final report - illinois dnr€¦ · organization to benefit conservation. * to provide volunteers...

FINAL REPORTWOLF ROAD PRAIRIE CONSERVATION CAMPUS CONCEPT PLAN

WILDLIFE PRESERVATION FUND GRANT #03-047W

IntroductionThe Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve offers an unequaled destination for conservationeducation, natural and human history awareness and enjoyment, scientific study andrestoration ecology. Wolf Road Prairie also provides a location for teacher training,seminars, cultural programs, nature arts, a nature center and museum and NativeAmerican exhibits and interpretation . The preserve is easily accessible by majorhighways .and, expressways within highly populated Chicagoland and is drawingvisitors from all over the world .

To better serve the conservation needs of the public and wildlife for now and thefuture, an inventory of the features and benefits of Wolf Road Prairie has been compiledin the Concept Plan for the development of a Conservation Campus. These multi-levelfeatures combine to create a broad spectrum of attractions and services all located at oneof the richest and most diverse natural areas in Illinois . The Plan, has been developed toappeal to visitors, protect rare natural .resources and promote olf Road Prairie as aconservation destination and education hub .

Materials

The objective of the Campus Plan is to create wider awareness and appreciation ofthe features of Wolf Road Prairie for public education and natural resource protection .In order to accomplish this purpose, a 32-page, full color publication was developedand designed . The Plan features a front cover cutout revealing a close-up of beautifulwild bergamot blossoms. When the cover page is turned open, a fill color diversityphotograph of Wolf Road Prairie in summer covers the page as a mid-landscape view .

The following materials were used to develop the pages of the Plan :

1 . Articles written by natural resource and environmental economicprofessionals .

2 . A species list identifying the 360 native plants of Wolf Road Prairie withLatin and common names.

3 . A bird species census list compiled from 1983 to 2003 .4 . Seasonal, close-up and landscape photos .

5 . An aerial photo of Wolf Road Prairie and buffer .

6 . Photos of students and adults touring the preserve and visiting the PrairieHouse nature center.

7. Original artwork.

8 . A c. 1808 map showing the tribal boundaries of the Potawatomi village ofSauganakka which included Wolf Road Prairie and bufferlands .

9 . A site map identifying the features, locations and uses of Wolf Road Prairie,bufferlands and compatible structures .

10 . Principles of ecological land management and bird habitat requirements .

11 . Historic and philosophical quotes .

12 . Descriptions of prairie and the ecosystem features of the preserve.

13 . Original text describing Wolf Road Prairie and the Campus Plan and whyWolf Road Prairie is ideally suited to be the site of a Conservation Campus .

14 . Lists of partners, including the Illinois Department of Natural Resources,advisors, volunteers, artists, photographers and Save the Prairie Society boardmembers and a direction map to Wolf Road Prairie .

15 . A summary of how Wolf Road Prairie and the Campus Plan fulfill the goalsand purposes of Chicago Wilderness .

Methods

Initially, a draft Campus Concept Plan was developed and circulated to partners andconsultants for discussion and comment. Photos, images, species lists and original artwere gathered, and information and text written and compiled . The plan was laid outpage-by-page, integrating written material with photos and artwork reflective of thetheme and topic of the page . Over 300 hours were devoted by volunteers to writing,typesetting, research and sizing and selection of graphics, followed by proofreading andcontacting area printers to determine which printer would provide the best service andprice. Subsequently, camera-ready pages of the Plan were delivered to Unique Printersalong with original photos. Unique Printers agreed to print the Plan for $1,000 .00, theamount of the grant, and donate the remainder of the cost of printing for 1,000 copiesof the 32-page full color Concept Plan valued at $5,000 .00 .

Results

The Campus Plan was originally intended to be 16 pages long with only four firll-color pages. But as the Plan evolved, additional critical and supportive informationwas added to create a more thorough, factual and comprehensive booklet, bringingthe Plan to 32 pages. As a result, the expanded Plan contains many more features andphotos and better lays out the concept for the development of a Conservation Campusat Wolf Road Prairie. The Plan will be distributed to elected officials, natural resourcemanagers, conservation agencies and groups, educators, professionals, the media andthe public for the purposes of promotion of conservation issues and values andeducation outreach. The Plan will be adapted to the Save the Prairie Society website(www.savetheprairiesociety.org) with links to the Illinois Department of NaturalResources and the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission websites when funding is

Ii

.available to transfer the Conservation Campus Concept Plan to our site . We will publishinformation about the Plan in our newsletters and Annual Report to members and makecopies available upon request .

Discussion

The Conservation Campus Concept Plan presents a blueprint to develop Wolf RoadPrairie into a world-renowned conservation destination and educational resource . ThePlan identifies the need for additional buffer acquisition to protect the watershed andbiodiversity and enlarge the preserve as recommended by natural resource experts . ThePlan serves as a guideline for potential uses of land and structures in order to offer a widevariety of programs, studies and events designed to appeal to a diverse conservationaudience, create awareness of conservation, historic and cultural values and establishsocietal benefits which result from the preservation and protection of the originallandscape features and human history of Illinois .

Summary

The Wolf Road Prairie preservation project has benefited from private and publiccollaborative partnerships for over 25 years, resulting in land acquisition, nativeecosystem restoration, native plant propagation, cultural and historic programs andconservation education programs . Over 2,000 students participate in outdoor classroomactivities and field trips at Wolf Road Prairie each year offered without charge and ledby Society volunteers . Free programs scheduled for adults are held at the Prairie HouseNature Center monthly. Special events such as National Public Lands Day, Settlers Dayand Prairie Fest are held annually . These kinds of programs and services are expected togrow once the Concept Plan moves from the visionary phase to implementation anddevelopment.

The nucleus of the Conservation Campus at Wolf Road Prairie is already in place andfunctioning with the Prairie House Nature Center serving, as the gateway to the preserve .But it is the potential for growth and greater public outreach that excites the imagination .The Campus Plan lays the groundwork for this Wolf Road Prairie of the future .

Sltdes/Photos

There are no slides or photos of the Plan available, as the Plan itself is the product . Weare providing IDNR with a dozen copies of the Plan at this time . More copies can beobtained at any time .

Expenditures

Cost of printing - funded by grant - 1,000 copies$1,000.00Value of donated printing costs - Unique Printers$5,000.00Value of hours donated by volunteers to write, design,

lay out, obtain photos, artwork and supporting materialsand finalize completion of the Plan300 hours @ $10.00 per hour $3,000.00

Total Cost of Project $9,000.00

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A SAMPLING OF NATIVE PLANTSAT WOLF ROAD PRAIRIE

WRP Concept Plan - Page 4

ContentsSave the Prairie Society

July, 2003

6

The Role of Save the Prairie Society7-9

Wolf Road Prairie Conservation Campus10-11

Features and Benefits of the Conservation Campus12

Protecting Biodiversity at Wolf Road Prairie13

Native American Peoples--Potawatomi Influence14

Campus Plan Fulfills Chicago WildernessBiodiversity Recovery Plan Recommendations

16-17

Special Feature -- Conservation Campus Concept MapColor-coded for ease of reference

1920-212223-2626272831

Valuing the EnvironmentWolf Road Prairie EcosystemsManaging Wolf Road Prairie for BiodiversityWolf Road Prairie Native Plant Species ListBird Monitors' GoalWolf Road Prairie Bird CensusThe PrairieSave the Prairie Society, Partnerships and Travel Map

PHOTO GALLERY

3

Summer at Wolf Road Prairie4

A Sampling of Native Plants at Wolf Road Prairie15

Wolf Road Prairie -- The Place to Go for Nature Education18

Hickory Lane--Pastoral Landscape in the Heart of Chicagoland29

Aerial View of Wolf Road Prairie and Hickory Lane Buffer30

Scenes of the Seasons at Wolf Road Prairie

Save the Prairie Society10327 Elizabeth, Westchester, IL 60154

This Concept Plan was funded in part by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

from contributions to the Illinois Wildlife Conservation Fund andthe generosity of Unique Printers, Cicero, Illinois

THE ROLE OF SAVE THE PRAIRIE SOCIETYAT WOLF ROAD PRAIRIE IS . . .

