You may have come across them while hiking or biking in the Forest Preserves and wondered

what they were up to, rustling and bustling about in the brush. Don’t worry, there’s no hanky-

panky going on! They are dedicated folks devoting their time and sweat to the Palos Restoration

Project, an initiative that was founded over 35 years ago by the Forest Preserves of Cook

County.

According to the Palos Restoration Project website https://www.restorepalos.com/, “The goal of

restoration is to identify troubled natural areas and make them healthier for plants and animals

native to them.” Under the leadership of experienced stewards, volunteers “cut and burn brush,

remove weedy invasive plants like garlic mustard, or collect and distribute seed.”

People of all ages are encouraged to help out–kids, too. It’s easy! Just check out the schedule

on the website to see where and when teams will be working, then follow the link to register with

the Forest Preserve to volunteer. Note that youth under 18 must be accompanied by a legal

parent/guardian. Tools are provided. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the complex forest

ecosystem while being part of the effort to protect it for the future. What could be more satisfying

than spending a few hours in the forest in the company of friendly, enthusiastic, excited people?

Steward Jan Pietrzak has worked with this amazing project since its inception. He lives,

breathes, and probably dreams of the forest, and he shares the wonders of the woods through his blog https://www.restorepalos.com/blog on the project website, which he also maintains. You’ll find descriptions of the restoration work taking place, along with Jan’s gorgeous photos of the flora and fauna.

Volunteering for the Palos Restoration Project doesn’t require an enormous amount of time.

Help once, help a few times, help every week, or as your schedule allows. Forest restoration is

an ongoing need, and it is only through the combined efforts of volunteers that this work will be

accomplished. Contact Jan at janaugust@sbcglobal.net to receive announcements of work

days.