April 14th Day in Sauganash

invitation from Pete Leki:

Our work in Riverbank Neighbors and Waters Garden was
inspired by the North Branch Restoration Project. For 30
years the NBRP pioneered the hands-on, eyes-and-ears
open restoration of remnant plant communities along
the Chicago River. It was startling for me to see,
some fifteen years ago, plants species by the score
that I had never seen before, living right here in my
home town. Turns out they have been here for 10,000
years, knitting a tapestry of diversity, complexity
and interdependance that took the breath away from the
European settlers when they first saw it, and was
revered by the native populations that sustained them
for those thousands of years. Ancient oak woods,
majestic savannas, lush wetlands, and prairies to the
horizon, all ablaze in flowers, saturated with the
sweet smells and symphonic calls of insects and
anilmals.
Sadly, most, more than 95% percent, of these areas
have been destroyed by development. The last precious
remnants are close by and need great care and
attention.
We will be working at Sauganash Prairie Grove from
9-12 on Saturday, removing invasive species and
checking out the first wildflowers of the year. Meet
at Bryn Mawr and Kilbourn and we’ll have instructions
and an invocation after 10 long years of forced
idleness. (see North Branch Restoration project for
map) We’re coming…. hang on Carex squarosa,
Dutchmen’s Breeches, Trillium, Rattlesnake master,
hold on. Call Pete for info or ride share, 463-8968.