* To partner with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources,the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and the IllinoisNature Preserves Commission as a not-for-profit supportorganization to benefit conservation .

* To provide volunteers to assist with the management andrestoration of Wolf Road Prairie and buffer .

* To conduct educational programs, field trips, prairie toursand classroom visits at Wolf Road Prairie .

* To seek funding through grants and private donations toenhance public ownership and protection of biodiversityof Wolf Road Prairie and buffer.

* To conduct native plant propagation on buffer to the prairieand encourage scientific study .

* To sponsor programs, activites and events as a public service,develop nature exhibits and promote conservation awarenessvalues .

WPR Concept Plan - Page 6

WOLF ROAD PRAIRIE Conservation Campus-- Microcosm of Illinois Landscapes

WRP Concept Plan -- Page 7

For over a quarter century, Save the PrairieSociety has focused on preserving and restoringWolf Road Prairie, protecting and enhancing bio-diversity at the preserve and conducting conser-vation and outreach programs .

When we began our work, the prairie movementwas in its infancy. Saving Wolf Road Prairie facedincredible odds, and in the beginning, few peoplethought it could be done . Then as land in theprairie began to be acquired and restoration wasintroduced, Wolf Road Prairie became an inspira-tion for other challenging preservation projects .

Now, Save the Prairie Society envisions WolfRoad Prairie assuming a new leadership role--one that takes conservation education and publicoutreach to a broader level of awareness andparticipation . As more and more visitors gravitateto the site seeking information on native ecosys-tems, natural resource protection and restoration,stewardship of the land and conservation educa-tion programs, Wolf Road Prairie is emerging asthe ideal location for a Conservation Campus .

The original landscapes of Wolf Road Prairie setthe backdrop for this rich nature learning experi-ence at an easily accessible location close to majorhighways just 12 miles west of the Chicago Loop .Situated within the core suburbs of highly populatedcentral Cook County, Wolf Road Prairie takes visi-tors back over 10,000 years to a time when thelast glaciers had retreated and the famed grass-lands and oak and hickory savannas of northeasternIllinois, abundant wildlife and first humans arrivedto a warming and hospitable ancient world .

More recently, the French, English and Spanishleft their marks upon the history of Illinois as theyexplored the territory and interacted with nativepeoples. By the early 1 800's, a surge of Europeansettlers moved into Illinois, and the displacement offrontiersmen and the tribes of the Great Lakesregion began. The vast wilderness which had re-mained virtually unaltered by human presence formillennia was transformed within a short span oftime into farms, towns and cities, and centuries'old cultures connected to living in harmony with theland vanished with the prairies, wetlands andforests .


Today, Wolf Road Prairie, considered the largestand finest original black soil prairie east of theMississippi River, remains a link to that richnatural and human history of our past. The PrairieHouse Nature Center located at the north end ofthe preserve, believed to be the oldest structurein Westchester, traces its origins to the Germansettlement of Franzosenbusch and contains withinits walls the c . 7 852 first Lutheran school inProviso Township . It was here that those settlersalso held their first community meetings andchurch services .

Now the Prairie House is taking on a new life . Asthe Gateway to Wolf Road Prairie and the Conser-vation Campus, the Prairie House is a welcomingcenter to thousands of visitors annually. It is aplace where rich local history is interpreted envel-oped by vistas of original tall grasses and colorfulwildflowers unlike any other scene in Illinois.

The nucleus of the Conservation Campus at WolfRoad Prairie is already in place and functioning,but it is the potential for growth and greaterpublic outreach that excites the imagination. Itis here that a broad spectrum of opportunities forconservation learning and enjoyment come togetherto create a one-of-a-kind natural and human historyeducational hub . Nature studies and prairie tours,Native American studies and displays, teachertraining programs, scientific research, historicalresearch, international conservation collaboration,a natural history library, native plant propagation,ecosystem restoration, nature arts and much moreprovide a diverse yet fully compatible curriculumof programs, events, exhibits and outreach designedto attract visitors while promoting the value andimportance of conservation .

A key component of the Wolf Road Prairie Conserva-tion Campus Plan focuses upon the Hickory Lanebufferlands. Experts recommend that Wolf RoadPrairie be enlarged to protect its watershed andbiodiversity, and restoration already underway onseveral Hickory Lane bufferland properties is demon-strating how lands adjacent rich natural areas canserve as recovery sites and benefit native speciesand wildlife .

Although opportunities to acquire and restore sensi-tive sites are rapidly being lost to developmentsprawl and other urbanized uses throughout Illinois,the window is still open to acquire more bufferlandsat Wolf Road Prairie and work with interested pri-vate landowners who may wish to preserve theirlarge spacious properties before they are lost tohigh density development .

The investment in dollars and efforts to realizethis vision may be challenging, but as Wolf RoadPrairie gains greater recognition, prestige and ac-claim as a world renowned conservation educationcenter and hub, the rewards and benefits to thenatural world and to the public in years to comewill far outweigh the costs and committments ofthe present .

The Campus Plan lays the groundwork for this WolfRoad Prairie of the future .


FEATURES AND PUBLIC BENEFITSOF THE WOLF ROAD PRAIRIECONSERVATION CAMPUS

1852 Prairie House Museum Nature Center . . .Gateway to Wolf Road Prairie Conservation Campus

Wolf Road Prairie is drawing visitors from all over the worldand has no equal in the Chicago Wilderness area or in theState of Illinois as a conservation hub. The multi-level at-tractions of natural resource preservation, conservation,education, native ecosystem restoration, Native Americancultural interpretation, historic preservation and nature artscreate a campus environment which appeals to a broadspectrum of visitor interests and showcases the incrediblediversity and versatility of the Wolf Road Prairie Eco-Region .

Attractions of the Wolf Road Prairie Conservation Campusinclude :

• Preservation and restoration of rare and imperiled prairie,savanna, wetland, stream corridor and pond ecosystemsat one easily accessible location

*Prairie House Nature Center featuring rotating naturalhistory exhibits, programs, demonstrations and specialevents

•

Rare native genotype seed bank and seed gardens

•

Native plant propagation demonstration site with greenhouse and seed processing facility

* Scientific and restoration research facilities

•

Internship programs

•

Watershed recovery and demonstration site in the WestCook Salt Creek Basin

* Senior citizen programs and tours

* Teacher training, outreach programs and Chicago Wilder-ness West Cook Hub training site

* Collaborative educational programs with regional institu-tions - i .e . Triton College, University of Illinois at Chicago,College of DuPage, Northeastern Illinois University, RobertMorris College, Brookfield Zoo, Riverside-Brookfield HighSchool, Proviso East and West High Schools, local gradeschools, special adult education programs and Chicago areaunderserved schools such as Jackie Robinson, O'Toole andElvalor

•

Natural history library collection

•

Student ecology and group tours and orientations

* Facilities for workshops and seminars for resource managers,conservation organizations, officials, media and educators


* Native American cultural programs and interpretive exhibitsand facilities

* Adaptive re-use of existing publicly owned structures onbufferlands for educational programs, classes, presentations,learning opportunities and teacher training

* Cultural programs, including nature art, writing, photography,videodocumentation and early settler and Native Americancrafts, exhibits and interpretation

* Native plant heritage and heirloom gardens

* Native American food, spiritual and medicinal gardens

* A trail system linking to the Salt Creek Greenway

* Restoration and furnishing of the c . 1852 Franzosenbuschschoolroom and teacherage as a museum within the PrairieHouse Nature Center

* Early settler genealogical study programs and research library

* Connection to the underground railroad and Civil War period

* Historic re-enactments and free public programs, tours,presentations and events

* Tourism destination attracting local, statewide, national andinternational visitors and cultural exchange programs

Note: The Campus Plan includesWolf Road Prairie, 60 acres ofHickory Lane Bufferlands, ThePrairie House Museum/NatureCenter with links to the SaltCreek Greenway and Bemis WoodsForest Preserve .

