The Deer Grove East restoration project currently underway is expected to restore 25.5 acres of historic wetland habitat and enhance 14.5 acres of existing wetland.
Openlands, the contractor completing the project, worked with ecologists from FPDCC, the Army Corps of Engineers and other partner agencies to create the master restoration plan.
We recently received an update from Openlands about the ongoing project, including details on a new community volunteer group for Deer Grove East.
Last winter, Openlands completed clearing/thinning of dead trees in the gypsy moth damage area in the west portion of the project area (north of the paved trail). They also installed 3 rock weir structures along the drainage way in the woodland portion of the project area to hold back more surface water in select wetland basins.
Native seeding and plugging of the prairie and wood land portions of the project started this year. In addition, this fall there were native shrubs planted in 3 locations in the woodland part of the project area. Temporary tall fencing (darker colored fencing) was placed around the shrub plantings to protect them from deer damage.
Scouting for and treatment of invasive species and woody resprouts continued spring through fall. There was some tweaking of the water control features of the site intended to help restoration of select wetlands and keep surface water from getting onto the paved trail.
This coming winter Openlands intends to complete the last of the woody removal/thinning called for in the project plan. The clearing acreage is relatively small and no temporary trail closures are anticipated as a result of this work.
In an effort to get more people involved in the site and its long term management, Openlands is partnering with the FPDCC, Audubon-Chicago Region, and Sierra Club to recruit a volunteer group for Deer Grove East. The initial information and volunteer recruitment event took place over Columbus Day weekend. Approximately 60 people attended the event and the fledgling volunteer group–Friends of Deer Grove East–has established a website and Facebook page for themselves. These sites have more information about the group and how to get involved at the Deer Grove East preserve.
