‘Oak Rescue Volunteer Work Day’ Scheduled for August 28 at Sterne’s Woods & Fen

THE EVENT

Spend some time outdoors and help make a great park even better. Volunteer at Sterne’s Woods & Fen on Sunday, August 28th from 9-11AM. This month we will continue our “Oak Rescue” effort. Invasive understory bushes crowd out young oak saplings, shading them to death before they have chance to mature. Even the tallest oaks in Sterne’s Woods are losing their lower limbs to competition with the invasives. We’ll cut out buckthorn and honeysuckle bushes beneath two 100+ year old oak trees beside the main trail. Then the native understory plants and oaks will have a chance to thrive again.

THE GROUP

The Oak Rescue is part of a series of monthly volunteer days at Sterne’s Woods & Fen. When the ground is frozen in the winter, we'll be working directly on the fen. We meet on the fourth Sunday of every month from 9-11AM at the Sterne's outdoor pavilion 5617 Hillside Dr. Volunteers will have a chance to learn about restoration ecology and what makes Sterne’s special. Bring a water bottle and a pair of work gloves. The park district will supply the tools and I’ll bring treats. Email Brice Alt, volunteer site steward, to receive updates: bricemaieralt@hotmail.com

THE PARK

Sterne’s Woods & Fen became an Illinois State Nature Preserve in 1994 to preserve and protect its unique ecology. A fen is a rare type of wetland in which cold groundwater that is high in calcium and magnesium seeps to the surface. The unique water chemistry supports plants that grow nowhere else. Sterne’s Fen is home to at least 10 rare or endangered plant species. The surrounding parkland acts as a buffer to the fen and includes prairie, oak savanna, and flatwood ecosystems. Every one of those ecosystems can benefit from the efforts of volunteers. Join us once and month and learn about them!