A Blustery Harvest

Strong winds tested, but did not deter, the volunteers who came out for the first prairie harvest of the 2010 season.  On Saturday, October 2, school groups, Cub scouts and other steadfast volunteers collected species such as cord grass, cream gentians, culver's root, grey goldenrod, nodding wild onion, obediant plant, prairie sunflower, rattlesnake master, round-headed bush clover, sneezeweed, spotted joe-pye weed, swamp betony, sweet black-eyed susan, and wild quinine.  Thanks to everyone for coming out!

Habitat Restoration Cancelled

The habitat restoration scheduled for October 16 has been cancelled.  If you have any questions, please contact Fermilab Natural Areas at fermilabnaturalareas@gmail.com.

Volunteer Prairie Seed Harvest

Saturday October 2nd and
Saturday October 30th, 2010
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

September/October Newsletter Published

The FNA September/October newsletter is published and available online.  If you are interested being added to our mailing list, please send email to FNA.





Main Ring Prairie

Fermilab employee Joseph Pygott made a trip into the Main Ring recently and shared some of his photos with FNA:

Butterfly Walk this Week

The bugs are bad, but it is always fun to be among butterflies!  Tom Peterson will lead a Butterfly Walk at noon this Thursday, August 26, at Fermilab's Interpretive Trail.  Participants are encouraged to wear mosquito repellent and/or long pants and sleeves.

All are welcome. Tom indicates that many butterflies are still out, including some typically more southern ones such as Fiery Skipper, pictured above.

Find more information about butterflies on Tom's web page.

photo credit:  Tom Peterson

Turtles in the Land of Accelerators

Blandings Turtle, photo credit:  www.petinfospot.com 

In addition to serving as the summer invasive weed crew, Mike Beck & Kevin Sheehan also performed a turtle survey to verify whether the Blanding’s turtle was still a resident of the Fermilab site and to assess the diversity and health of the turtle populations on site.


Regionally, Blanding’s Turtles, a state threatened species, are suffering due to loss of habitat and other disturbances. More information: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=111615

Three types of traps were set at 7 different locations around the Fermilab site, each for one week.

Kevin & Mike, setting a trap

In total, 48 turtles were caught, including 21 snapping turtles, 25 painted turtles and 2 red-eared sliders. Of the snapping turtles, there were 7 females and 13 males, with an average size of 12.11 inches. Four of the painted turtles were too young to identify whether male or female. Of the rest, there were six females and 15 males. The average size of all of the painted turtles was 5.28 inches. Both of the red-eared turtle captures were females, with an average size of 7.88 inches. While not trapped, a spiny softshell turtle was also identified on site.
 
 

Kevin & a young painted turtle

 
Overall results of the survey indicate that the Fermilab turtle populations are healthy, with few injuries or parasites, particularly since male and females were caught, as well as a variety of age groups.
 
 

Mike and a snapping turtle

The lack of Blanding’s may be attributable to changing ecosystems: including drainage of the marsh where it was previously identified, young ponds and frequent construction on the Fermilab site. In addition, while Blanding’s Turtles can live long lives (up to 80 years), sexual maturity doesn’t occur until around 16 years, leaving plenty of time for predators, including cars, to challenge the turtles’ longevity.

Trap full of young painted turtles

Mike and Kevin suggest improved habitats may help attract non-pioneer species, including the Blanding’s, Map and Stinkpot turtles.

Thanks for your work -- and the interesting results!

Habitat Restoration

This Saturday, August 21, Habitat Workday volunteers will gather to remove invasives and perform other tasks to help maintain Fermilab's natural areas.  Volunteers meet at the Lederman Science Center, (see map) at 9:00 a.m. Doughnuts and coffee will be served. The group will then work on different areas around the site that need attention until noon.

Last month, Barb Kristen and John Cooper worked to remove buckthorn and autumn olives from various areas in the Village.

Visiting the Great Western Prairie

from Ryan Campbell:  

The Fermilab ecological restoration seasonal workers and summer employees recently visited another prairie remnant within the Chicagoland area. We met with the site steward, Keith Olson (who also happens to be a Fermilab Prairie Harvest volunteer since the late 1970's) of the Elmhurst Great Western Prairie. Keith explained the formation, preservation, history, and community involvement of the small, 8 block strip of remnant next to an abandoned railroad line. We saw many excellent native prairie plants like Sullivant's milkweed, compass plant, blue-eyed grass, flowering spurge, lead plant, and prairie blazing star. The city of Elmhurst is supportive of this attractive, downtown prairie which makes quite the artistic accent to the Illinois Prairie Path. It was a great chance to visit a dedicated Fermi volunteer and see another example of what prairie is and how it is managed.

