Steward defends restoration work

As a steward of Deer Grove Forest Preserve, I must come to the defense of our ecological restoration work in reply to the March 13th post of William Eiden.

Records from 1838 indicate that prior to European settlement Deer Grove was predominantly a wooded grove in the midst of rolling prairie.  This survey provides a model for our restoration work.

Mr. Eiden will be happy to learn that we are restoring Deer Grove to its former condition as an oak woodland, not as a prairie. Mostly, this involves removing European buckthorn, a nonnative, invasive species that is destroying our forest preserves, the ecological equivalent of the atomic bomb.

Mr. Eiden expresses a profound disapproval of prairie and savanna restoration - even though these ecosystems once covered most of Illinois. Illinois has lost more than 99.9 percent of its original prairie landscape. The original oak savanna that once covered much of northeastern Illinois is all but gone. To attack the restoration of these ecosystems on its face thus reflects a profound ignorance of our region's natural history.

We rely on the best scientific information as the basis for our restoration work. Last year our volunteers put in well over 1,000 hours of labor to restore Deer Grove to its former ecological health.

The people who spend their free time working to save the forest preserves should be celebrated, not criticized, for their tireless work. FPDCC General Superintendent Steven Bylina and his staff have been extremely supportive of our work. 

We invite anyone interested in our region's natural heritage to come, join us in helping restore our local ecosystems. For more information, visit www.deergrove.freehostia.com and for a current workday schedule see www.fpdcc.org/group_DG.html.

Pete Jackson, steward

Deer Grove Natural Areas Volunteers

Arlington Heights