Volunteers Breathe New Life Back Into The Land

By Dee Hudson

What does a degraded landscape look like?
Take a good look at the image below. The two volunteer stewards can barely walk through this dense thicket of invasive bushes. The sheer number of invasives that reside here have crowded out most other species, and as a result, have limited the possible diversity. In addition, when leafed out during the summer time, the bushes block the sunlight from reaching the ground and therefore discourage native species from growth. 

This section at Orland Prairie has very dense and unwanted brush

​As Orland Prairie’s land steward, Mike Carr led the December 8 Saturday workday into this gnarly section in the attempt to eradicate the invasive brush. At the end of the day, each volunteer stewardship hour was carefully logged, because Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation has approved this particular habitat as a grant project. When 400 volunteer hours of habitat care have been recorded, Illinois Clean Energy will present $4,000 to Friends of Nachusa Grasslands.

This volunteer uses the Birchmeier backpack sprayer

What species are targeted for removal?

• Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)—Native to Asia, but not to North America
• Autumn Olive (Elaegnus umbellate)--Native to Asia. It was first brought here as erosion control and food for wildlife.
• Wafer Ash (Ptelea trifoliate)--Although this bush is an Illinois native, in this degraded landscape the bush has become too numerous. If it returns once other species have been planted, that signifies that the bush is meant to grow in this area and therefore will not be removed again.
• Buckthorn—Native to Europe. It was first brought to North America as an ornamental shrub.

Some opportunistic wafer ash have also been treated

How is the brush eradicated?
On this workday the volunteers treated the brush with basal bark applications. The treatment was applied to the base of the bush with either a backpack sprayer or a hand sprayer.

The pink color indicates the treated bushes

What does a restored landscape look like?

This landscape is also a part of the 23-acre grant project. The area once looked very degraded, but with basal bark treatments and prescribed fire, the brush understory was removed. Then prairie seeds were planted and the photo above shows the successful restored results. This area has been given new life and is on its way to recovery.

Who restores these habitats?

The December 8 Saturday workday volunteers

Anyone who wants to make a difference can help with restoration!

• Are you interested in preserving habitat for native plants and animals?
• Are you enthusiastic about conservation?
• Do you enjoy working outdoors in nature?
• Do you enjoy learning new skills?
• Are you searching for a meaningful volunteer experience with other enthusiastic volunteers?

 
Next ICE Grant Workday
Join fellow volunteers on December 22, 2018 for the next ICE Grant Saturday workday. Meet at Nachusa’s Headquarters Barn before 9 am and be ready to restore habitat. If you have any questions about the workdays, check the Friends of Nachusa Grasslands website.
 
Let’s make a difference together!

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Connect with Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation: @illnoiscleanenergycommunityfoundation 
#CSgrantsIL #NAicecfdn