Calling on a Neighbor

from Mike Beck & the summer crew:  

On July 9 2010, the new weed control workers consisting of Kevin Sheehan and Mike Beck along with the prairie crew, Julie Allen & Jessica Meyers, took an off-site excursion to Schulenberg Prairie within the Morton Arboretum.

Upon arrival we were in awe at the unique and vast prairie that is so different then Fermilab’s. As we transversed the Schulenberg Prairie, we particularly noticed the diversity of the prairie. Plants that are rare to Fermilab’s prairie are common in the Schulenberg Prairie, including Cream Wild Indigo (Baptisia leucophaea) and Prairie Dropseed (Sorobolus heterolepis). Also, it was interesting to see how different species dominate different prairies.  For example, Fermilab has large amounts of Compass Plant and Prairie Dock, whereas the Schulenberg Prairie is dominated by Prairie Clover.

Overall, the trip to the Schulenberg Prairie at the Morton Arboretum was very beneficial to understanding and appreciation of the diversity of prairies found throughout Illinois, all the while showing us the impact that a restoration can have to the landscape.

Chase the Moon - Volunteer Opportunity

For those of you who are not riding in The Conservation Foundation's Chase the Moon bike ride during the early morning of August 1st, please consider providing volunteer support for riders on the Fermilab site.

A number of volunteers are needed to help direct riders around the Fermilab site.  Please contact fermilabnaturalareas@gmail.com if you are interested.

photo courtesy:  The Dream Sky, Flickr

Summer Blooms

At noon tomorrow, July 21, Ryan Campbell will lead a walk into the summer prairie. Meet at the Margaret Pearson Interpretive Trail parking lot.  There will be ample opportunities for discussion on prairies and plants and everything else as we make the short hike. Join us!

Photo credit:  Fermilab Visual Media Services,

Monarda Fistulosa, Wild Bergamot

Butterfly Walk Report

At least a dozen people turned out for the afternoon butterfly walk on July 1. Tom Peterson showed the group the Gray Comma, a Pearl Crescent, a Cabbage White, a Clouded Sulphur, a Dusky Wing Skipper, and a Banded Hairstreak. The late afternoon sun was hot and the green of the prairie glowed as the group was distracted by plants, kids catching bugs, stories and conversations, as well as butterflies.

Please join us for the upcoming butterfly walks on August 12 and August 26!

Field Trip: Indian Boundary Prairies

from our summer restoration folk:

On Friday, June 25th, five of us, Ryan Campbell, Julie Allen, Jessica Meyers, Kevin Sheehan and Mike Beck, went to visit remnant prairies in Markham, Illinois.  Referred to as the Indian Boundary Prairies or Gensberg-Markham, the lands are owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy, Northeastern Illinois University and the Natural Land Institute. Two of the stewards shared some history as well as their current management efforts. This was an excellent opportunity for us to see what a restored remnant prairie looks like, and to compare and contrast it to our prairies at Fermilab.

With their permission, we collected Wild Onion, Prairie Panic Grass, and some different carex species. We were all surprised by the extremely high level of plant diversity, which caused average plant height to be much shorter than we see at Fermilab. The most exciting point of the day was when we came across a federally endangered White Fringed Orchid (pictured above), just finishing its bloom. The manager and naturalist of the site Ron Panzer was not surprised: “We got tons of them,” he said.  In addition, the site is known for its insect diversity, such as the Aphrodite butterfly. The prairie is open to the public and well worth the visit.  More information is available online.

photo courtesy:  Julie Allen

Tonight: Summer Sunset

At sunset tonight turn your gaze west, over the prairie at Fermilab. Ryan Campbell will be hosting a walking tour of our grassland restorations for those wanting an experience once familiar to this land and now recreated. Expect to see such beautiful prairie forbs as Culver's Root, Pale Purple Coneflower, Wild Bergamot, and Rattlesnake Master. Listen to the sounds of the of birds and insects, talk with others about prairie, and smell the cool breeze on this magnificent and rare tallgrass prairie landscape.

photo courtesy:  www.illinoiswildflowers.info

July/August Newsletter Published

The latest edition of the Fermilab Natural Areas newsletter is online! With the next two months packed full of events and activities to get involved with -- butterfly walks, sunset on the prairie walks, habitat restoration volunteer days and more, now is the time to get outside!  Venture into the prairie, hike the trails and see what is blooming.

Please note:  for those of you who receive the newsletter via email, the butterfly walk on at noon August 26 was omitted.  The August 12 walk begins at 4:30 p.m.

If you'd like to be added to the FNA email list, please contact us at fermilabnaturalareas@gmail.com.

photo courtesy:  Fermilab Roads & Grounds

On Two Wheels

While it may be difficult to fully appreciate Fermilab's natural areas in the wee hours of the morning, participants in The Conservation Foundation's Chase the Moon bicycle ride will have a wonderful opportunity to try!  After a pre-party starting at 10 p.m. on July 31 at Marmion Academy, riders will begin riding at 12:01 a.m. August 1 and head toward Fermilab.  The 25-mile route will offer early-out options for more recreational riders.  Following a ride through Fermilab, bicyclists will return to Marmion for breakfast.

