The habitat restoration year is divided up roughly into tasks according to the season. In Winter, we remove large invasives such as buckthorn and honeysuckle. Since small or fragile plants are dormant , we can tromp around while moving brush and not damage these smaller plants. In Spring and summer, we pull invasives and generally enjoy watching the flora and fauna grow. In Autumn, we pick mature seeds from the grasses and forbs (flowers) that have set seed. It’s one of our favorite times of the year. It’s so satisfying to see the fruit of our labor and to know that newly cleared areas will be getting seeded with species that will reproduce and start the growth cycle once more.
Seed picking is fun and easy. Come on out on Saturday, October 3 or October 17 from 9 am until around noon to the Oak Ridge Marsh Nature Park , 500 Lions Drive in Lake Zurich and we will teach you everything you need to know. Dress for the weather and Wear Denim Jeans! There are lots of stick tights who would love to hitch a ride but they dont cling to denim.
Here are some photos of seed collecting that we’ve already done.
Judi collecting Canada wild rye
Jack in the pulpit seeds are easy to find!