The March 14th Fermilab Workday drew an impressive 25 participants, with DBC members, Fermilab ecologists, and Fermilab Natural Areas volunteers wielding loppers and handsaws to clear a shrubland section of east Fermilab of trees and invasive species. “We made GREAT progress on the restoration of the shrubland,” said organizer Denis Kania, “and it seemed like everyone had a good time as there was a lot of chatter and laughter while we worked.”
The workday was part of a multiyear project to clear a 43-acre section of shrubland overrun by invasive plants like honeysuckle, buckthorn, black cherry, and others. To date, 17 acres have been cleared. The restoration effort will support habitat for Yellow-breasted Chat, Bell’s Vireo, Brown Thrasher, Yellow Warbler, Gray Catbird, and other shrub-loving species.
Work will continue until April 15th, when efforts will pause for the bird breeding season. If you have a free morning and would like to help Denis continue to restore the shrubland, message him at djkan36@gmail.com. If he has someone assisting, Denis can use a chainsaw to fell larger shrubs and trees. For obvious safety reasons, he can’t use the chainsaw solo. “While I cut, you could be hauling and stacking downed material,” says Denis, “and we can make an even larger dent in the thicket!"
Denis says more work-days will be scheduled in the fall so that DBC can continue to participate and contribute in a very meaningful way to our threatened birds.
If you’d like to see more pictures of the Fermilab Workday, visit the Member Photo Gallery at https://dupagebirding.org/member-gallery/. Scroll past the Photo Contest Winners to see DBC Event
Photo courtesy of Diann Bilderback.