Volunteer to remove invasive brush in Sterne's Woods

Volunteer at Sterne's Woods and Fen from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, June 26. Volunteers should meet at the Hillside Road picnic shelter beside the Sterne's parking lot, 5617 Hillside, Crystal Lake.

This month will be the second "Oak Rescue." Invasive understory bushes crowd out young oak saplings, shading them to death before they have a chance to mature.

Even the tallest oaks in Sterne's Woods are losing their lower limbs to competition with the invasives. Volunteers will cut out buckthorn and honeysuckle bushes beneath several 100-plus year-old oak trees beside the trail. This will allow the native understory plants and oaks to have a chance to thrive again.

The Oak Rescue is the third in a series of monthly volunteer days at Sterne's Woods and Fen.

The group meets from 9 to 11 a.m. the fourth Sunday of every month. Volunteers will have a chance to learn about restoration ecology and what makes Sterne's special.

Bring a water bottle and a pair of work gloves. The park district will supply the tools. To receive updates, email Brice Alt, volunteer site steward, at bricemaieralt@hotmail.com.