Living Prairie League

Midwest SOARRINGFoundation

WRP Concept Plan -- Page 11 .

FranzosenbuschPrairie House

Museum/Nature Center

PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY ATWOLF ROAD PRAIRIE

Wolf Road Prairie should be maintained as highquality prairtie, wetland and savanna ecosystemsby protecting, managing, and restoring pre-set-tlement vegetation and ecosystem processes,maintaining natural communities and speciesdiversity, and restoring native plant and animalspecies to the extent possible within the con-straints of the preserve's size and urban contexts .Planning is needed for buffering or enhancing theinteraction between Wolf Road Prairie and itssurrounding environment and providing a highquality educational research resource that doesnot compromise the integrity of the natural area .

The importance of maintaining adequate buffer forWolf Road Prairie has been recognized by theIllinois Nature Preserves Commission, Illinois De-partment of Natural Resources, Forest PreserveDistrict of Cook County and Save the PrairieSociety. The communities present in Wolf RoadPrairie and the associated neighboring lands area complex assemblage of living things co-existingin communities, and it is more important to ex-amine these systems from the viewpoint of bio-diversity.

The present environmental conditions of sites likethe Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve continue toinclude many of the requisite factors such as fer-tility, stability of climate and adequate moisture .The Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve today,however, is a small island of natural area com-pared to that which existed in the area now calledWestchester prior to settlement .

In order to adequately insure the future of thispreserve and its attendant biodiversity, it isnecessary to continue ecosystem restoration andmanagement and most importantly to include asmuch land surface as possible from an ecologicalperspective and include the greatest possiblediversity .

Excerpt from the Wolf Road Prairie ManagementPlan by Martin Bowles, The Morton Arboretum


NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLES --The Potawatomi Influence at Wolf Road Prairie

The historic boundaries of the Potawatomi village of Sauga-nakka covered an extended geographic area in DuPage andCook counties which included portions of Wolf Road Prairieand Hickory Lane as indicated on the map. A signal station,chipping stations, camps, mounds and trails were character-istic of this settlement along Salt Creek until displacementof most Native Americans occurred following the BlackhawkWar of 1832. An arched trail tree still remains on HickoryLane, a reminder of use of this area by native peoples .

In the early 1850's, Christian Thiele came to America fromHanover, Germany and opened a general store at the inter-section of Cermak and Wolf Roads in the Franzosenbuschcommunity very near to the location of the famous villageof Sauganakka .

During this time, Potawatomi whostill remained in the vicinity tradedat Thiele's General Store accordingto Thiele's son, Henry, in a storyprinted in the April 13, 1932edition of the Westchester Tribune.

"In the store, which he opened inthe back of the house, he had theusual stuff a country store carriedin those days. He had some cloth-ing, hay, supplies and barreled porkand barreled whiskey which he soldat 12 to 15 cents a gallon, retail .

"There were still a lot of Indiansin those days, and they had a habitof coming to our place to buy. Wenever sold them any liquor for itwas against the federal law . Theyused to trade a lot of their furs forsupplies . They stayed near thebanks of Salt Creek, I suppose be-cause trapping was better there,and many's the time when I was alad I could see the sharp top of awigwam against the sky."

Today, the rich history of NativeAmericans of the region is nearlyforgotten as subdivisions, corpo-rate complexes and shoppingcenters cover the lands of oldnative villages, out-stations andsacred burial sites .

Tribal Boundaries of Sauganakkacirca 1808


The Wolf Road Prairie Conservation Campus, located withinthe boundaries of Sauganakka, presents the ideal opportun-ity to establish an archival and interpretive center honoringthe lives and cultures of Native American people of the re-gion. In this historically accurate landscape setting, thisheritage can be preserved from extinction and educationalexhibits, displays, programs, classes and a research librarycan be developed for public knowledge and appreciation .

The name, Potawatomi, which is derived from the Chippewalanguage, is believed to mean "People of the Place of Fire" .Indian legend says that the Potawatomi, Chippewa and 0t=tawa were once all members of one tribe which traveledfrom the north to settle around Lake Huron and laterdivided into three separate tribes .

As the Potawatomi moved south-ward, they settled in parts of Wis-consin, Michigan, Indiana and northeastern Illinois .

The Potawatomi were allied withthe French until the peace of 1763 .Some were allied with the Englishin the War of 1812 .

In the treaty of September 26,1833 at Chicago, the Potawa-tomi ceded most of their landsto the United States and beganto leave the territories of theirancestors.n

In early times the Potawatomi4

made their clothing of tannedanimal hides and furs . Men woremocassins, leggings, breech-cloths, garters, leather shirtsand occasionally belts. Theywore feathers and fur turbans ashead decorations and fur robesduring winter. Clothing was dec-orated by painted designs and

Prairie and

dyed quill work. When tradeHickory Lane goods became available, they

,~ used glass beads and appliqueT' work to decorate their clothing .

4 According to Thomas McKenney

+ +

and James Hall in History of thea-t

Indian Tribes of North America,T

"Some are six foot in height .They have a rather dark com-plexion, remarkably high andprominent cheekbones, blackeyes and black hair with a slighttendancy to curl ."

WOLF ROAD PRAIRIE CAMPUS PLANFULFILLS CHICAGO WILDERNESSBIODIVERSITY RECOVERY PLANRECOMMENDATIONS

"Chicago Wilderness refers to nature and to thepeople and institutions that protect it . Many ofthe surviving natural communities of the Chicagoregion are of national and global significance forconservation . The region is blessed with bothrichness and opportunity for conservation ."

Biodiversity Recovery Plan - 1999

The Wolf Road Prairie Conservation Campusaddresses these selected goals of the ChicagoWilderness Recovery Plan :

1 . Involves the citizens, organizations andagencies of the region in efforts to conservebiodiversity

2. Improves the scientific basis of ecologicalmanagement

3. Protects globally and regionally important naturalcommunities

4. Restores natural communities to ecological health

5. Manages natural communities to sustain naturalbiodiversity

6. Develops citizen awareness and understanding oflocal biodiversity to ensure support andparticipation

7 . Fosters a sustainable relationship between societyand nature in the region

8 . Enriches the quality of lives of the region's citizens

The Campus Plan implements these selected goalsat Wolf Road Prairie by :

1 . Creating and managing a larger preserve andworking with public agencies to acquire andrestore bufferlands

2 . Understanding and mitigating urban threats

3 . Protecting priority areas and endangered species

4. Expanding ecological management researchand monitoring

5. Including watershed management in thepreserve design

6. Developing educational and communicationprograms and outreach

7. Creating a long-tern vision and recovery goalfor rare terrestial communities

8. Recording human history on the land

9. Developing a research station for the preser-vation and propagation of native genotypes


WOLF ROAD PRAIRIE--THE PLACE TO GO FOR NATURE EDUCATION


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Natural History Libra

Greenhouse

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IDNRNature Arts

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CONSERVATION CAMPUSCONCEPT PLAN MAP

The Wolf Road Prairie Campus Plan Map identifiesnative plant and ecosystem landscape recovery sitesand adaptive re-uses of existing structures forseminars, scientific study sessions, conservationworkshops, teacher training, cultural interpretiveprograms, historic archives, Native American

Wolf Road Prairieexhibits and many more public purposes and benefits.

