Spring 2015
www.lbola.org
LBOLA Warmline 847-234-2860
President’s Letter - Larry McCotter
You may have noticed an absence of Monarch butterflies
in the past few years. I remember seeing six last summer,
but was especially shocked when I saw only one the
previous year.
overwintering monarchs. The most significant cause of
their decline (and one that we actually can do something
about) is the huge decline in milkweed plants, plants
that the butterflies depend on for food during their long
migration. Why the decline? The ubiquitous planting of
genetically modified “Round-up Ready” crops means
that agricultural fields are getting sprayed, often from the
air, with Round-up, a broad-spectrum herbicide that will
kill just about any plant that isn’t genetically modified
to resist it. As you might imagine, airborne sprays often
stray outside their target area, affecting nearby native
populations. Where migrating monarchs used to feast
during migration, many are now starving to death.
Monarchs are remarkable in a number of ways. One would
think that the slow moving butterfly would be easy pickins
for hungry predators. However, their showy orange color
is a warning sign that they are quite toxic. Their toxicity
stems from the fact that their lone food source is the
milkweed plant. Monarchs are just about the only insect
that evolved to tolerate milkweed, the source of toxic
cardiac glycosides
There are several reasons for the 90% decline in migrating
monarchs. While millions of butterflies have frozen to
death as a result of unusual recent cold snaps, habitat loss
is the real culprit. Extensive illegal logging in Mexico
has fragmented and reduced the suitable area available to
Fortunately, there remains an opportunity to turn the
situation around. A regional campaign is afoot to replant
milkweed along the migration route. Locally, we have
several native milkweeds readily available for planting,
including Common, Marsh, and Butterfly milkweeds.
See below to learn about our sale.
Milkweed Sale
LBOLA will provide gallon-sized pots at $12.00 per plant. Common and Marsh
milkweed prefer medium to wet conditions while Butterfly milkweed requires dry,
full-sun conditions. Contact us at [email protected] by May 20th to place an order.
Got kids? Don’t forget the joy of watching a monarch chrysalis dangle from the
underside of a milkweed leaf and, if you’re really lucky, watching the monarch
complete its metamorphosis and emerge to continue its extraordinary journey!
Elizabeth Morales
With your help, this amazing butterfly can make its way back from its current
endangered state.
- Larry McCotter
Woodcock Walk
at the Skokie River Prairie Reserve
Saturday April 18, 7:15 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
Join us for our annual observance and celebration of the male
woodcock. Enjoy a spring evening in the beautiful Skokie
Reserve. Plan to dress appropriately for this 90-minute event
that is, in some ways, kid friendly.
Woodcock Chick Rescued During a 2014 Prairie Burn at
the Skokie Reserve. (Don’t worry - Mom was nearby)
Treasurer’s Report
by Al Treft
Earth Day Celebration
LBOLA ended 2014 in approximately the same financial position
as at the end of 2013. Donations were up slightly from the prior
year while expenditures, primarily for summer interns, increased
significantly. Net, we had a slightly positive cash flow and
progressed significantly with our restoration activities, including
over 1,760 summer intern hours worked this year compared with
almost 1,100 hours last year. In addition, volunteers donated over
900 hours of work in our preserves, including over 400 hours from
student volunteers. In total, volunteer hours were up over 12%
from last year.
Volunteers have already contributed over 200 hours in 2015 and
we are always looking for new volunteers to participate in our
restoration efforts. Join us on Sunday mornings, no experience
required. Tools and gloves will be provided. Just check the
workday schedule below, at LBOLA.org, or on Facebook.
Sunday April 26th, 9:00 A.M. - Noon
This year’s Earth Day Celebration will be
at Rockland Wetlands on the NW corner
of Green Bay and Highway 176/Rockland
Road. Activities will include planting
hundreds of new woodland and wetland
transplants to further beautify and diversify
this wonderful entrance to the Village,
home to Western Chorus Frogs and an
occasional turkey. Park at Blair Park (near
the pool). Bring your family and friends,
dress appropriately for conditions, and plan
to get dirty!
This summer we plan to hire 4 or 5 students to assist our
volunteers’ efforts. Students with an interest in the outdoors, the
environment, or environmental restoration should contact us at
[email protected] to see what opportunities may be available.
