Nature & Restoration

Nature and Restoration. A Place Where Plants and Animals Thrive. Thousands of plants and animals, including over 100 threatened and endangered species, depend on the natural areas in the Forest Preserves of Cook County. , , This vast system of protected land exists due to the hard work of determined individuals over 100 years ago. Because of their foresight, you have the opportunity to explore a forest carpeted with spring wildflowers, a tallgrass prairie rippling in the wind or a wetland echoing with the calls of migrating birds-all in one of the most populated urban areas of the country. , , Nature at Dan Ryan Woods , South of 87th Street, mowed grass gives way to oak woodland and savanna. The west edge of the preserve rests on a moraine-an accumulation of rocks and soil deposited by the movement of glaciers. Oak and hickory trees define these higher elevations, providing habitat for great horned owls in the woodland interior and birds such as the eastern phoebe at the edges. Plants like red trillium, thicket parsley and wild geranium bloom on the woodland floor. , , Once covered by ancient Lake Chicago, the east side of Dan Ryan Woods sits lower and features wet woods dominated by swamp white oaks, red oaks and American basswood. Pale-leaved sunflower, fringed loosestrife and many sedges and manna grasses cover the ground below. , , Fire in the Forest Preserves? Before European settlement, fire helped shape these local habitats. Returning fire to the land helps control invasive shrubs and trees, making it an efficient tool for keeping natural areas healthy. Under safe and controlled conditions, highly trained professionals and volunteers conduct prescribed burns across hundreds of acres of land each spring and fall. Photo by Joe Occhiuzzo. , , Restoring Nature , From the establishment of colonial settlements to the current age of global trade, humans living or travelling in this area have moved plants, animals and other organisms into places they weren't normally found. In some cases these species become invasive, spreading aggressively and throwing entire networks of native plants and animals out of balance. , , At places like Dan Ryan Woods, we develop long-term restoration and management plans to help reverse these human impacts. Using safe and proven techniques, we remove invasive species, reestablish native plants and bring prescribed fires to the land. Trained volunteers and organizations like Friends of the Forest Preserves (fotfp.org) help us, and we invite you to join in restoring Dan Ryan Woods so native plants and animals can thrive. Learn more in the case to the right, or visit: fpdcc.com/volunteer , , What's an Invasive Species? , A plant, animal or other organism not naturally found in an area, whose introduction and spread causes harm to the environment.