Harrier Marsh Lookout/Study Site --Elevated permanent observation platformoverlooking wetlands - #9 Hickory Lane

Greenhouse/Propagation Plots --Seed processing and plant propagationfacilities - #9 Hickory Lane

Heritage Center --Exhibits and programs highlighting early settle-ment history and the Civil War period of the area --#8 Hickory Lane

Nature Arts Center --Painting, photography, music, crafts, classesexhibits and journal writing - #5 Hickory Lane

Savanna Restoration --An open grown savanna recovery and scientificstudy site on 10 acres of original savanna soil -# 1 Shagbark Lane & #6 Hickory Lane

IDNR/FPDCC Security/Admin . OfficeSatellite educational facility and work site forenvironmental studies -- #2 Hickory Lane

Welcome/Native American LodgeInformal greeting area and program site forvisitors -- Midwest SOARRING Native Ameri-can museum and exhibits -- #7 Hickory Lane

Pond/Wetland Restoration --Adding an additional ecosystem feature topreserve --#1 Hickory Lane

Education/Training Center --Teacher training classrooms with site for pondand wet prairie restoration -- #7 Aloha Lane

31st Street Information Kiosk --Twin Wolf Road Prairie exhibit cases holdingrevolving displays, data and Calendar of Events atWolf Road Prairie

WRP Concept Plan -- Page 1 6

HICKORY LANEBUFFERLANDS

WPR Concept Plan -- Page 1 7

PRAIRIE STREAM RECOVERY MARSH

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SEDGE MEADOWMESICSAVANNA AND WET PRAIRIE

Franzosenbusch Prairie HouseMuseum/Nature Center --Gateway to Wolf Road Prairie featuring natural,cultural and historical exhibits and programs

Heritage Gardens --A series of colorful theme gardens spanning the150 year history of the Franzosenbusch PrairieHouse including Native American, German immigrant,WW II "Victory" and a dozen other floral displays

Heritage Trail --A 1/2 mile north/south pathway leading from thePrairie House to the 31 st Street savanna

Buffer Trail --Leads westward from the Prairie House to HickoryLane Campus Complex, then south to 31st Street

STPS Education/Research Center - -Training facility for professional and public studyand research - #9 Hickory Lane

Natural History Library --Over 5,000 volume collection of nature books plusthousands of natural history magazines --#9 Hickory Lane

Stream Corridor Recovery --Water flow and stream bank restoration to enhancewater quality and prevent erosion through plantingsof native genotypes -- #9 & #70 Hickory Lane

Native Species Propagation Beds --Plantings of approximately 40 species of grassesand forbs from original Wolf Road Prairie seed -#9 and #70 Hickory Lane

Learning "Cabin in the Woods" --Nature programs and activities in an open areaespecially suited for scout groups and students --#70 Hickory Lane

HICKORY LANE --PASTORAL LANDSCAPE IN THE HEART OF CHICAGOLAND

VALUING THE ENVIRONMENTby Jeff Swano

SALT CREEK WATERSHED NETWORK

The exact value of a tract of open space is generallydifficult to estimate . The primary reason for this isbecause its value in environmental economic termsis the sum of each individual's demand curves (valuesthat individuals place on the specific tract) plus theenvironmental services the tract provides for society(e.g . cleaning water if it is a wetland, providing oxygenif it is a forest, etc .) .

Essentially, economics is the study of human behaviorsand the changes in behaviors based on information andindividual preferences and values . Environmental eco-nomics is the way individuals behave given the state ofthe environment. In order for biodiversity to bevaluedas a benefit to humans, the value that humans apply tobiodiversity must be measured .

Values can be obtained through observation of behaviors,surveys to individuals and reasonable comparisons withknown market values . Some values are intrinsic, andsociety agrees that they are important but cannot put anexact value on it . In these cases, it is easier to measurethe damages or losses to that unknown intrinsic value .

General environmental concepts such as environmentalservices, biodiversity and eco-tourism can be explained .At a minimum, all these concepts can come together toform an acceptable model that can be used to commu-nicate intrinsic and extrinsic values .

Measurable Traits of Environmental Services

•

Potential for drinking water usage•

Cleaning water (wetlands and phytoremediation)and pollutant assimilation/absorption

•

Air to breath (oxygen production)•

Purifying air (carbon sequestration)•

Flood control and rainfall storage

Measurable Traits of Biodiversity

•

Number of species (with rarity implying higher values)•

Population numbers within each species•

Interconnectedness among species (value of food chain)•

Aesthetic values and human enjoyment of biodiversity(eco-tourism)

Measurable Traits of Eco-Tourism

• Aggregate (round trip) travel costs including time,distance, gas, and prorated transportation (equip-ment and insurance)

•

Time spent at the site•

The actual recreational activities participated in•

Availability of nearby similar attractions•

Labor hours provided by volunteers to enhance thesite which leads to an increased asset value

•

Amenities at the site

WRP Concept Plan -- Page 7 9

Studies show that for each dollar

spent by IDNR for outdoor rec-reation, another $25 is generated

for Illinois' economy.-Outdoor Illinois, April 2002

Environmental Services

Estimating environmental services is based on logicalcomparisons to known market variables combined withscientific observations. For example, 5,000 gallons ofwater entering a wetland contain 65 parts per million(ppm) of total suspended solids (TSS) and water exitingthe wetland contains 25 ppm TSS . The wetland pro-vides filtration services removing 40 ppm per 5,000gallons per day. The results can be compared tomechanical filtration systems, assimilated and presentedin a unified manner .

In order to create and manage large preserves, landholdings in public ownership and potential acquisition sitesshould be assessed . Investment in land acquisition callsfor determining which sites provide the biggest returnfor the investment based upon environmental services,valuing biodiversity, eco-tourism and the presence ofthreatened and endangered species . Greater emphasisshould be placed on land acquisition as a means of pro-tecting rare species because of the inherent higher . values(due to rarity) and the potential for a higher return oninvestment. Priority should be given to creating complexesof communities since many animal species are dependentupon a variety of habitats which also creates value .

More research is needed to determine the value of asingle plant species based on its relationship to or depen-dence on specialized biological or environmental factorssuch as specific pollinators, soil microorganisms, hydro-logical conditions, soil chemistry or soil parent materials .Models can be developed to lay out the relative valuesthat the environment confers onto the plant species, theplant species onto the general health of an ecosystem andthat ecosystem's general value to humans in numerousways. Public recognition of the value of biodiversity isimportant to achieving conservation goals .

The easy part of valuing ecosystems is that is it merelythe sum of all individuals' demand curves . The problemwith valuing ecosystems is that everyone values the en-vironment differently which is heavily based on levels ofeducation . Understanding that educating the public resultsin an increased value of the environment without anyphysical alteration to the environment has a profoundmeaning, and places emphasis on education as a means forincreasing environmental values.

Jeff Swano, environmental economist and founding Execu-tive Director of the Salt Creek Watershed Network, has 75years experience in environmental economic analysis, con-taminated property assessment, solid waste managementand watershed protection .

WOLFROADPRAIRIEEcosystemsThe 80 acre Wolf Road Prairie is

+w--considered the largest remainingtract of typic silt loam prairieeast of the Mississippi River .Over 360 native plant specieshave been recorded, includingstate and federally listed threat-ened and endangered speciessuch as the prairie fringed orchid,bearded wheat grass and whitelady slipper orchid. More than300 insect species and 28 rem-nant dependant butterflies andmoths, including three found no-where else in Illinois, have beenrecorded. The natural area alsocontains a large wetland and aglobally imperiled black soil sa-vanna, one of the rarest eco-systems on earth .

PRAIRIE


PRINCIPLES OF ECOLOGY

It is essential to develop a landscape-level preserve design forWolf Road Prairie . The existing landscape characteristicsshould be interpreted in a hierarchical scale that relates tolandscape preserve design theory,. and the planning processshould anticipate the need for more public open space andexpanded conservation education, professional study, heritageprogramming and events in the decades ahead .The principles of ecology that result in high biodiversity canbe grouped into two categories ; those relating to spatial aspectsof communities ; and those relating to biological aspects. Thefollowing list is not inclusive of all possible principles butcontains those that pertain to the need to acquire additionalacreage or provide adequate buffer that is maintained ac-cording to sound ecological concepts . These ecologicalprinciples are more fully described in the text LandscapeRestoration Handbook by Harker, Evans, Evans and Harker,1993 .