Fundraising to support student internships is our top priority.
Please consider sponsoring or having your company sponsor an
intern for the summer with a donation of $2,500. If you have any
suggestions for fundraising activities or would like to assist in
these activities contact us at [email protected].
LBOLA also welcomes donations of equipment. To make a
donation call (847) 234-2860 or email [email protected]. All
donations are tax deductible.
Annual Spring Bird Walk
at Uihlein Property
Saturday, May 2nd 8:30 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.
1001 N. Sheridan Road (N. of Crab Tree Farm)
Western Chorus Frog at Rockland Westlands - Photo by Lisa Culp
It’s Burn Season!
Now that the snow is melted and the prairie is dry enough
to burn, LBOLA’s trained volunteer burn crew invites new
volunteers to join us in utilizing the most efficient and
economical tool available for managing our natural areas: Fire.
Controlled burns have a long history in wildland management,
mimicking fires that occurred naturally for thousands of
years. In the spring we concentrate on prairie burns, saving
the woodland burns for the late fall after the dry leaves have
dropped from the trees.
Controlled burning stimulates the germination of native plants
and trees, renewing our woods and prairies, reducing fuel
buildup, and decreasing the likelihood of hotter wildfires later.
continued on page 3
We’ve added a bit of a twist to our Birdwalk
at Crab Tree Farm. This year, for the first time,
we will be conducting the birdwalk just North
of Crab Tree Farm on the property of longtime
LBOLA supporter, the late Edgar Uihlein.
Our birdwalk leader will be the talented and
entertaining Ethan Ellis. Join us early, dressed
for the weather and park along the driveway.
Burning improves the local habitat by knocking back
invasive species not adapted to fire and enables the success
of native plants by exposing their seedbed to sunlight.
Shrubs and herbaceous plants experience a flush of new
growth after a fire and many of the beneficial insects
consumed by birds and bugs are more abundant. Fires
promote flower, seed and fruit production, which increases
food for wildlife, many of which benefit from the periodic
controlled burns which maintain their habitat.
While controlled burns are essential to maintaining our
natural areas, fire is a tool that must be used carefully in
accordance with rules and established standards. Our
experienced team considers a wide variety of factors in
order to safely conduct a burn including fuel load, fuel
moisture, wind speed and direction, relative humidity,
temperature, and smoke dispersal. Preparations are
made in advance to burn most effectively and efficiently
given the short windows of favorable weather, wind,
and moisture levels in the area. Fire breaks are cut as
needed, natural fuels are moved away from the base
of trees and other sensitive areas, adequate supplies
and water are assembled, lines of communication are
established, and crews of trained volunteers are teamed
with new volunteers to ensure correct burn methods. Drip
torches and backpack blowers are checked and fueled.
Rakes, tampers, and metal backpacks full of water are
distributed. ATV’s with large tanks of water are assigned.
Burn Permits are obtained from the IEPA and the Lake
Bluff Fire Department. Finally, we receive specific burn
approval by the Lake Bluff Police Department on the
morning of the burn. Only then do we proceed.
You may have seen large diamond shaped signs along the
side of Green Bay Road or Route 176 indicating Controlled
Burn Ahead or seen smoke off in the Skokie River
Prairie Reserve while a burn takes place. That’s our crew
managing our natural areas and beating back the invasive
species. It’s exhilarating, hard work. If it sounds like
something you might be interested in, come join us. We are
always looking for a few more interested folks to help out.
No experience is necessary and we provide all the water
you can drink.
Conservation Easement Report
Last December, Jack and Renate Schuler donated a
Conservation Easement to LBOLA on a portion of
their property at Crab Tree Farm. The Easement covers
approximately 14.2 acres of restored prairie and woodland
that provides sanctuary and habitat for plants and animals,
specifically grassland birds threatened by loss of habitat,
and a corridor for wildlife to pass from riparian bluffs on
Lake Michigan to nearby natural areas.
View Towards 2014 Schuler Conservation Easement
Their donation was consistent with an overall plan for the
preservation of significant portions of Crab Tree Farm
and surrounding areas. Other portions of Crab Tree Farm
have previously been preserved through donations of
Conservation Easements, including several to LBOLA.
