Broadcasting seed in the preserve with the LFOLA team.
The Shaw Prairie Stewards are dedicated volunteers working to improve the ecological health of the prairies, savannas, woods, and wetlands of the Skokie River Nature Preserve.
Critical to effectively pursuing our goals is a spirit of community, curiosity, and deep affection for nature. We study, analyze, and try to prioritize management actions as a group, as well as share skills and knowledge that make us all better stewards. Input, initiative-taking, and leadership are encouraged from all. No prior experience with ecological restoration is needed to start volunteering with us. All are welcome and appreciated!
Our restoration work includes:
Removing and controlling woody brush and introduced plant species that threaten biodiversity
Collecting and broadcasting seed
Assisting Lake Forest Open Lands with prescribed burns
Site Monitoring
Cutting and burning brush on the prairie. Photo : Christos Economou
Collecting seeds. Photo : Jess Sladek
Helping LFOLA with a prescribed burn. Photo : Christos Economou
Burning McLaughlin Meadow. Photo : Jess Sladek
Prescribed Burn in McLaughlin Meadow. Photo : Christos Economou
Stewards studying the site. Photo : Stephen Packard
After a Prescribed Fall Burn. Photo : Stephen Packard
A bonfire of cut brush on a Winter Workday, Photo : Ellie Krall
Burning brush in the woods. Photo : Christos Economou
Seeding the Prairie in Winter. Photo : Jess Sladek
Stewards removing a small tree. Photo: Eriko Kojima
Cooking for our Midwinter Celebration! Photo : Jess Sladek
Taking a break! Photo : Ellie Krall
Seed mixes! Photo : Monica Gajdel
A seed mix. Photo : Ellie Krall
Seeding McLaughlin Meadow in Early Spring. Photo : Stephen Packard
A spring burn. Photo : Monica Gajdel
Shaw Prairie in April 2022 - Fall burned on Left, Spring burned on Right. Photo: Monica Gajdel
Stewards out gathering seed. Photo : Ellie Krall
Shaw Prairie in Bloom, August. Photo : Anna Braum
Stewards in McLaughlin Meadow. Photo : Jess Sladek
Collecting Seed.
Leading a tour of the preserve with LFOLA. Photo : Jess Sladek
Gentiana andrewsii, or Bottle Gentian. Photo : Anna Braum
A steward collecting seed. Photo : Anna Braum