SAVANNA Spatial Principles--

Large areas of natural communities sustain more species than small areas .It is absolutely essential to preserve as many large natural areas as is possible in singletracts and expand the size of smaller tracts to maintain biodiversity .

Fragmentation of habitats, communities and ecosystems reduces diversity .The reduction in size of natural areas reduces diversity . It is essential to maintain the sizeof natural areas especially those that have been reduced to islands surrounded by develop-ment or dissimilar habitat types . In the case of Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve there isdevelopment on the north and east . In addition fragmentation is also present on the southside in the form of 31st Street . Even this narrow corridor interferes with speciesmigration and ultimately reduces diversity .

Isolated patches of natural communities sustain fewer species than closelyassociated patches. The area known as Hickory Lane located to the west of the WolfRoad Prairie Nature Preserve contains remnants of oak savanna, a closely associatedcommunity to the prairie . The communities should continue to coexist in close associationin order to maintain diversity .

Ecotones between natural communities are natural and support a variety ofspecies from both communities as well as ecotone specific species .Ecotones, or transition zones between communities, are aninherent part of the Wolf Road Prairie complex . Theprairie blends into the remnant oak savanna areato the west. This blend between the true prairieand the oak savanna increases

+z'overall biodiversity .

WETLANDS Biological Principles--

Full restoration of native plant communitiessustains diverse populations . Introducing or pre-serving as many components of the natural ecosystemas possible is essential to maintaining biodiversity .An increase in the structural diversity ofvegetation increases species diversity . The WolfRoad Prairie Nature Preserve is under an ecosystemmanagement plan designed to increase the structuraldiversity of the prairie . The remnant oak savanna andbufferlands to the west should be managed, restoredand enhanced to increase structural diversity as well .

' Excerpts from Biodiversity and the Wolf Road PrairieNature Preserve, Ralph Thornton,FPDCC--9/2/93


-- Mammds of

Wolf Road Prairie_

MANAGEMENT TEAMRECOMMENDATIONS• Open the core interior of the preserve by removing

invasive brush and compensate for shrub loss withnative species on buffer edges for bird and wildlifeneeds .

• Employ prescribed burns, seasonal mowing, herb-icide treatment of invasive species, weed removal,seed collection and seed dispersal . Mowing reducesinvasive shrub biomass and is beneficial to prairievegetaion as it allows grasses and forbs the oppor-tunity to become more aggressive and revitalized .The combined method of mowing and buming .i s asuccessful strategy at Wolf Road Prairie .

• Remove all buckthorn and dogwood. Removal oftrees requires approval of landowners based onspecies and size .

•

Implement mechanization/heavy equipment withoutresulting in soil and vegetation damage .

•

Consider adjacent property owners privacy . Main-tain brush screens and eventually replace exoticswith native species .

•

Maintain transition zone of flowering crabs andother fruit trees for bird habitat and for springscenic beauty at the northwest section of the pre-serve until native shrubs and trees can be selectedand introduced .

•

Propagate and relocate native genotype plants tobufferland to preserve rare species and to expediteecosystem recovery and enhancement .

•

Mitigate sedimentation and erosion impacts to thehydrology and biodiversity of the preserve andimprove water quality through aquatic enhancementprojects resulting in the overall enrichment of thepreserve .

•

Maximize plant biodiversity . Integrate bufferland for

MANAGING WOLF ROAD PRAIRIEFOR BIODI VERSI TY

The management goal is to develop a balanced restoration and ecosystem plan whichwill stimulate native plant populations and preserve and sustain wildlife habitat .

Management decisions also take into consideration that visitors to Wolf Road Prairieenjoy binding, hiking, observation of wildlife, photography and related nature

appreciation and that nature tours and outdoor classroom field trips provide a basicpublic expectation at the site .


use by migratory and nesting birds . Considerhabitat requirments of raptors. Maintain as wide avarierty of bird species known to Wolf RoadPrairie as possible .

•

Expand nursery beds for native plant propagationand seed production . Collect seed throughout theyear as crops become available . Develop and ex-pand partnerships for the propagation and pro-duction of local genotypes to be returned as plantsor seed to Wolf Road Prairie buffer and restorationlocations. Example: Chicago High School for Agri-cultural Sciences, UIC, Salt Creek Nursery, Savethe Prairie Society buffer beds, etc . Monoculturebeds produce mass quantities of seed but eventu-ally will begin the transition "to the wild" . Beginpropagation of native hazel shrubs .

Begin aggressive buffer aquisition on unprotectedHickory Lane properties to :

•

Maintain sensitive open space and buffer eco-system features for restoration.

•

Prevent edge effects and encroachment byinvasive species .

•

Prevent mitigation of contaminants such as lawnchemicals and parking lot run-off from incom-patible dense development and prevent intrusioninto the preserve by light and sound pollution .

•

Mitigate altered hydrology by restonng aquaticecosystems on Hickory Lane Buffer.

• Prevent impacts on sensitive breeding areas forbirds, insects, and wildlife by unregulated humanactivities, poaching and domestic pets .

•

Develop a long range conservation plan to protectthe integrity and character of Wolf Road Prairieand the priceless value and enjoyment of thepreserve by the public .

MANAGEMENT TEAM STPS Volunteers Midwest SOARRINGDan Kirk, IDNR Jack Pizzo, Tom Hintz, Phil FoundationSteve Byers, INPCBill Koenig, FPDCC

Cihlar, Valerie Spale, LarryGodson, Elizabeth Plonka,

Joseph Standing Bear, Gregg,Bill Gramm, Nick RoachJohn Raudebush, FPDCC, Jack Shouba, Ron Kumnick,

Dr. Darrel Murray, UIC Tim Burke, Greg Jerzek

WOLF ROAD PRAIRIEPLANT SPECIES LIST

Compiled by Jack Shouba and Dr . Darrel Murray -- 2000Illustrations : Jill Jarom, Terryl Shouba


Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Common Name

Acer negundo Box Elder Aster puniceus firmus Shining Aster

Acer saccharinum Silver Maple Aster sagittifolius drummondii Drummond's Aster

Acnida altissima Water Hemp Aster sagittifolius sagittifolius Arrow-leaved Aster

Agalinis tenuifolia Slender False Foxglove Aster simplex Panicled Aster

Agrimonia gryposepala Tall Agrimony Astragalus canadensis Canadian Milk Vetch

Agropyron trachycaulum unilaterale Bearded Wheat Grass Baptisia leucantha White Wild Indigo

Agrostis hyemalis Tickle Grass Bidens cernua Nodding Bur Marigold

Agrostis perennans Thin Grass Bidens frondosa Common Beggar's Ticks

Agrostis scabra Fly-away Grass Bidens vulgata Tall Beggar's Ticks

Alisma subcordatum Water Plantain Boehmeria cylindrica False Nettle

Allium canadense Wild Onion, Wild Garlic Boltonia latisquama False Aster

Allium cemuum Nodding Wild Onion Bromus kalmii Prairie Brome

Ambrosia artemisiifolia elatior Common Ragweed Prairie Indian PlantainAmbrosia trifida Giant Ragweed Cacalia plantaginea

Lead Plant Calamagrostis canadensis Blue Joint GrassAmorpha canescens

gerardii Big Bluestem Grass Camassia scilloides Wild HyacinthAndropogonAndropogon scoparius Little Bluestem Grass Cardamine bulbosa Bulbous Cress

Anemone canadensis Meadow Anemone Caret annectans Small Yellow Fox Sedge

Carex atherodes Hairy-leaved Lake SedgeAnemone cylindrica Thimbleweed Copper-shouldered Oval SedgeAnemone virginiana Tall Anemone Carex bicknellii

