Forest Preserves of Cook County 2023 Fall Brochure

“It’s very peaceful and meditative.” Emily Russell Stewardship Program Cooridinator 36 Spring Creek Celebrate Public Lands, continued from page 15. People of all ages can get involved, led by site stewards who work hand- in-work-glove with the resource management team. Their efforts are especially needed to preserve fragile habitats like prairie and oak savannas that evolved over thousands of years but are rapidly disappearing. “We have really high-quality habitat that’s supporting endangered plants and animals,” says Emily Russell, stewardship program coordinator. “They need volunteer stewardship, especially with the pressures of climate change and introduced weedy species that can start taking over natural areas and choke out native plants.” In the fall, this usually means collecting seeds of native plants and spreading them to areas cleared of invasive brush. With trained and certified leaders on hand, volunteers need no experience. “It’s very peaceful and meditative. You can just listen to the birds; you’re touching the plants; it’s a nice way to connect with the site, with the land,” Russell says. Volunteers also can get involved through the Adopt-a-Site program, where a family or group visits throughout the year to pick up litter, as well as the Trail Watch program to create a welcoming environment. “Volunteers are incredibly valuable,” Collings adds. “They become advocates for the site and help us become better stewards because we can be in more places. But not everyone has to become a volunteer. The Forest Preserves belong to the people of Cook County, and we want everyone to be able to appreciate and enjoy these incredible public lands. If they want to also help, that’s great, too.” Image: Seed collecting at Spring Creek.