometimes get impulsive and like to work in different areas, so best to call Suzanne to find out what's happening for Wednesday.  Call 708-349-4913.
 
Volunteer Quarterly Meeting-April 5
The Orland Grassland Volunteer Quarterly Meeting will be held Wednesday, April 5th, at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Pat Hayes, 13733 Santa Fe Trail, Orland Park IL.  708-460-8270 to rsvp or get directions.  If you're interested in finding out what's planned, or in participating in the planning, or just want to get to know us all better--be there!  Are there items you'd like to see on the agenda?  Let me know.
 
Earth Day Celebrations-We're Everywhere!
On April 19th you'll find Orland Grassland Volunteers in two separate places: 
We'll have an exhibit table at the public Earth Day Celebration Event being held at Daley Plaza in Chicago, and we've been invited back to Oak Forest Hospital for their in-house celebration for their patients and family.  If anyone would like to join Pat and Tad at the event at Daley Plaza, speak up--we'd be happy to have your help.
 
On April 22, don't forget to celebrate Earth Day by visiting Orland Grassland.  We will be hosting our community event that gives people an opportunity to do a little spring cleaning by picking up trash that's accumulated in and around the site.  We also will be taking groups out to participate in important prairie restoration work.  We provide the tools and the leadership.  We just need you! 
 
See www.orlandgrassland.org for information about us and a flyer that you can download and pass around.  Perhaps you are a part of a group that would like to jump in and take part of this natural grassland habitat restoration project that is striving to return Orland Grassland to a wonderful bio-diverse ecosystem...one that reestablishes our prairie heritage.
 
We've Been Burned!
For the second time since our restoration plan rolled out, we've been burned!  Controlled burned, that is.  Burning is a critical component to getting Orland Grassland back to glorious good health and a rich, complex bio-diversity.  This couldn't be better for us.  It just happend, and I'm still getting information gathered on the results, so more information will come later.
 
exSIGHTment!
The Grassland is starting to wake up and reports of exciting sightings are starting to come in:
 
Cecropia cacoon (The largest moth in North American with a 5 to 6 inch wing span)
Woodcocks
Meadowlarks
Tree Swallows
Red-winged blackbirds
Robins
Red Tailed Hawks
10 deer
one inch worm
 
Visit our exSIGHTment link from our website, www.orlandgrassland.org, to see what we see year round.  And, contribute by reporting what species you see.
 
Upcoming Workshops from the Volunteer Stewardship Network
 
Dragonfly monitor workshops:

April 8 - 10:00 to 3:00 (10:00 - 12:00 monitoring and dragonflies; 1:00 to 3:00 damselflies) - McHenry County College (Crystal Lake)
April 22 - 10:00 to 3:00 (10:00 - 12:00 monitoring and dragonflies; 1:00 to 3:00 damselflies) - Joliet Junior College
April 28 (Friday) - 1:00 to 5:00 (1:00 - 3:00 dragonflies and damselflies; 3:00 to 5:00 monitoring) - College of Lake County (Grayslake)
April 29 - 10:00 to 3:00 (10:00 - 12:00 monitoring and dragonflies; 1:00 to 3:00 damselflies) - Harper College (Palatine)

This information will soon be posted on the dragonfly monitoring website (www.anisoptera.org);
contact:
Craig Stettner
(847) 925-6214
cstettne@harpercollege.edu

Harper College - Department of Biology
1200 W. Algonquin Rd.
Palatine, IL 60067
 
 
 
Plants of Concern Workshops:
 
Plants of Concern is a rare plant monitoring program, a collaboration of over 200 trained volunteer monitors working together with 54 cooperating landowners at over 165 sites in six counties.  The data are providing land managers with information that helps them to set management practices.  Plants of Concern will be holding training workshops on weekends during April and early May (to be determined) at various sites throughout the region.
 

 Workshop Schedule in April 
 Saturday, April 8 – Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, DuPage County 
Sunday, April 23 – Glacial Park, Ringwood, McHenry County 
 Sunday, April 30 – Chicago Botanic Garden, Cook County
 
Workshops will be held from 9:30 am to 3 pm.  This workshop will give you an opportunity to learn monitoring skills and to select a monitoring assignment or will refresh your skills for the new season.  We strongly encourage any monitors who have never been to a workshop to attend.  Bring a lunch.  Morning refreshments will be served.  Registration is required.  A confirmation will be sent after registration and directions will follow shortly before the workshop date.  More dates will be announced soon.  For more information, please visit our webpage at:  www.plantsofconcern.org.  To get on the mailing list and/or to register for the workshops, please contact Emily Hudson, Program Assistant, Plants of Concern, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022, or call 847/835-6873 or email: ehudson@chicagobotanic.org.
 
 
See you at the Grassland!
 
Pat Hayes
Orland Grassland Volunteer
 

MARCH 6, 2006

Friends of the Grassland--

 
Inside This Message Find:
Workday Update
exsightment!
Celebrity Update
 
Workday Update:
Update:  Unfortunately, our high schoolers had to cancel for this Saturday, but that doesn't mean we won't be out there!  Join us for some great outdoors brush cutting and brush pile burning.  9:00 a.m. at the 167th Street parking lot.  RSVP if you think you might be coming.  But you don't have to.  Just drop in if you want.