With this generous donation, the Schuler’s intention is
to preserve and protect the conservation values of this
property and Crab Tree Farm for the benefit of generations
to come. Crab Tree Farm is the last working farm
located on Lake Michigan in the State of Illinois and is
in close proximity to four areas that have been identified
as Natural Inventory Sites on the Illinois Natural Areas
Inventory. We thank Jack and Renate for their fabulous
donation and reaffirm our commitment to assure that the
property will be retained predominantly in its natural,
scenic, and open condition and that any indigenous plant
and animal communities located on the property will be
preserved to the extent feasible.
Sponsor an
Intern Program
The coveted “Red Hat” title
is earned for 50 volunteer
hours at LBOLA workdays.
Red Hat specific Workdays
are open to all and focused
on mechanized, seriouslyproductive restoration work.
We hope to hire more local
environmental enthusiasts than ever
this summer!
If you or a local business are
interested in sponsoring an intern,
write [email protected].
Slightly Disheveled Members of the Red Hat Crew:
Al Trefts, Bo Harper, and Bill Nordeen
Garlic Mustard
Help us Eliminate This Invasive Species
Garlic Mustard is the only tall, four-petalled, white flowered plant
that blooms in May in northern Illinois. It is an invasive species that
contains phytotoxins that inhibit the growth of other native trees and
plants, interferes with the root growth of native plants, can be toxic to
the eggs of butterflies, and alters habitat suitability for native insects,
birds, and mammals. It displaces native plants and is a severe threat to
many natural areas because of its ability to exclude other plant species.
Garlic Mustard invades both shaded areas and open woodlands and is
capable of dominating the ground layer in many areas. It can be found
in forests, savannas, along roadsides, and even in our own back yards.
Garlic mustard has a two year life cycle. In the first year, it looks like
a green rosette just 2-4 inches off the ground and remains green all
winter long. In the second year, it will start to flower in May, growing
to be 2-4 feet tall. Its seed pods are 1-2.5 inches long, black, cylindrical,
and grooved and ripen between mid-June and late September. It has
a white slender taproot that is “S” shaped at the top. Most notably, it
is easily distinguished from all other woodland mustard plants by its
characteristic odor of garlic
Other than mankind, Garlic Mustard has no natural enemies and is
not eaten by local wildlife or insects. It is difficult to control once
established since it can cross-pollinate or self-pollinate and has a very
high seed production rate. If it is cut or stepped on, new stems will form
and seeds can form on plants that are cut and left on the ground. Roots
will even grow new stems if they are not completely removed. Its seeds
are small and easily spread by animals (especially dogs and deer), birds,
people, and even water such as flood waters or runoff. Seeds can last in
the soil for at least 10 years.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources recommends hand-pulling
as an extremely effective method of reducing the population and seed
productivity of Garlic Mustard, if the entire root is removed. It can
be done most of the year, but is most effective if done prior to flower
production. It can be equally effective if done in May or early June
and the entire plant is placed in black plastic trash bags and discarded
with the trash to prevent seed dispersal. Do not include the plants in
the yard waste, which is recycled and would further spread the seed
disbursement. Re-sprouts will appear if the root is not removed entirely.
These locations should be monitored regularly and any new growth
should be pulled out, as the seeds can survive for a long time in the soil.
Help stamp-out Garlic Mustard completely in Lake Bluff! Pull out any
plants found in your yard and join the LBOLA volunteers on workdays
this spring to help clean-up our preserves!
Credits to the Illinois and Minnesota DNR’s, the Illinois Natural History Survey, Columbia
University’s Invasion Biology Introduced Species Summary Project and the Report on Garlic
Mustard in King County, WA for the information and photos included in this article.
Thanks to our recent contributors!
Over 90% of donated funds go directly to our mission of restoring Lake Bluff’s Natural areas!
