Forest Preserves of Cook County 2023 Spring Brochure

In a healthy, thriving ecosystem, every species is interconnected. That’s why foraging is illegal in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Poaching has a big impact because it removes key elements ofan ecosystem. Here are some of the highly poached plants, and the important role they have in our local ecosystems. RAMPS, Alliumtricoccum FUN FACT: Also known as wild leek or spring onion, ramps are a spring ephemeral that grow in the moist soil of woodlands and forests. LIFE CYCLE: From seed to harvest, ramps can take Àve \ears or Pore to reaFK a reproductive state. ECOLOGICAL IMPACT: OnFe a raPS SrodXFes its ÁoZer in summer, it provides food to Sollinators inFlXdinJ Eees and Áies WHY YOU SHOULD PROTECT THESE: Ramps take a long time to grow, making it susceptible to over- harvesting. Continued on page 36 MORELS, Morchella FUN FACT: Morels grow in high-quality, sun- dappled woodlands with a good leaf layer and plenty of decaying wood. LIFE CYCLE: What is seen above ground is the fruiting body of a much larger organism, which releases spores tKat Fan take XS to Àve \ears to grow into a fruit-producing organism. ECOLOGICAL IMPACT: Morels are an important food source for local wildlife, including squirrels, raccoons and even insects. WHY YOU SHOULD PROTECT THESE: These decomposers help break down dead plants and animals. ese Plants Bene t Local Ecosystems LEAVE THEM BE! 14 In a healthy, thriving ecosystem, every species is intercon ected. That’s why foraging is illegal in the Forest Preserves of Co k County. Poaching has a big impact because it removes key elements ofan ecosystem. Here are some of the highly poached plants, and the important role they have in our local ecosystems. RA PS, Alliumtricoc um FUN FACT: Also known as wild le k or spring onion, ramps are a spring ephemeral that grow in the moist soil of wo dlands and forests. LIFE CYCLE: From se d to harvest, ramps can take Àve \ears or Pore to reaFK a reproductive state. ECOLOGICAL IMPACT: OnFe a raPS SrodXFes its ÁoZer in sum er, it provides fo d to Sollinators inFlXdinJ Ee s and Áies WHY YOU SHOULD PROTECT THESE: Ramps take a long time to grow, making it susceptible to over- harvesting. Continued on page 36 ORELS, Morchella FUN FACT: Morels grow in high-quality, sun- dap led wo dlands with a go d leaf layer and plenty of decaying wo d. LIFE CYCLE: What is se n above ground is the fruit ng body of a much larger organism, which releases spores tKat Fan take XS to Àve \ears to grow into a fruit-producing organism. ECOLOGICAL IMPACT: Morels are an important fo d source for local wildlife, including squir els, rac o ns and even insects. WHY YOU SHOULD PROTECT THESE: These decomposers help break down dead plants and animals. ese Plants Bene t ocal Ecosyste s 14