Buckthorn Busters clean up Independence Grove Forest near Libertyville

  Students from Waukegan's Abbott Middle School's Student Connection program help cut buckthorn during a Lake County Forest Preserve's Earth Week event near Libertyville. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com

  Lake County Forest Preserve District environmental educator Jan Ward readies the saws for volunteers during the Buckthorn Busters program at Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville. For Earth Week, volunteers gathered along the Des Plaines River to cut down buckthorn and other invasive species. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com

  For Earth Week, the Lake County Forest Preserve District held a Buckthorn Busters program at Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville. WaukeganÂ’s Abbott Middle School eighth grade student Franciso Mendoza works at sawing down Japanese honeysuckle. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com

  Lake County Forest Preserve District environmental educator Mark Hurley shows volunteers what buckthorn looks like before heading out to work along the Des Plaines River in the Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com