Patron
Friend
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Bent &
The MRB Foundation
Mr & Mrs Edward Carney
Karen & John Crotty
Foundation
Joan & Hal Jones
Terrence & Victoria Kearney
Nels & Liz Leutweiler
Foundation
Margaret Sampson
Jack & Renate Schuler at Crab
Tree Farms
Jack & Renate Schuler & The
Schuler Family Foundation
Tanya Schuler & Jay Sharman
at Crab Tree Farms &
Tanya Schuler, Jay Sharman
The Schuler Family
Foundation
The Sheffield Foundation &
Tom & Lucinda Sheffield
The Robert Sierks Charitable
Lead Trust
Corrine Torkelson
Elizabeth & Dick Uihlein
Jana Wacker
Jean & Dick Anderson
Sue & David Barkhausen
Linda & Russell Bartmes
Kathryn & Walter Begley
Steven M Bisulca
Kathy & Paul Blahunka
Paula & Darrell Bloom
Stevie & Porter Boggess
Louanne & Nell Bruen
Daniel Bryant
The Buckthorns
Cele & Rick Bull
Tracy Burns
George J Burrows
Patty & Dan Charhut
Elizabeth & William Conrad
Beth Coughlin & David Wang
Patricia J Curren
Mary & Neil Dahlman
Brooke & Robert Davis
Jessie V Davidson
Ruth Diab
Suzanne & Wesley Dixon
William O Gentry
Jacklyn & Thomas Gortner
Mr. & Mrs. Francis Gummere
Julie Haas
Ann & William Hart
Morgan Hirst
Faye & Dean Holm
Jim Jacobson
Beth & Joh Keepper
Ingleborg Knauz Trust
Carol Kopriwa
Karl Krueger
Cynthia & James LaDuke
Lake Bluff Garden Club
Lake Forest Garden Club
Ruth & William Lederer
Catherine & Paul Lemieux
Levinson Trust &
Dorothy Eaton Levinson
Ann & Hugh Mazza
Donna & Jerry McDermott
Jean & Bob Meyers
Sandra & George Morton
Phyllis & Simon Moughamain
Katherine & James Murray
Cindy Mycoskie & Steve
Chapman
Benita S Miles Trust
Native Restoration Services
Elizabeth & Robert Nesbit
Paula & Bill Nordeen
Gordon Owen
Susan & William Raymoure
Martha Requa
Margaret S Reuter
Patricia & David Ritter
Carlos & Carlotta Rotman
Carol Russ
Pam & George Russell
Margaret & F L Schmude
Jan & John Schnobrich
Leslie & Peter Smith
Sponsor
Stephen K Brannan
Anonymous
Sheana & Bill Hermann
Suzanne Mullane
Sustaining
Nancy & Robert Beine
Carol & Paul Bettendorf
Pat & Larry Booth
Barbara Bopp
Robert Boyle
Clarissa Chandler
Mary Francour
George & Mary Holstein
Charitable Fund
Lynn & Ned Jessen
Ann Eldred & Robert Johnson
Anonymous
Mr David Mackenzie
Jean McBride Greene
Larry McCotter
Jenny & Michael McMurray
Susie McMurray
P Clifford Miller
Janna & Todd Nugent
Helen & Steven Potsic
Juliet Priebe
Corlene & Michael Rhoades &
the Seven “C” Foundation
Anne & Thomas Rodhouse
Stephena Cook Romanoff
Vicki & Al Trefts
Sophia & Jonathan Twitchell
Union Church of Lake Bluff
Susan & Robert Wittig
Carole & Alfred Stroh
Kris & Bruce Stromberg
Sarah & Matt Sunderman
Anonymous
Karen & Dave Szaflarski
John C Tanner II
Anonymous
Marin & Scott TurnerTurner Trading LLC
Constance & Henry Van der Eb
Ann Vertovec & David Audley
Kathleen & James Warfield
Roycealee J Wood
Barbara & Alain Wood-Prince
Debra & David Zare
Family
Mary & David Andersen
Melinda & Clay Atchley
Atzeff Family
Kathryn & David Brock
Mary Ellen & Jackson Brown
Kristan & Robert Clifford
Susan & Peter Coburn
Mary Collins & Aki Knezevic
Sally & Thomas Coyle
Nancy Jo Crandall
Anonymous
Ann & Stewart Dixon
Lise Eliot & William Frost
Virginia & Winn Fleiss
Anonymous
Margaret & Calvin Gage
Lynne & Bill Graham
Ann & Tom Grant
Chris Grashoff & Sarah Holian
Anonymous
Valerie & Christian Hallen
Kristine & Robert Harley
