As a bonus for those who despair of another long and boring post, at the very end I included a picture of a bunch of really hot naked chicks.

I have couple years of history now with the Pierce Downer Heritage Alliance.  One year ago I wrote up an article about damage done to the oak savanna on the north side of Lyman Woods during work to restore the stream there.  Some of it could have been avoided but mostly it was unintended or unthinking.  More than a few people were upset about it, and that’s how I found myself with fellow PDHA board members Chris Sarick and Dave Schultz moderating/refereeing a meeting that included us along with representatives of the Downers Grove Park District, the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, ERA Consultants (project managers), and some concerned and upset residents. some of whom had worked very hard for years to bring Lyman Woods into existence.  The Village still has a financial stake in Lyman Woods but has remained a silent partner.

Our concerns were the damage done while doing work to reestablish and stabilize stream beds.  We had secured agreements to update policy for project oversight, and promises to do better moving forward, and to do a fall burn to rid the area of several stands of garlic mustard, a particularly invasive and useless plant that provides neither garlic nor mustard.

The Lyman Woods pics are all from my cell phone camera.

This was indicative of the trail damage done last year by the mini cats used to transport heavy materials.

Last year: pretty chewed up.

This year.

This part of the trail is healing up pretty well.  Some of the small damaged trees died.  The track has begun reverting back to a much smaller width, and there was some growth in the mud:

This little guy is right in the middle of the trail. It looks like a white trillium (?, I’m no botanist), native to the area.  Notice that where there was once only mud, there are now some plants, but not many.

Some smaller trees received severe wounds.

This year: with over half it's vascular "throat" cut, this tree manages to survive.

The materials staging areas have done better.

Lasy year: this was one staging area that was pretty trashed. They actually found remains of a silo that was well over 130 years old here, and dug out the remaining building material, contributing to the damage in the area.

This year: looking much better.

The stream run off had been very fast and contained a lot of silt, which caused problems downstream.  There’s a parking lot near the top of the hill that may increase the run-off.  During rain events, significant erosion was occurring.

Last year: looks kind of like a Disney World version of a forest stream.

This year: the planned-for silt buildup is happening, eliminating erosion problem.

Last year: a freshly re-engineered stream bank.

This year: looking good.

The above two pictures are looking north as the stream flattens out after coming downhill.  The next two look the other way, south towards the open water.

Last year: nature is never this tidy.

This year.

Another staging area, this one immediately east of the stream:

Last year: pretty trashed.

This year: a big comeback. The trees are showing spring growth despite the damage taken last year.

Don't know what this is flower is, but it's growing where there was just compacted mud last year.

Overall, the savanna seems to be doing okay.  It took more damage than it should have, especially considering it was restoration work being done, but by next year it should be barely visible unless you know what to look for.

Controlled burn area.

Last fall the Park District delayed a planned burn to get rid of several patches of garlic mustard.  It appears they have gone ahead and burned out at least 6 patches that I noticed.  Burning is a bit tricky, and has all kinds of rules and regulations, but it’s very effective at totally killing off mustard garlic.  Prairie plants have evolved to take advantage of periodic burning (from say, lightening striking and starting a prairie fire), and quickly move in to reestablish on the scorched earth.

Some residents that had expressed concern and dismay at the damage will always see it.  Kind of like a parent that always knows about the scar on the top of your head from when you fell in the tub as a little kid.

I took the pictures last year on May 14th, and this year on May 9th, so they are all at the same time of year.

And now, as promised, hot naked chicks…

Treatments are available and getting more reasonable in price and application method.  Here’s one treatment option from MSU (ground zero of the infestation) from 2007 for ash tree owners to read over.  Purple ash trees are a bit hardier than green ash, and may have a slightly higher chance of survival with  treatment.

The state EAB website is here.

Last month Burr Ridge’s Public Works Department finished up a report on treatment options and bid out treatment costs for their parkway trees.  Here is the link to that report, pricing is on page 5.  I would expect single tree pricing to be higher, but it gives you an idea.

Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m.
Downers Grove Public Library
1050 Curtis Street

This is an open public meeting this Saturday morning to inform with a presentation, followed by a discussion on the many ways we can participate in environmental stewardship – from our own backyards!

Sponsored by:

• The Pierce Downer’s Heritage Alliance, dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of Downers Grove, through research and education, as well as community outreach.
• The Downers Grove Organic Garden Club promotes healthy and sustainable practices in landscape and lifestyle, providing educatinal outreach to the Downers Grove community and beyond.
• The Conservation Foundation is a Naperville based non-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of open space and natural lands, the protection of rivers and watersheds, and the promotion of environmental stewardship.