Lake County Gazette

The winter landscape at Heller Nature Center currently sports some curious clues about ongoing restoration work. Behind the nature center, neon pink tags adorn native understory trees and shrubs, such as Hazelnut and Redbud. Piles of brush, dark burn scars among the leaf litter, and patches of scorched ground and vegetation in the northern prairie might attract attention. The Park District’s natural areas crew, along with members of its volunteer program, has been busy taking advantage of the benefits of these cold months.

Contrary to common perception, outdoor work does not slow down with plunging temperatures. Winter weather enables important restoration techniques. According to Melanie O’Brien, a Restoration Technician with the Natural Areas Department, “The cooler weather and low humidity of late fall produces dead leaves and vegetation, which means plenty of fuel and optimal atmospheric conditions that make prescription burns possible. ”

Prescription burning has been part of Illinois’s ecosystems for thousands of years; native plants have evolved alongside wildfire. Indigenous peoples used controlled fire to clear brush and provide space for game hunting. At Heller Nature Center, controlled fire is used as a cost-effective tool to control non- native species such as buckthorn and honeysuckle. The blackened ground in the prairies provides excellent conditions for seeds of native flowers and grasses to germinate come spring.

During December and January when temperatures turn frigid, trees, plants, and insect life enter dormancy. This winter season sees crews focusing on oak and hickory woodlands by cutting invasive brush and removing plant material through brush pile burns—a method leaving distinctive ground scars reusable for multiple burns.

In dormant conditions like these,” plant matter can be disturbed without causing harm to living insects,” says O’Brien.” When the ground is frozen,” soil won’t be torn up or trampled as crews walk through woods hauling cut brush—creating excellent growing conditions for woodland flowers like Trout Lily Jack-in-the-Pulpit Red Trillium.

Heller’s outdoor winter workload benefits more than just Park District’s native habitats—it offers health benefits too! Those tired from indoor workouts or seeking sunlight during short days are invited to attend weekly volunteer workdays hosted by the natural areas team every Friday from 9-11 am year-round.Tools training provided by experienced restoration technicians ensure participants get good exercise while contributing towards habitat improvement efforts.If interested in volunteering contact Natural Areas Manager Liz Ricketts at [email protected]

Winter may feel long but soon enough ground thaws trees bud green shoots grow toward warming air Soil once covered by dense buckthorn now blankets itself under ephemerals like Bloodroot Rue Anemone Mayapple Positive changes achieved through community efforts during cold months highlight wintertime's fruitful contributions towards sustaining Illinois' ecological balance