Sept. 20th Oak Savanna Work Day - Join us!

Maine East is having an Oak Savanna work day and new fence kick-off party on Saturday, Sept. 20th from 9 - noon to focus on ecological restoration. A generous donation by Cindy and Scott Grau helped to provide a new fence to protect this relic of the past so they will be honored at 11:30 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The oak savanna was the dominant landscape in our area before modern development but is now one of the most endangered ecosystems on Earth. Many years of hard work by the Maine East Ecology Club and the Oakton Community College Ecology Club continues to keep this area managed and free of invasive species. An ephemeral pond provides a refuge to a variety of wildlife, including migratory birds, and a 2013 IDNR grant funded the planting of new bird-friendly shrubs throughout the preserve. Future plans include creating a more permanent stone path and seating area for students near the pond as well as installing a wildlife camera trap. If you'd like to stop by at 11:30, students and staff will have collected native forest and prairie seeds to share with members of the community. If you come you'll also be able to see a beaver lodge that was built sometime in the last six months on our Oak Savanna pond! Lots to explore...