Restoration
What's all this 'smoke' about restoration?
At the Wheaton Park District's Lincoln Marsh Natural Area, we are not only here to help you enjoy and appreciate the many wonders of nature, we're also working to preserve and restore the habitats that our native plants and animals need to thrive and survive.
Why is it important to restore native habitat and wildlife?
People often ask us, “Why can't nature just take its course?” Human beings have always played a part in shaping the natural environment. Native Americans used to start prairie fires in order to obtain food or travel. The first settlers sliced through that prairie with steel plows and discovered the soil to be perfect for growing crops. On that same land today, we build houses, highways, shopping malls and subdivisions, and our natural world has suffered a lot of stress in that process!
By restoring a natural community, we allow plants and animals (this includes us!) to live together with health, balance and beauty.
At the Lincoln Marsh, we are working hard to protect native diversity by monitoring and managing our natural area, removing non-native and invasive species, and reintroducing native plants.
What does “native” mean, anyway?
Native plants and animals are those that were present in this place before any settlers interacted with the prairies, woodlands, and wetlands. These species are well-suited to the soils, temperatures, and environments of Illinois. Many of our remaining natural areas are filled with plants and animals that quickly spread and permeate a disturbed space but are not necessarily indigenous or considered to be "high-quality."
Some of these non-native plants and animals are even “invasive,” which means that they grow and reproduce so aggressively that they crowd out the native plants and animals that have lived here for thousands of years. Ecologists shudder at the sight of these unwelcome invaders!
How does restoration happen?
Sometimes we remove non-native plants manually--by hand or by machine. Other times a small dose of pesticide is necessary. Many times, the course of restoration calls for a technique that has been happening for many years. The very process that has shaped our landscape...Fire.
Before the first Europeans settlers, fires would often sweep through the prairies and woodlands. Sometimes these fires were started by lightning, and sometimes by Native Americans, who used fire to clear the way for hunting, travel, or better visibility. The plants of our area are able to withstand the fire while plants from Europe cannot.
When we burn areas of the Lincoln Marsh, we are trying to mimic presettlement conditions, allowing native plants to flourish and foreign plants to find another home.
Once the area is cleared of unwanted plants species, we can plant or sow seeds for the natives. And once the native plants are in place, the native birds, butterflies, animals and fish will find them!
By golly, how can I help?
Explore the outdoors! By learning to love the natural world, you will be well-primed for taking care of it. Beyond this, you can become a “citizen scientist” by reading about and observing these natural areas, plants and animals. The more you see, the better you can assist your local scientists and land managers.
Volunteer! Keep your eye out for upcoming work days at Lincoln Marsh. Click here for information about the Lend-A-Hand Days at Lincoln Marsh.
Transform your backyard into a haven for local butterflies, birds and other wildlife.
Visit the Conservation Foundation website for information on how to transform your yard through their Conservation @ Home Program. You'll be amazed at how your own property can be transformed into a rich display of wildlife!
For more information about Lincoln Marsh Natural Area, please contact us.
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