|
|
|
|
|
Note: Some browsers will clip this email. Please click the "View the entire message" toggle at the bottom left corner to view the complete journal.
|
|
|
PHNRC Chairperson Agnes Wojnarski with her dog Flora
|
|
PHNRC Chair Wojnarski to Receive Unsung Heroine Award from Cook County
In a late January phone call, the NRC learned that our esteemed colleague and Chairperson Agnes Wojnarski, was selected to receive one of 18, Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroine awards given out annually by the Cook County Commission on Women's Issues.
The awards are presented in observance of Women's History Month. Recipients are based on their vital contributions to their communities, families and professions. "I was in shock when I received the call as I knew nothing about it," remarked Wojnarski. "I had to let it sink in. It is such an honor to be recognized among such outstanding women leaders from Cook County."
The Commission learned that Wojnarski was nominated to the committee by Mayor Helmer and Izabella Redlinski, Conservation Ecologist at the Field Museum. The awards are to be presented in March at a breakfast ceremony in Chicago.
|
|
|
Campers take to the microscopes at the Park District/PHNRC summer Nature Camp.
|
|
Park District Approves PHNRC Funding for 2020
The Natural Resources Commission learned in late January that the Prospect Heights Park District has approved funding for the Commission's restoration activities for the 2020-1 fiscal year. "This is such wonderful news! We are grateful to Executive Director Christina Ferraro, Board President Tim Jones and all the members of the Board," said PHNRC Chair Agnes Wojnarski. "This funding goes a long way towards helping us be able to keep up with our commitments to the Park District, the City of Prospect Heights, residents and the flora and fauna at our restoration sites. On behalf of all the Commissioners and our Volunteers, I want to offer our sincere thanks and appreciation."
|
|
NRC To Move Forward On Hillcrest Lake & Northwest Slough
The Natural Resources Commission made its presentation to press forward with the removal of invasives and the creation of riparian buffers at Hillcrest Lake and the northwest corner of the Slough, to Mayor Helmer, the Aldermen and members of City Council. The Commission was looking to inform Council and residents about the scope of the work as this is an area that has not been worked on to date.
The plan is a continuation of the PHNRC 2016 plan for implementing the recommendations from the 2015 Hey and Associates ecological study done on the Slough and Lake. Both reports may be viewed here. This proposal calls for invasive removal and some seeding to start with February work days and continue on as long as the lake remains frozen. Late May/early June would see shoreline restoration begin in the areas where the invasives have been removed with additional seeding and native plugs from the NRC Greenhouse program. Click here to view the proposal.
"All of the affected areas are owned by the City with exception of one small area in the southeast corner of the lake," said Commissioner Dana Sievertson. "We would not be working in that area unless the resident owner invited us to do so. That said, we wanted to get out in front of the work effort so Council would be informed about the work and residents would know what is coming and have some input." The NRC invited residents to email concerns and comments to info@phnrc. The Commission also offered to meet residents on site to address any concerns.
|
|
|
Erosion at the northwest corner of the Slough - Photo courtesy of David Ludwin
|
|
|
"Erosion is the big problem at the "Lake"," added NRC Chair Agnes Wojnarski. "In some places the water and Hillcrest Drive are separated by only a few feet. The problem is made worse by mowed turf grass down to the waters edge and the unabated and relentless pounding of waves. If action is not taken to restore the shoreline soon, the water and the road will soon be connected. It takes on even greater importance now that raising Hillcrest Drive is no longer part of the MWRD road project." Weather permitting, the Commission will begin would in February 2020.
|
|
|
Erosion at Hillcrest Lake
|
|
|
Erosion under a buckthorn
|
|
|
Overview of the Hillcrest work area.
|
|
|
Commissioners Marcus and Wojnarski holding court
|
|
PHNRC Visits Ms. Funk's Fourth Graders for Winter Prairie Talk
Commissioners Seth Marcus and Agnes Wojnarski paid the annual January visit to the fourth grade students of Ms. Kelly Funk, fourth grade teacher at Anne Sullivan Middle School. The visit is part of the year long project to bring natural areas education and awareness to the students at the restoration sites and in the classroom. Now in its second year, the program consists of 4 to 5 visits per school year by the PHNRC, continued education by Ms. Funk and copious note taking by the students in their nature journals.
|
|
|
January's visit was held in the classroom and the students learned about winter ecology. They talked about hibernation, migration and adaption as survival strategies that animals employ. "These children are so smart and retain so much information," said Commissioner Marcus. "Ms. Funk is doing a great job of of continuing the lessons beyond our visits. The students were very interested in the animal pelts and skulls we brought and very engaged in the discussions about the 3 ways animals survive winters. We talked about the importance of snow as habitat and protection, thick winter fur, food sources under the snow pack, how hibernation conserves energy, lowers metabolism, reduces the need for food and how migratory birds and insects move to warmer climates to survive. They took it all in," he concluded.
|
|
|
"We also discussed what happens to plants and trees as winter approaches and what they do to stay alive," added Commissioner Wojnarski."When I asked the students what do trees do in the winter, one little girl shouted out "They go dormant!". It was quite a moment as we had never discussed it. We also talked about how some seeds need the cold and a freeze/thaw cycle to stratify."
|
|
|
"As a commission, this is one of the most rewarding and important things we do," concluded Wojnarski.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