Anemonella thalictroides Rue Anemone Carex blanda Common Wood Sedge

Carex brevior Plains Oval SedgeAntennaria neglecta Cat's Foot

Carex buxbaumii Dark-scaled SedgeAntennaria plantaginifolia Pussy Toes Crested Oval Sedge

americana Ground Nut Carex cristatellaApios Carex lacustris Common Lake SedgeApovynum androsaemifolium Spreading Dog Bane Broad-leaved Woody Sedge

sibericum Prairie Indian Hemp Carex pellitaApocymumArabis glabra Tower Mustard Carex pensylvanica Common Oak Sedge

Arenaria lateriflora Wood Sandwort Carex rosea Curly-styled Woody Sedge

Arisaema dracontium Green Dragon Carex sartwellli Running Marsh Sedge

Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-Pulpit Carex stricta Common Tussock Sedge

exaltata Poke Milkweed Carex tenera Narrow-leaved Oval SedgeAsclepiusAsclepias incamata Swamp Milkweed Carex tricocarpa Hairy-fruited Lake Sedge

Asclepias Purple Milkweed Carex vulpinoidea Brown Fox Sedgepurpurascens

Asclepias sullivantii Prairie Milkweed Carya cordiformis Bitternut Hickory

syriaca Common Milkweed Carya ovata Shagbark HickoryAsclepiasAsclepias tuberosa Butterfly Weed Castilleja coccinea Indian Paintbrush

Ceanothus americanus New Jersey TeaAsclepias verticillata Whorled Milkweed HackberryAster Sky-blue Aster Celtis occidentalis

azureusAster ericoides Heath Aster Cicuta maculata Water Hemlock

Aster laevis Smooth Blue Aster Circaea lutetiana Enchanter's Nightshade

Circium discolor Pasture ThistleAster lateriflorus Side-flowering Aster

Cirsium muticum Swamp ThistleAster novae-angliae New England Aster Spring BeautyAster Hairy Aster Claytonia virginica

pilosusAster praealtus Willow Aster Comandra umbellata . False Toadflax

Convolvulus sepium Hedge Bindweed

Scientific Name

Coreopsis palmataCoreopsis tripterisCorn us obliquaCornus racemosaCorpus stoloniferaCorylus americanaCrataegus crus-galliCrataegus mollisCrateagus punctataCryptotaenia canadensisCuscuta glomerataCuscuta polygonumCyperus strigosusCypripedium candidurn

Danthonia spicataDesmodium canadenseDodecatheon meadia

Echinacea pallidaEchinochioa crusgalliEchinocystis lobataEgrostis frankiiEleocharis acicularisEleocharis compressaEleocharis ellipticaEllisia nycteleaElymus canadensisElymus villosisElymus virginicusEpilobium cbloratumEquisetum arvenseEquaseturn hyemaleEragrostis frankiiErechtites hieracifoliaErigeron annuusErigeron canadensisErigeron philadelphicusErigeron strigosusEryngium yuccifoliumErythronium albidumEuonymous atropurpureusEupatorium altissimumEupatorium maculatumEupatorium purpureumEupatorium rugosumEupatorium serotinumEuphorbia corollataEuphorbia maculata

Fragaria virginianaFraxinus pennsylvanicaFraxinus pennsylvanica subintegerrla

Galium aparineGalium asprellum

Common Name

Prairie CoreopsisTail Coreopsis

Blue-fruited DogwoodGray Dogwood

Red-osier DogwoodAmerican HazelnutCockspur Hawthorn

Downy HawthornDotted Hawthorn

HonewortRope Dodder

Knotweed DodderLong-scaled Nut Sedge

White Lady's Slipper

Poverty Oat GrassShowy Tick Trefoil

Shooting Star

Purple ConeflowerBarnyard GrassWild Cucumber

Sandbar Love GrassNeedle Spike Rush

Flat-stemmed Spike RushGolden-seeded Spike Rush

Aunt LucyCanada Wild Rye

Silky Wild RyeVirginia Wild Rye

Cinnamon Willow HerbHorsetail

Tall Scouring RushSandbar Love Grass

FireweedAnnual Fleabane

HorseweedMarsh FleabaneDaisy Fleabane

Rattlesnake MasterWhite Trout Lily

WahooTall Boneset

Spotted Joe Pye WeedPurple Joe Pye Weed

White SnakerootLate Boneset

Flowering SpurgeEyebane

Wild StrawberryRed Ash

Green Ash

Annual BedstrawRough Bedstraw

WPR Concept Plan -- Page 24

Scientific Name

Galium borealeGalium concinnumGalium obtusurnGalium tinctoriumGalium triflorumGaura biennisGentiana andrewsiiGentiana flavidaGentian puberulentaGeranium maculatumGeum aleppicumGeum canadenseGeum laciniarum trichocarpumGleditsia triacanthosGlyceria striata

Habenaria leucophaeaHackelia virginianaHelenium autumnaleHelianthus grosseserratusHelianthus rigidus (H. laetiflorus)Helianthus strumosusHeuchera richardsoniiHieracium canadenseHydrophyllum virginianumHypericum majusHypericum punctatumHypericum pyramidatumHypoxis hirsutaHystrix patula

Iris virginica shreveiIsopyrurn biternaturn

Juglans nigraJuncus dudleyiJuncus greeneiJuncus interiorJuncus tenuisJuniperus virginiana crebra

Krigia biflora

Lactuca canadensisLathyrus palustrisLathyrus venosusLeersia oryzoidesLemna minorLepidium virginicumLespideza capitataLiatris asperaLiatris pycnostachya

Liatris spicataLilium michiganeseLilium philadelphicumLithospermum canescens

liWolf Road Prairfe5

Common Name

Northern BedstrawShiny Bedstraw

Wild MadderStiff Bedstraw

Sweet-scented BedstrawBiennial GauraClosed Gentian

Yellowish GentianDowny GentianWild GeraniumYellow AvertsWhite AvensRough AvensHoney Locust

Fowl Manna Grass

Eastern Prairie Fringed OrchidStickseed

SneezeweedSawtooth Sunflower

Prairie SunflowerPale-leaved Sunflower

Prairie Alum RootCanada HawkweedVirginia Waterleaf

Sand St . John's WortSpotted St. John's Wort

Great St . John's WortYellow Star-GrassBottlebrush Grass

Blue FlagFalse Rue Anemone

Black WalnutDudley's RushGreene's Rush

Inland RushPath RushRed Cedar

False Dandelion

Wild LettuceMarsh Vetchling

Veiny PeaRice Cut Grass

Small DuckweedCommon Peppergrass

Round-headed Bush CloverRough Blazing StarPrairie Blazing Star

Marsh Blazing StarMichigan Lily

Prairie LilyHoary Puccoon

1Wolf Road Prairfel

WPR Concept Plan -- Page 25

--Native Wanes of

(0Wolf Road Prairlej

CommonName

Climbing False BuckwheatWoodland KnotweedEastern CottonwoodLarge-toothed Aspen

Quaking AspenLarge-leaved Pond Weed

Common CinquefoilWhite Lettuce

Rough White LettuceGlaucous White Lettuce

Self healWild Plum

Wild Black CherryChoke Cherry

Common Mountain Mint

Swamp White OakScarlet Oak

Bur OakRed Oak

Black Oak

Yellow ConeflowerSmooth Sumac

Poison IvyStaghorn SumacWild Gooseberry

Marsh CressSunshine RoseEarly Wild Rose

Pasture RoseIllinois Rose

Common BlackberryCommon Dewberry

Black RaspberryYankee BlackberryBlack-eyed Susan

Sweet Black-eyed SusanPale Dock

Common ArrowheadPeach-leaved Willow

Pussy WillowBlue-leaved Willow

Prairie WillowSandbar Willow

ElderberryClustered Black Snakeroot

Hard-stemmed BulrushDark Green Rush

River BulrushRed Bulrush

Great BulrushMarsh Skullcap

Mad-dog Skullcap

Scientific Name Common Name Scientific NameLobelia spicata Pale Spiked Lobelia Polygonum scandensLudwigia altemifolia Seed box Polygonum virginianumLudwigia palustris Marsh Purslane Populus deltoidesLudwigia polycarpa False Loosestrife Populus grandidentataLycopus americanus Common Water Hoarhound Populus tremuloidesLycopus uniforus Northern Bugle Weed Potamogeton amplifoliusLysimachia ciliata Fringed Loosestrife Potentilla simplexLysimachia hybrida River Loosestrife Prenanthes albaLysimachia lanceolata Lance-leaved Loosestrife Prenanthes asperaLythrum alatum Winged Loosestrife Prenanthes racemosaMalus ioensis Iowa Crab Prunella vulgarusMentha arvensis Wild Mint Prunus americanaMimnlus ringens Monkey Flower Prunus serotinaMonarda fistulosa Wild Bergamont Proms virginianum