All proceeds benefit The Conservation Foundation, a private not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving open space and cleaning up rivers and streams in northeastern Illinois.

For registration and additional information, go to http://www.chasethemoon.com/.

Photo courtesy:  Ryan Campbell

Butterfly Walks

Tom Peterson, Fermilab's butterfly expert, is planning to host a number of butterfly walks this summer, including one on Thursday, June 24, beginning at noon.  All walks will begin at the trailhead to the Interpretive trail at outbound Pine Street at Fermilab.  Check the "Upcoming Events" section of the blog for future dates & times.  Remember to be prepared for heat, mud, and/or mosquitoes. Walks will last about 45 minutes.

photo courtesy:  Tom Peterson, Red Admiral

Summer Plans for the Betz intern

FNA's 2010 Robert F. Betz intern Jessica Meyers started working in late May and many tasks await, including a large variety of scientific and "on the ground" ecological restoration work. Several small studies will be implemented with Fermilab's consulting ecologist, Ryan Campbell, including determining best control of non-native brome grass in the bison savanna restoration, baseline tree density and herbaceous species composition in the Site 29 woodland, and collecting seed for the seed rate study.

Jessica's own research ideas are also be considered. Collection of native plant seed, learning to identify invasive, non-native plants, working with Fermilab's bird and butterfly monitors, and helping volunteers with aquatic surveys and other projects are part of the experience. We'll post blog updates from our 2010 Robert F. Betz intern in early summer.

Photo courtesy:  Fermilab Visual Media Services, August 2009,
Baltimore Checkerspot release at Fermilab

The Plan for Fighting Invasives

from Ryan Campbell, Consulting Restoration Ecologist, Fermilab:

This summer at Fermilab, we are anxious to start a new summer weed management program. Two interns are helping to control invasive species in the natural areas of Fermilab. In the past, we have been able to control some invasive plants (Teasel, Purple Loosestrife, Giant Reed Grass) but have never had the resources for others (White and Yellow Sweet Clover, Spotted Knapweed, Crown Vetch, Reed Canary Grass). The internships were specifically funded to target the control of these nasty exotics which outcompete native plants and lower plant and ecosystem diversity.

FNA has a grant application in process to help fund this work.

photo courtesy:  http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info

New plants found at Fermilab

In this day and age, it is likely that any new plant found in a given area would be unwanted. Usually, new plants means aggressive, exotic (not native to northern Illinois or even North America) and it should be controlled by whatever means necessary before spreading all over. However, in the first week of work, Fermilab's consulting restoration ecologist, Ryan Campbell, found two desirable, rare, native species.

The first, Woodland Bluegrass (Poa sylvestris) has never been documented in the years of woodland surveys. Two reasons are possible. Either Dr. Betz and others overlooked this inconspicuous Poa, or it was established more recently through seed trades with local forest preserve ecologists. Either way, we are glad to have it with us in the woodlands of Fermilab.

The second plant is an exciting one! It is known for its blue fruits. These fruits are actually the ripe seed coat itself that burst through the plant ovary during development. It is blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides). We know that seeds of this species were traded to us from a local forest preserve some years ago.

The plants found (one mature and one young) are a testament to the successes of the restoration work here at Fermilab. Again, blue cohosh, we welcome you to your new home at Fermilab, in a woodland that continues to be restored and managed with the right ecological principles in mind.

Photo courtesy:  Ryan Campbell

Coyote Sighting

Say hello to Batavia coyote 351! Fermilab employee Greg Vogel photographed this young male coyote recently on the laboratory site. The radio collar and ear tag identified him as a holdover from an urban wildlife study conducted recently by Ohio State University and the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation. We know that this guy was actually born two years ago in Schaumburg, then made his way here to try and join up with the local coyote social group. Coyotes are relatively common in the area and provide a welcome degree of ecological balance as a “top” predator. They eat mainly rodents and often scavenge, and in the Spring, a favorite food is goose eggs, thus helping to control the Canada Goose population.

Photo courtesy:  Greg Vogel

May/June Newsletter Published

Check out the latest FNA newsletter! 

If you have any ideas for newsletter topics, please leave a comment or send email to fermilabnaturalareas@gmail.com.

Earth Day Fairs, Here and There

Last week Fermilab's Environment, Safety & Health Section hosted an Earth Day fair in honor of Earth Day's 40th anniversary.  FNA's table included a live corn snake, which proved a popular attraction.  Fermilab employee Bridgett Thomson let visitors hold her pet snake and answered many questions about caring for such a pet.

