Lake County Forest Preserves' restoration projects aim to bring back native plants, prairies

From a young age, we're taught that planting trees is good for the environment. So, why do we see large areas of trees removed from the forest preserves, leaving the land temporarily ragged and brown?

The answer is habitat restoration, a series of land management activities that improve the health, productivity and array of species on a particular site, ecologists at the Lake County Forest Preserves say. Sometimes that process involves removing nonnative and invasive trees and other species.

In northeast Illinois, our native habitats, including both plants and wildlife, have been impacted by human development.

"Agriculture, roadways, residential growth and business parks have fragmented the landscape and introduced invasive species. This has resulted in reduced biodiversity and ecosystem function," said Matt Ueltzen, manager of restoration ecology at the Lake County Forest Preserves.

"Illinois has lost 99.9% of its native prairies and Lake County has lost more than 88% of the remnant oak woodlands."

Restoration is important because it helps to rebuild what has been lost, Ueltzen said.

"Restoring land helps connect fragmented environments. It provides a place for native plants and wildlife. It increases biodiversity, and makes our landscapes sustainable for future generations."

Through restoration, many invasive species - plants that hurt plants and wildlife - are removed, said Ken Klick, restoration ecologist at the Lake County Forest Preserves.

"Invasives such as glossy and common buckthorn and autumn olive grow aggressively, blocking sunlight from the floor of the forest preserve.

"When these invasive trees are removed, sunlight is allowed to reach the ground, encouraging the reproduction of oak species and promoting growth of native grasses, sedges and wildflowers," Klick said.

To help reduce the prevalence of buckthorn, we have cleared it from more than 3,679 acres in 25 preserves countywide since 2014, Ueltzen reported. When reseeded with native species, these open, diverse lands help reduce impacts from urban heat islands, improve air quality and mitigate flooding.

When restoration work is being done, you may see drastic differences in the landscape.

"Restoring habitat, it turns out, often looks a lot like harming it," said Alex Ty Kovach, executive director of the Lake County Forest Preserves. "This is not the case. We are stewards of healthy landscapes and proponents of climate resiliency. Restoration is core to our mission."

Restoration happens in many ways, and depending on the location, will have different effects.

A large project is currently taking place at Greenbelt Forest Preserve in North Chicago. A great deal of buckthorn, honey suckle and aggressive native cottonwoods were removed from about 40 acres on the west side of Green Bay Road. These invasive woody plants were cut down in the winter and herbicide was later applied to the stumps with sponge tip applicators.

Greenbelt was once a large, high-quality prairie and wetland. By removing the invasive species, we found small patches of native plants that were left behind. Experience shows natives will grow and expand now that the invasives are gone.

"We've seen shooting stars, yellow star grass and other summer flora return," Klick said. "It's wonderful to return to the plants and animals that have been here for thousands of years."

A similar restoration project was initiated on the east side of Green Bay Road five years ago. Today, that side of the road shows how the west side will look in 5 or 10 years.

"That's how nature heals. It's not immediate, but a gradual process. We introduce native seeds to speed up the process a bit," Klick said.

When the area is restored, it's better able to withstand the regular changes in the environment, including heat, drought and cold, Klick added.

"We're nursing it back to health with great success."

Controlled burns are another tool to restore and manage natural communities.

"Each spring and fall, our restoration ecologists conduct controlled burns across hundreds of acres throughout the preserves," Klick said. They help control invasive shrubs and trees and promote regeneration of native plants.

Restoration essentially generates a domino effect, Klick said.

"The more plant diversity you have, the more bugs you have. More bugs bring more birds into the preserves, and then more bird-watchers and photographers. The number of people visiting the preserves then increases," he said.

"In addition to the biological benefits of restoration, the process makes the preserves so much more attractive," Klick said.

Ueltzen agrees: "Restoration also provides both aesthetic and recreational opportunities to see and appreciate."

• Kim Mikus is a communications specialist for the Lake County Forest Preserves. She writes a bimonthly column about various aspects of the preserves. Contact her with ideas or questions at kmikuscroke@LCFPD.org. Connect with the Lake County Forest Preserves on social media @LCFPD.