[BCNnet] This Saturday's Habitat Clinic - you're invited!

[BLAZER, Rebecca]

This month's clinic brings a very interesting and diverse group of experts to Ted Stone Forest Preserve in Cook County - a site known for its rare dolomite prairie, its blend of volunteer and contractor restoration work, and for the determined stewards who are fighting to defend it from the expanding "Apathy Canyon."

This Saturday, August 28, from 9 - noon, volunteer stewards Barbara and George Birmingham will lead the presentation and discussion of the site's ecology and restoration. Lawyer and steward
Dave Lloyd will contribute to the discussion of community relations and options in dealing with the run-off from the K-Mart parking lot -- which is said to be the cause of massive erosion in the preserve. The U.S. Army Corps' Jean Sellar will comment on hydrological implications for the site's ecology. The group will discuss what legal, political or other tools stewards, monitors and landowners might use to remedy encroachments such as these.

Cathy Geraghty of the Cook FPD will describe the unusual partnership that was formed among the stewards, the District, and a restoration contractor to do large-scale restoration around the edges of the dolomite prairie. Cathy will share materials describing grant opportunities and how volunteers can work with the FPD to get grants for large-scale work such as this.

As always, there will be plenty of lively and informative dialogue, and lots of rare and fascinating nature. 

It would be great if people could register by emailing me at rblazer@audubon.org or calling 847-965-9239 ext. 21. These workshops are free and open to all conservation volunteers in Chicago Wilderness.

Meet in Theodore Stone Forest Preserve on LaGrange Road just north of the Stevenson. The entrance to the preserve is on the north side of 67th street, just east of LaGrange Rd (Route 45). Meet at the far end of the forest preserve parking lot.

More information is posted at www.habitatproject.org.


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Rebecca Blazer
Field Representative
Audubon - Chicago Region
5225 Old Orchard Rd., Suite 37
Skokie, IL 60077
Tel: 847-965-1150 ext. 10
Fax: 847-965-9282
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