Over the weekend, FNA hosted a table at the Bartlett Nature Center's 10th anniversary Earth Day fair.  Held at the James "Pate" Philip State Park, which like Fermilab is home to a remnant prairie plot.  Many of the FNA table visitors were interested in Fermilab generally, including activities for families and scouting groups.  Fermilab's Education office is a great resource for this type of information!

Earth Week Prairie Seed Planting

About a dozen volunteers turned out for the spring prairie seed planting last Wednesday.   Volunteers planted native seed for dry, mesic, & wet prairies in the Interpretive Trail Prairie. Each mix contained several native species. On the higher elevations they planted Canadian milk vetch, prairie cinquefoil, butterfly weed, purple prairie clovers which tend to thrive in dry prairies. Mesic contained about 40 native species including: gray goldenrod, spiderwort, common blue-eyed grass, prairie blazing star. Wet prairie mix had about 30 native species including Riddell’s goldenrod, Sulliavan’s milkweed, swamp aster, cardinal flower and over a dozen species of sedges. 

Thanks to everyone for coming out - we appreciate your help!

Upcoming Events

In anticipation of spring and in honor of Earth Day, FNA has many upcoming events:

April 17 - Habitat Restoration work day
April 21 - Prairie Seed Planting, 11:30 a.m., meet at Margaret Pearson Intepretive Trail, Fermilab
April 22 - Fermilab Earth Day Fair, Wilson Hall Atirum, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
April 24 - Bartlett Park District Earth Day Fair
April 27 - Woodland Wildflower Walk, 11:30 a.m., meet at Margaret Pearson Intepretive Trail, Fermilab
May  4 - Arbor Day tree planting (rain date May 6)
May 15 - Habitat Restoration work day

Please join us!

Seed Collection Volunteers

Ryan Campbell, Fermilab's consulting ecologist, is looking for one or more volunteers who are interested in learning native prairie plants and collecting seed. This seed will be used in an experiment to test how many pounds of seed per acre result in a diverse prairie restoration. The answer to this question will guide future restorations at Fermilab as we take acres out of temporary agriculture. The volunteer(s) are needed 1-2 days a week from May to September. Please email Ryan for more information.

March/April Newsletter Published

Catch up on the latest FNA newsletter, published earlier this week.  Thanks again to Paula Lambertz for leading this effort!  As the weather warms, we've got many activities planned, including an Earth Day seed planting and a May tree planting. 

Leave comments here or send us an email to let us know what you think.

Seeking Intern

Fermilab Natural Areas is currently seeking a 2010 intern for the Robert F. Betz internship at Fermilab.  Please find the full intership listing at Chicagoland Environmental Network.

FNA visits Fermilab Friends for Science Education Open House

Last Sunday February 21st Paula Lambertz and I set-up camp at the Fermilab Friends for Science Education's (FFSE) Open House event in Wilson Hall. Thousands of families and folks from the community turned out to experience the busy array of tours and events offered. Paula and I stood at the FNA table set up just outside the elevators and watched as excited children stared in amazement as they entered the atrium. We spoke to hundreds of children and adults about FNA and all of the opportunities to experience nature at Fermilab. We collected email addresses, answered questions and exchanged wildlife stories. It was a great event overall- very well organized and good time for all the smiling faces that passed through the elevator on Sunday.
Many people had questions about the wildlife at Fermilab. One family from California wanted to know if we had any large snakes on site. My best answer was the fox snakes I had seen in the prairie and woods edge. An excited group of girl scouts asked for directions to the bison pen. Another little girl from Geneva offered a detailed account of a family of coyotes that lives near her home as her family waited patiently for her through three rounds of the elevator as she finished. It was interesting to note how people were attracted to the table, just passing by the photos of wildlife at our booth seemed to inspire stories.

Report: Annual Meeting

About 24 Directors, members and friends came out for the 3rd Annual General Membership meeting of Fermilab Natural Areas on Thursday, February 18.  As part of the agenda, FNA Board of Directors' President Rod Walton offered an overview of 2009 activities as well as an outlook for 2010.  Jolie Macier presented the Treasurers report and Dick Untch summarized the activities of the Tours Subcommittee.  Elections were held for four open Board seats, with Mitch Adamus, Shawna Coronado, Jolie Macier & Jim Volk being re-elected to two-year terms.  Finally, Susan Dahl, President of the Fermilab Friends for Science Education, and Sue Sheehan of the Fermilab Education Office discussed the history, structure and activities of FFSE.

Annual Meeting, 2/18

The Fermilab Natural Areas Annual Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 18, 2010.  The meeting will feature a report on 2009 efforts, a financial report and future plans.  In addition, four seats of the Board of Directors are up for election.  Finally, Susan Dahl, President of the Fermilab Friends for Science Education, will discuss her organization.

Please join us on Thursday, February 18, at 7 p.m. in Wilson Hall's One West Conference Room.