Nature preserves recognized

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

Two Southland nature preserves will receive the Conservation and Native Landscaping Award today from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Chicago Wilderness in recognition of their efforts to return land to their natural state.

For 11 years, the Chicago EPA office and Chicago Wilderness have recognized conservation efforts by Chicago-area nature preserves and the government agencies and corporations that partner with them. The Orland Grassland in Orland Township and the Island Prairie Park Nature Center in Frankfort Township are scheduled to accept their awards today for their work in restoring the prairie landscapes that dominated the region before settlers arrived.

Pat Hayes, volunteer and site steward at Orland Grassland, speaks with delight about the progress made on the 960-acre restoration project since work began in 2002. The land had been used for agriculture until the Cook County Forest Preserve District acquired it in 1967 and reforested it, planting hundreds of trees whose shade actually hindered native plant growth.

“Reforestation, which was the common thought of the day, was exactly the wrong thing to do,” Hayes said. “It’s highly beneficial to return it to its original state, which was prairie.”

An army of volunteers took to the land, replanting native species and nurturing the plants and animals that still existed. Their efforts have resulted in an explosion of native bird and plant populations. Removal of old irrigation pipes also brought back wetland areas that attracted even more native birds.

“We are getting these beautiful ponds that are attracting water birds that haven’t been out there for years,” she said.

Orland Grassland was recognized in part for its remarkable group of volunteers who do everything from collect seeds and remove brush in the winter to putting out a monthly newsletter to keep all 250 volunteers informed of the latest goings on. The forest preserve district, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the contractor, Pizzo and Associates Ltd., were also to be recognized for their roles in restoring the site.

The other Southland recipient, Island Prairie Park Nature Center, boasts a greenhouse in which native seeds can germinate into “plugs” for planting in the 35 acres of adjacent prairie or across all 700 acres of Frankfort Square Park District property. Island Prairie Park workers and volunteers began their restoration project in August 2009, and already have seen results.

“I was pleasantly surprised last year on how many things did so well,” Superintendent of Beautification and Natural Areas Julie Arvia said.

The 2½- acre Interpretive Gardens next to the Nature Center include some of these plants and reflect the different types of native species. They’ve also added a boardwalk through the gardens that allows for wheelchair access.

The awards will be given today at a ceremony in downtown Chicago.