Oenothera biennis Pycananthemum virginianurnCommon Eveming Primrose

Oenothera pilosella Prairie Sundrops Quercus bicolorOnoclea sensibilus Sensitive Fern Quercus coccineaOsmorhiza claytonii Hairy Sweet Cicely Quercus macrocarpaOsmorhiza longistylus Smooth Sweet Cicely Quercus rubraOxalis stricta Common Sorrel Quercus velutinaOxalis violacea Violet Wood Sorrel Ratibida pinnataOxypolis rigidior Cowbane Rhus glabraPanicum implicatum Old-field Panic Grass Rhus radicansPanicum oligosanthes Scribner's Panic Grass Rhus typhinaPanicurn virgatum Switch Grass Ribes missourienseParthenium integrifolium Wild Quinine Rorippa palustrisParthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia Creeper Rosa arkasanaPedicularis canadensus Wood Betony Rosa blandaPenstemon calycosus Smooth Beard Tongue Rosa carolinaPenthorum sedoides Ditch Stonecrop Rosa setigeraPetalostemum purpureum Purple Prairie Clover Rubus allegheniensisPhlox glaberrima Marsh Phlox Rubus fagellarisPhlox pilosa Prairie Phlox Rubus occidentalisPhragmites australis Common Reed RuRubus pensilvanicusPhysalis heterophylla Rudbeckia hirtaClammy Ground CherryPhysalis subglabrata Rudbeckia subtomentosaTall Ground CherryPhysostegia virginiana Prairie Obedient Plant Rumex altissimusPhytolacca americana Pokeweed Sagittaria latifoliaPilea pumila Clearweed Salix amygdaloidesPlantago rugelii Red-stalked Plantain Salix discolorPlatanus occidentalis Sycamore Salix glaucophylloidesPodophyllum peltatum May Apple Salix humilisPolygala sanguinea Field Milkwort Salix interiorPolygonatum senega Seneca Snakeroot Sambucus canadensisPolygonum amphibium Water Knotweed Sanicula gregariaPolygonum coccineurn Water Heartsease Scirpus acutusPolygonum hydropiper Water Pepper Scirpus atrovirensPolygonum lapathifolium Heartsease Scirpus fluviatilisPolygonum pensylvanicum Pinkweed Scirpus pendulusPolygonum punctatum Smartweed Scirpus validusPolygonum ramosissimum Bushy Knotweed Scutellaria epilobiifoliaPolygonurn sagittaturn Arrow-leaved Tear Thumb Scutellaria laterifora

Scientific NameScutellaria parvulaSenecio pauperculusSilene stellataSilphium integrifoliumSilphium lacinatumSilphium terebinthinaceumSisyrinchium albidumSium suaveSmilacina racemosaSmilacina stellataSmilax lasioneuraSolarium amencanumSolidago altissimaSolidago canadensisSolidago giganteaSolidago graminfoliaSolidago graminfolia nuttalhSolidago gymnospermoidesSolidago junceaSolidago missouriensisSolidago nemoralisSolidago riddelliiSolidago rigidaSolidago ulmifoliaSorghastrum nutansSparganium eurycarpumSpartina pectinataSphenopholis obtusataSpiraea albaSpiranthes cernuaSporobolus heterolepisStachys palustrisStachys tenufoliaStellaria longifolia

Teucrium canadenseThalictrum dasycarpumThalictrum dioicumThalictrum revolutumTilia americanaTradescantia ohiensisTrillium recurvarumTriosteum aurantiacumTypha augustifoliaTypha latifolia

Ulmus americanaUlmus rubraUrtica procera

Verbena bracteataVerbena hastataVerbena urticifoliaVernonia altissimaVernonia fasciculataVeronicastrum virginicumVicia americanaViola affinisViola pedatifidaViola pubescensViola sagittataViola sorodaVitis riparia

Zizia aurea

Common NameSmall Skullcap

Balsam RagwortStarry Campion

Rosin WeedCompass Plant

Prairie DockCommon Blue-eyed Grass

Tall Water ParsnipFeathery False Solomon's Seal

Starry False Solomon's SealCommon Carrion Flower

Black NightshadeTall Goldenrod

Canada GoldenrodLate Goldenrod

Common Grass-leaved GoldenrodHairy Grass-leaved GoldenrodViscid Grass-leaved Goldenrod

Early GoldenrodMissouri GoldenrodOld-field GoldenrodRiddell's Goldenrod

Stiff GoldenrodElm-leaved Goldenrod

Indian GrassCommon Bur ReedPrairie Cord Grass

Prairie Wedge GrassMeadowsweet

Nodding Ladies' TressesPrairie Dropseed

WoundwortMarsh Hedge Nettle

Stitchwort

GermanderPurple Meadow RueEarly Meadow RueWaxy Meadow Rue

BasswoodCommon Spiderwort

Red TrilliumEarly Horse Gentian

Narrow-leaved CattailCommon Cattail

American ElmSlippery ElmTall Nettle

Creeping VervainBlue Vervain

Hairy White VervainTall Ironweed

Common Ironweed .Culver's Root

American VetchLeConte's Violet

Prairie VioletYellow Violet

Arrow-leaved VioletCommon Blue Violet

Riverbank Grape

Golden Alexanders

WRP Concept Plan

Wolf Road Pralrle__-

BIRD MONITORS' GOALThe Wolf Road Prairie landscape recovery plan should ensurethe survival of native plant species, provide habitat for areasensitive: birds and other wildlife in stress caused by loss ofopen space and developmental sprawl and create a sustain-able ecosystem for greater migration stopovers.A driving principle should be the development of a bird net-work to monitor bird populations and species at Wolf RoadPrairie .

Birdwatching is a popular outdoor activity for Wolf RoadPrairie visitors. Attracting birds to the site is a key goal foreducation and enjoyment.

CONCLUSIONS OFBIRD MONITOR TEAM• Clear the core area of the preserve to open a vista from

end to end, but leave existing cottonwoods and somehedgerows on the western edge of the prairie and theeastern edge of buffer for bird habitat .

•

Focus on savanna birds such as the Baltimore and orchardorioles, red-headed woodpecker, warblers and buntings .Restoration, enhancement and enlargement of the savannaecosystem is crucial to these bird species under threat .

•

Maintain a 1 5-foot wide privacy hedge along Wolf Road,Constitution Drive, Ashley Woods and Hickory Lane .Phase in replacement of non-native brush with nativeshrubs such as hazelnut, American plum, Hawthorn, etc .Consider propagation of hazelnut from site genotypes toreplace non-native shrubs .

•

Preserve pine trees on Hickory Lane being used for nestingby red-tailed hawks . Preserve some snags and clusters oftrees for perching by hawks and other birds . Maintain otherrequired raptor habitats for kestrals, Cooper's hawk, NorthernHarrier and owls known to the preserve .

• Work to attract shrubland birds such as chats, rufous-sidedtowhees, willow flycatcher, field sparrow and breeders suchas yellow warbler, common yellowthroat, kingbirds, Cooper'shawk, downy woodpecker, flicker and red-bellied woodpecker.Establish small stands of native brush in the buffer areas tocompensate for the removal of brush in the preserve coreto attract field sparrows and other birds requiring brushyhabitat .

