Crystal Lake Park District issued the following announcement on Sept. 21.
THE GROUP
We meet once a month at Sterne's outdoor pavilion, 5617 Hillside Dr. Volunteers 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 tools, and I will bring treats. Email Brice Alt, volunteer site steward, to receive updates: bricemaieralt@hotmail.com. Our next couple work dates are: Oct 25 and Nov 22.
THE PARK
Sterne’s Woods & Fen became an Illinois State Nature Preserve in 1994 to preserve and protect its unique ecology. A fen is a rare type of wetland in which cold groundwater that is high in calcium and magnesium seeps to the surface. The unique water chemistry supports plants that grow nowhere else. Sterne’s Fen is home to at least 10 rare or endangered plant species. The surrounding parkland acts as a buffer to the fen and includes prairie, oak savanna, and flatwood ecosystems. Every one of those ecosystems can benefit from the efforts of volunteers. Join us once a month and learn about them!
THANK YOU
Much thanks to the local groups who have volunteered with us at Sterne's: the MUDD trail running club, the Silver and Sleepy Hollow Creeks Watershed Coalition, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, the BREAK, Jacobs High School Interact, Girl Scout Troop 888, Cub Scout Pack 156, and Boy Scout Troops 158 and 368. We can accommodate community groups! Just give us a heads-up and we'll plan a special lunch for volunteer groups.
NEWS
A video about Sterne's Fen: https://youtu.be/DMVPl80PDQ0
Park district updates: https://www.crystallakeparks.org/project-updates#SternesFen
Who was Ted Sterne? The Crystal Lake Historical Society article: https://www.dropbox.com/s/h61unofnnnx06kg/Ted%20Sterne%20.pdf?dl=0
ECOLOGIC RESTORATION
By volunteering at a Sterne's workday you're helping with the ecologic restoration of an exceedingly rare type of habitat.
To learn more about restoration ecology, here's a quick video: https://youtu.be/VNwQ6cRMTKI
Sterne's Fen has a management plan: https://www.dropbox.com/s/9ekp2nfniddn1d6/1989%20management%20plan.pdf?dl=0
Original source can be found here.
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