Chilly Temps are Good Restoration Conditions
A frosty dip of the winter thermometer is welcome at Friends of the Chicago River. The chilly temperatures create good conditions for ecological restoration work that requires large equipment because the frozen ground protects the soil and plants from being destroyed and compacted.
This week our cold weather work began at two sites. Invasive tree felling and brush mowing is taking place at Wampum Lake Forest Preserve in south suburban Thornton which includes Thorn Creek, a 20.8-mile-long tributary of the Little Calumet River. Hand cutting by crews using chainsaws and other tools as well as brush-pile burning of invasive species is occurring at Harms Woods, which lies next to the North Branch of the Chicago River. With good cold-weather workdays this season, we anticipate the restoration of approximately of 41 acres at Wampum Lake and seven acres at Harms Woods.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA notes that “Soil is a living and life-giving natural resource.” So, we take great care to mitigate disturbances to the soil during winter restoration. Compacted soil has fewer natural voids which not only prevents stormwater infiltration but also restricts the root growth of plants, affects nutrient uptake, and reduces places for animals to burrow. Removal of invasive species enables sunlight to reach the ground allowing native species to flourish again. Unlike invasive species, many native plants have deep root systems that enable greater stormwater infiltration. By holding stormwater instead of having quick runoff, we see less erosion and higher quality water over time.
Proper winter temperature conditions fluctuate so Friends coordinates closely with our contractors to monitor site conditions so we can quickly mobilize when conditions allow for work at targeted sites.
Join Us!
Through Friends’ River Volunteer Stewardship Program, we are partnering with the Forest Preserves of Cook County to support two upcoming volunteer workdays on Saturday, January 18: Whistler Woods in south suburban Riverdale from 9 a.m. to noon, and Forest Glen Woods in Chicago from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Register to volunteer at the Whistler Woods event here and the Forest Glen Woods event here.
Keep an eye on Friends’ social media pages and our website for updates on all of our restoration work. Thanks to the Forest Preserves of Cook County for their partnership in these restoration projects as well the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation for supporting work at Harms Woods, and the US Forest Service and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for supporting work at Wampum Lake.