Sandy & Tom Hart
John Heinze
Suzanne & Philip Henderson
Mary & Fred Herlocker
Sue & Gene Hotchkiss
Nell & John Ireland
Kevin Kerrigan
Cindy Law
Veda Levin
Rita & Kenneth Lewis
Celia & Wilfred Ling
Margaret & Paul Mahan
Ellen & Mark Marwede
Susan & James Mayhall
Lynn & Elliot Miller
Carol Ann & William Minor
Pauline & Roger Mohr
Cynthia & Richard Morehead
Sandra & George Morton
Patricia & William Nissen
Ann & Michael O’Connell
Kristin & Robert Puryear
Amy Rockwell
Sarah & Charles Rowland
Ruth Schnell
Kathy & Jack Sheppard
Dr. & Mrs. Burton Silver
Sally & Ralph Stoll
Mary & Bill Summers
Kathleen & Frank Swanton
Carol Ann Tanna & Family
Ethel & Thomas Tincher
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. Richard F Triptow
Mary Lou & Robert Troyer
Cindy White
Nancy & David White
Judy & Graham Wilson
Katheen & Paul Witt
Nancy & Ron Wick
Virginia & Conrad Zion
Individual
Kathleen Crouch
Cheryl Del Campo
Joyce & Douglas Dewitt
Dominik Duelli
Carol Epkins
Nancy J Ervin
Rita & George Fossell
Mary Francoeur
Jean M Grost
Stanley Hickory
Margaret Howard & Linda
Theroff
Emily Jennings
Helen & Thomas Kerf
Anonymous
Eileen Lerum
Barbara Monsor
Christine & Michael Moses
Anonymous
Marti W Palmer
Dr. & Mrs Marshall Reavis III
Brigid & Herbert Richards
Roland Rives
Marilyn J Shineflug
Chris Skan
Ruth & Jhan Swanson
Sally & Vincent Swoyer
Tena & Howard Tessler
Dianne & John Tiffany
Anne & Thomas Tschanz
Sue & Stephen Ulrey
Blair Waite
Mrs. Hempstead Washburne
Lake Bluff Open Lands Association 2015 Spring/Summer Workday Schedule--Volunteer workdays are Saturdays or Sundays from 9:00 AM - 12:00 noon. Events at the Skokie Reserve & Lake Bluff Forest
Preserve (LCFPD) begin at our parking lot on Hwy. 176, west of the water plant and east of Mariani. For details call the Lake
Bluff Open Lands warmline 847-234-2860 or visit LBOLA.org for preserve locations.
Saturday
Sunday
Thursday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
April 18, 2015
April 19, 2015
April 23, 2015
April 26, 2015
May 3, 2015
May 17, 2015
May 31, 2015
June 14, 2015
June 21, 2015
July 5, 2015
Summer Solstice Event
Sunday, June 21st 7 P.M. - 10 P.M.
Adults: $25.00
Children under 21: $10.00
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 112
LAKE BLUFF, IL
60044
LFHS at Oriole Grove (LCFPD)
Red Hats at Rockland Wetlands
L.F. Academy Volunteer Day
EARTH DAY at Rockland Wetlands
Red Hats at Skokie Reserve
LFHS at Skokie Reserve
Red Hats at Skokie Reserve
Red Hats at Skokie Reserve
Summer Solstice Celebration
Red Hats at Skokie Reserve
Park at Skokie Reserve lot
Park at Blair Park - L B Park Dist.
Park at Skokie Reserve lot
Park at Blair Park - L B Park Dist.
Park at Skokie Reserve lot
Park at Skokie Reserve lot
Park at Skokie Reserve lot
Park at Skokie Reserve lot
Lake Bluff Beach
Park at Skokie Reserve lot
The Summer Solstice kicks off the entire season. Following our second
Polar Vortex and record ice cover on the Lake, come on down to the beach
and join us for a celebration of the longest day of the year and the beginning
of summer! We will meet at the Sunrise Beach South Shelter at 7 P.M. for
beverages, our infamous LBOLA pot-luck dinner, and lots of fun.
There will be a cash bar.
For additional info, contact us at [email protected]
Lake Bluff Open Lands Association
P.O. Box 449
Lake Bluff, Illinois 60044
(847)234-2860