The warm winter days have allowed us to spend most our time outdoors performing forestry and conservation work.  We have now completed removal of invasive Buckthorn and Honeysuckle between holes 11 and 12. This spring we expect to see a proliferation of native wildflowers and ground cover.

Before

After

Conservation of Illinois hardwood forests involves identifying the invasive species, getting after them with chainsaws and burning.

Brad

Rich & Keith

The pond between 11 and 12 has now been cleared of Willow and Cottonwood saplings that were compromising the ecosystem.

11 Pond Before

After

When Willow and Cottonwood saplings are allowed to take over the embankments of a pond, the shade and root competition compromise the density of the turf grass buffer, now silt and sediment erosion enter the pond for lack of an adequate grass buffer and filter. 

When the percentage of silt increases in surface water the invertebrate populations decrease to the detriment of the fish population. So we are working this winter to reestablish sunlight on our pond perimeters for a healthier turf system. 

In addition to providing recreational benefits, turf grass protects surface water from silt and sediment erosion - the number one source of pollution in the world today.