•

Wetland birds known to Wolf Road Prairie may be in declinesuch as the sora rail, swamp sparrow, sedge wren, Virginia rail,etc. Improve habitat in the wetland to attract these birdsby. aggressively removing Common reed, phragmites australis.Add some hackberries .

• Consider adding some bluebird houses, re-positioning someunsuccessful bluebird houses to new locations and continuemonitoring. Address issues of nest predation .

Page 26

Double-crested CormorantGreat Blue HeronGreat EgretGreen-backed HeronBlack-crowned Night-HeronCanada GooseWood DuckMallardNorthern PintailBlue-winged TealNorthern ShovelerTurkey VultureOsprey (one time)Northern HarrierSharp-shinned HawkCooper's HawkBroad-winged HawkRed-tailed HawkAmerican KestrelPeregrine Falcon (one time)Ring-necked PheasantVirginia FailSoraSandhill CraneKilldeerLesser YellowlegsSolitary SandpiperSpotted SandpiperLeast SandpiperPectoral SandpiperCommon SnipeAmerican WoodcockRing-billed GullRock DoveMourning DoveBlack-billed CuckooYellow-billed CuckooEastern Screech-OwlGreat Horned OwlCommon NighthawkChimney SwiftRuby-throated HummingbirdBelted KingfisherRed-headed WoodpeckerRed-bellied WoodpeckerYellow-bellied Sapsucker

WOLF ROAD PRAIRIE BIRD CENSUSCompiled by Vivian McDermott -- 1983-2003

Downy WoodpeckerHairy WoodpeckerNorthern FlickerOlive-sided FlycatcherEastern Wood-PeweeAlder FlycatcherWillow FlycatcherLeast FlycatcherEastern PhoebeGreat Crested FlycatcherEastern KingbirdTree SwallowBarn SwallowBlue JayAmerican CrowBlack-capped ChickadeeTufted TitmouseRed-breasted NuthatchWhite-breasted NuthatchBrown CreeperHouse WrenWinter WrenMarsh WrenGolden-crowned KingletRuby-crowned KingletBlue-gray GnatcatcherEastern BluebirdVeeryGray-cheeked ThrushSwainson's ThrushHermit ThrushWood ThrushAmerican RobinGray CatbirdNorthern MockingbirdBrown ThrasherCedar WaxwingNorthern ShrikeEuropean StarlingWhite-eyed VireoBlue-headed Vireo (Solitary)Warbling VireoPhiladelphia VireoRed-eyed VireoTennessee Warbler

Nashville WarblerYellow WarblerChestnut-sided WarblerMagnolia WarblerCape May WarblerBlack-throated Green WarblerYellow-rumped WarblerBlackburnian WarblerPalm WarblerBay-breasted WarblerBlackpoll WarblerBlack and White WarblerAmerican RedstartNorthern Water ThrushCommon YellowthroatWilson's WarblerCanada WarblerYellow-breasted ChatScarlet TanagerNorthern CardinalRose-breasted GrosbeakIndigo BuntingDickcisselRufous-sided TowheeAmerican Tree SparrowChipping SparrowField SparrowSavannah SparrowFox SparrowSong SparrowSwamp SparrowWhite-throated SparrowWhite-crowned SparrowHarris' SparrowDark-eyed JuncoRed-winged BlackbirdEastern MeadowlarkCommon GrackleBrown-headed CowbirdOrchard OrioleNorthern OrioleHouse FinchPine SiskinAmerican GoldfinchHouse Sparrow

WRP Concept Plan - Page 2 7

BIRD Jeff Braun, Illinois Natural History Survey Francie Stotz, The Field Museum

MONITOR Carol Fialkowski, The Field Museum John Skach, bluebird monitor at WRPConrad Fialkowski, Chicago Audubon Society Vivian McDermott, Chicago Audubon Society

TEAM Douglas Stotz, The Field Museum Valerie Spale, Save the Prairie SocietyPhil Cihlar, Save the Prairie Society

"It was not until aftercrossing the river DesPlainesthat I became fully sensibleof the beauty and sublimityof the prairie. They embrace

every texture of soil andoutline of surface . . ."

The splendor of the Illinois prairie inspired PatrickShieriff, a Scottish farmer, to write these words in

1833 . In those days, early settlers found a vast land-scape of waving grasses and scattered hardwood groves .

Often growing to the legendary height of a man onhorseback, the prairie was well adapted to the high

winds, varying rainfall, hot summers and frigidwinters of the Midwest.

15,000 years ago, what is now Illinois was covered bymile-high glaciers . After the glaciers receded, boreal

forests replaced the ice . As the climate became warmerand drier, oaks and hickories infiltrated the pines andspruces, and prairie began its steady expansion into

Illinois. About 8,000 years ago--the origins of WolfRoad Prairie date back to these ancient times--tall

grass prairie covered over 70% of the state . Today,less than one one-hundreth of one percent of the

original prairie remains .


THE PRAIRIE

SCENES OF THE SEASONSAT WOLF ROAD PRAIRIE


Save the Prairie SocietyGoverning BodyPhil. CihiarJoseph Standing BearJeanne HalamaKenneth SpeltValerie SpaleTim BurkeMary CrayLarry GodsonTom HintzLinda NoonanElizabeth Plonks

Steve BosseEric EngleJim HodappJack PizzoRon KumnickJennie MlksulaMickey Monsen

PresidentVice-President

SecretaryTreasurer

Executive DirectorDirectorDirectorDirectorDirectorDirectorDirector

Associate DirectorAssociate DirectorAssociate DirectorAssociate DirectorAssociate DirectorAssociate DirectorAssociate Director

Save the Prairie Society

Advisory BoardDr. Robert Betz, Northeastern, Illinois UniversityCarol Fialkowski, The Field MuseumConrad Fialkowski, Chicago Audubon SocietyDr. Cynthia Gehrie, Video Documentation StudioEdward Lace, Forest Preserve District of Cook CountyDr. Darrel Murray, University of Illinois/ChicagoDr. Ronald Panzer, Northeastern Illinois UniversityDr. Virginia Turner, Brookfield Zoo/Robt . Morris CollegeSusan Van Horn, Artist/Graphics DesignerDr. Gerould Wilhelm, Conservation Design Forum

Wolf Road Prairie

Conservation Campus PartnersChicago Wilderness Ecosystem PartnershipForest Preserve District of Cook CountyFranzosenbusch Heritage SocietyGreat Lakes Aquatic Habitat FundIllinois Department of Natural ResourcesIllinois Environmental Protection AgencyIllinois Nature Preserves CommissionLiving Prairie LeagueLower DesPlaines Ecosystem PartnershipMidwest SOARRING FoundationNortheastern Illinois Planning CommissionOak Park Conservatory Junior Naturalist ProgramSalt Creek Greenway AssociationSalt Creek Watershed NetworkSave the Prairie SocietyU. S . Army Corps of Engineers

WOLF ROAD PRAIRIE. , , a dedicated

Illinois Nature Preserve--just 12 miles west of downtown Chicago-

is located at the NW corner of Wolf Roadand 31st Street in Westchester, Illinois

1-290N

CROSSROADS OFTHE HISTORICCOMMUNITY OFFRANZOSENBUSCH

22 ND STREET

Corsrrrunoh move

WOLF ROADPRAIRIENATUREPRESERVE

31 ST STREET

30K

003

FRANZOSENBUSCHPRAIRIE HOUSE

Easily reached from

EISENHOWER EXPRESSWAY

Exit southbound on Wolf Road

. . . go 3 miles

or

TRI-STATE TOLLWAY

Exit East on Ogden or 22nd St .

to Wolf Road

FREE PARKINGalong 31st Street bays on north side

or Prairie House parking lot

final report - illinois dnr€¦ · organization to benefit conservation. * to provide volunteers...

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