How YOU can FOCUS ON OUR FOREST

As the countdown continues to the FOCUS ON OUR FOREST presentation in the auditorium of the Northbrook Public Library -- next Thursday, February 27 at 7:00 PM -- take some time to examine the list of stewardship priorities [below] developed to help restore the Somme Preserve. 

We encourage our GGN members to consider becoming volunteers for the upcoming 2014 March Workdays. The information provided below is posted on the Somme preserve WEBSITE. Read about the area. Find out about tours. Learn about some the "heroes" who have worked so hard to rehabilitate the area. 

Got questions? Ask speaker, Stephen Packard, steward of the Somme Preserve, at the Focus on our Forest presentation. When? Have we mentioned Thursday, February 27th at 7:00 PM in the Northbrook Public Library auditorium? 

STEWARDSHIP PRIORITIES

The highest priorities [for the Somme Preserve], as seen by the management team, are listed first. The needs that seem less urgent—though all are important—are listed last. Some people ask why we don’t finish work on the most important priorities before we move on to the others. The reason is that the various tasks require varied resources, seasons, weather, approvals, personnel, etc. If there is any priority that you are interested in contributing to in any way, please let us know.

ECOLOGICAL 

1. Burn approximately one half of the site each year. (FPD staff and trained volunteers)
2. Protect all endangered and threatened species populations from unnatural threats. (Chicago Botanic Garden trained volunteers)
3. Reduce the numbers of white-tailed deer. (Illinois DNR, FPD and village staff)
4. Eliminate from the site as soon as practical (in this order of priority) all populations of teasel, crown vetch, purple loosestrife, reed canary grass, white sweet clover, garlic mustard, Japanese hedge parsley and giant reed. (Trained volunteers and interns)
5. Cut invasive woody plants from as many areas as possible under a prioritized plan—opening up areas for ecosystem restoration. (Volunteer workdays and interns)
6. Gather and sow seeds of appropriate plants in areas cleared of invasive brush. (Volunteer workdays and trained volunteers)
7. Restore shrublands by cutting invasive and planting natural shrubs. (Trained volunteers)
8. Eliminate from the site all remaining populations of black locust, white poplar and both alien buckthorn species. (FPD staff, interns, and trained volunteers)

PROGRAMMATIC

1. Monitor plants and animals for planning and educational purposes. (Chicago Botanic Garden and volunteers)
2. Maintain trails so that most areas won’t get trampled and people can visit with a clear conscience. (volunteers)
3. Through website, trail guides and tours, teach people how to appreciate and respect the preserve. (Forest Preserve District and volunteers)
4. Maintain buffer vegetation to exclude vehicles, expand usable habitat for animals and enhance the wilderness experience for visitors. (volunteers)
5. Guard against dumping of salt, toxics, etc. along the preserve’s borders. (police from the Forest Preserve District and Village of Northbrook, with quick cell phone help from anyone who sees a problem)
6. Seek expansion of the “walk lights” at Dundee and Waukegan to include the north side of Dundee, to protect visitors and ease access to the preserve. (Village of Northbrook, Illinois Department of Transportation, elected officials)
7. Seek installation of a chain or other vehicle barrier along Dundee at railroad. (Metra or Milwaukee Road)