Campton Township
Parks & Open Space
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It seems like we got so caught up in our prescribed burn season, and the transition to the growing season, that we missed last month's newsletter! Now that things have (briefly) calmed down, we can get back on track. This does feel a little like the calm before the storm, because as the weather warms we will be running on all cylinders to complete our growing season projects. Already we have begun cool season weed control, been conducting Spring wildlife studies, and kicking off a busy season of events.
Looking back over the last month, we had a fantastic prescribed burn season. This was made possible with the amazing support from our volunteers. When we haven't been burning, we have been focused on finalizing Winter invasive brush clearing projects, finalizing various planting projects, and preparing for the growing season.
We are looking forward to warmer weather, and a great summer. We hope to see you all out enjoying the parks!
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This month, instead of featuring a volunteer position, we want to give a shout out to the amazing volunteers that make our program possible. Since April 2018, volunteers have logged over 1200 hours with us. All this hard work goes towards providing higher quality natural areas and programs for our community.
A very special shout out goes to Volunteer Steward Tim B. who was honored at our 2019 Annual Township Meeting as the 2018 Volunteer of the Year. Tim has been contributing to our program for years in many aspects, always ready to help with prescribed burns, leading hikes, seed collection and more. However, he is most known for his management of our bird monitoring program, a program that would not exist with out his support.
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Check out some more of our Stewards in action, and if you feel inspired by them, we would love to have you join us!
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Support for our program goes beyond volunteering as well. At our annual meeting we also had the honor of recognizing the Kane County Forest Preserve District as our 2018 Supporter of the Year. Since the Open Space program was founded, the KCFPD has been a tremendous supporter. By providing guidance, training, donations, and other resources, they have helped us grow from a small grass-roots citizen group, to the strong community program you know today. We look forward to an ongoing partnership with them for many years to come.
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Join us on May 5th from 9-10:30am for a spring wildflower walk at Corron Farm. During this expert led walk, you will have the opportunity to see some of our beautiful spring wildflowers, and learn about the work being done to protect and restore them. This free event is open to all ages, please dress for the weather.
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Corron Farm Wildflower Walk
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LOCATION
7N761 Corron Rd.
DATE AND TIME
05/05/19
9:00am -
05/05/19
10:30am
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Join the Skyline Council of Landmarks Illinois & Campton Township as they relocate the historic, 1852 Whitney Schoolhouse! This exciting undertaking will help preserve the pre-Civil War schoolhouse, which is the second-oldest intact one-room schoolhouse in northeastern Illinois.
The schoolhouse will move less than 1.5 miles from its current location in Campton Hills to Gray Willows Farm. At its new site, Skyline Council and Campton Township will continue to restore the schoolhouse with the ultimate goal to re-purpose it as an environmental education center.
Join us for Landmarks Illinois & Skyline Council's first-ever schoolhouse move! All are welcome!
WHEN
Friday, May 17, 2019*
*Weather-permitting
WHERE
Arrive at Gray Willows
5N949 Corron Road, Campton Hills
between 9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
Onlookers will be able to see the historic schoolhouse move along Burlington Road and arrive at Gray Willows Farm.
*Anyone arriving after 10:30 a.m. will likely have to wait to enter until after the schoolhouse has cleared the farm entrance.
CELEBRATION
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Music & festivities follow the move!
Food will be available for purchase.
Ecologist led wagon tours of the Gray Willows Farm restoration.
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We would like to thank the Campton Township Open Space Foundation for their generous donation of $2,500 to the Open Space Program. Their support helps us as we strive to provide the best program possible.
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Controlling invasive weeds is one of our most important (and time consuming!) jobs for maintaining health in our natural areas. Many of these weeds originate from surrounding properties, such as your backyard. By controlling weeds on your property, you can not only improve habitat on your property, but help in improving our Township natural areas!
This months featured weed is:
Wild Chervil
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Anthriscus sylvestris
Wild Chervil is an herbaceous biennial native to Europe that grows up to 3.25 ft, forming extensive stands that out-compete native vegetation. Seeds are easily transported by vehicles (primarily mowers), people, and animals. Wild Chervil is often seen in ditches and property lines, and prefers light shade. Wild Chervil has a similar appearance to Queen Anne's Lace, however, Wild Chervil blooms much earlier in the Spring.
Control can be done in multiple ways. Herbiciding is the most effective, however, caution should be used in herbicide selection and application to avoid harm to desirable species. One of the best times to herbicide Wild Chervil is very early spring, since it greens up considerably sooner than other native species. Hand pulling can be effective on small areas, be sure to remove the entire root. Finally, repeated mowing may be partially effective.
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Wild Chervil Photo Credit:Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
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Become a Citizen Scientist
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Knowing what calls our natural areas home is an important part of our restoration efforts. You can help us as we work to generate these inventories. By utilizing the INaturalist website/app, you can submit observations of the interesting plants/animals that you see when you visit our parks.
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For more information about Campton Township Parks/Open Space contact us at:
OpenSpacePrograms@CamptonTownship.com
Or Call: 630-549-7947
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