December 2017 January 2018 . Maintenance and safety checks of buildings and grounds, seasonal mowing, firewood

cutting splitting and stacking, storm clean-up, shelter house and toilet cleaning, litter pick-up and disposal, road

grading, trail maintenance, equipment maintenance, scheduling shelter rentals and collecting shelter and camping

fees, drinking water sampling . Shelter houses and Lodge are used every weekend by scouts, families and other

groups. Natural Resource Center Educational Staff teaching school groups / Summer Camps at Russell Woods and

making classroom visits. PDRMA Risk Management and Loss Control review and preserve safety in progress for 2018

compliance.

Winterfest Saturday, January 20st

~ SCHEDULE ~

9:00 to 9:45 a.m. ~ Bird Behaviors & Identification Whether you are a beginning birder or just enjoy watching the birds,

drop in the Natural Resource Education Center

to learn simple techniques for identifying

birds as you relax and enjoy watching our feeding station.

10:00 a.m. ~ Illinois Wildlife Program and Un-Nature Nature Trail Peggy Doty will share information about area wildlife and

then participants can go on an un-nature hike.

Come and see what this is about and bring the family!

10:00 to 11:30 a.m. ~ Candle Making Volunteers will be on hand to assist in the making of

hand-dipped candles you can take home with you.

(One per person, please)

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ~ Crafts & Activities Make and take crafts with helpful volunteers available to assist

as well as other on-going family-friendly activities. (Large classroom)

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ~ Digital Scavenger Hunt See how many items from our scavenger hunt

you can “shoot” with your phone or camera.

Items may be found inside and outside the

nature center and along a specified trail.

(See a staff member or volunteer for instructions)

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ~ Snacks & Lunch Available for purchase from the Genoa Prairie Gems 4-H Club

(Please support our local 4-H Club)

11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ~ Horse Drawn Wagon Rides Enjoy the winter scenery of Russell Woods Forest Preserve

from the comfort of a horse drawn wagon.

(Pick-up in front of the Natural Resource Education Center)

11:30 a.m. ~ Cordage Making Learn the Native skill of making string from

Sustainably harvested stinging nettle plant fibers.

(Small classroom)

1:00 p.m. ~ Pondering Pollinators Peggy Doty will offer thoughts on native pollinators

and their role in our existence. The group will take a short

walk to the new Pollinator Hotel-Eagle Scout project.

(Small classroom)

2:00 p.m. ~ Hike Join us for an afternoon guided family hike.

(Meet in the large classroom)

WinterFest at Russell Woods

Winterfest 2018 news article… over 200 people attended this year.

Winter at Forest Preserves

Sannauk

Russell Woods

Nehring

Chief Shabbona

Russell Woods

Great Western Trail

Afton

January DeKalb County birds by local artist Peter Olson

Male Cardinal at Forest Preserve

Great Horned Owls begin mating in January …. Here is a female on nest in Cottonwood tree at

Wilkinson Marsh.

Sycamore Forest Preserve one day in Janaury………

….. and on another day in January

New sign at East end of Sycamore along RT.64 and Great Western Trail

Afton wetland bank water control structures being replaced……..

North wetland

South wetland

Tree and shrub removal is being done by forest preserve staff and contractor along the

fencerow and trail corridor on the future 1.5 mile Somonauk to Sannauk Trail. Trail design

and enginnering in progress and bid letting for trail construction is planned for June.

Projects Dec 2017 – Jan 2018 Bill Prain and staff Northern Preserves

-Firewood cutting splitting stocking by all staff

-Chain link fence repair, Thompson Rd.

-Winterfest preparation, clean up

-Snow plowing, Ice control applications

-Steel panel siding installation, conduit, outlets, light fixtures, for welding area at Hoppe shop

-Skid loader attachment repairs

-Hazard tree removal, Russell

-Mower transport, storage

-General supply and equipment organization

-Administrative Priorities as called for ( materials and supply ordering, pick up and delivery )

- Safety inspection report writing, reporting and training

-Equipment and materials purchase and transport

-Safety lane compliance for equipment trailer

January 2018 – Central and Southern Preserves Maintenance Report

Prepared by Patrick McCrea for south staff

1. I was hired as the new Restoration Ecologist! I went through an orientation in which we visited sites

and discussed restoration possibilities. I became familiar with equipment, trucks, and paperwork. I was

briefed on present and future land management and acquisition projects .

2. Preformed maintenance on bobcat skid steer, Kubota atv, prairie seeder, and Kubota tractor.

3. Added a longer ram to the grapple to improve use.

4. Snow plowed preserves as needed.

5. Worked with volunteers assisting Natural Resource Dept.

6. Picked up mowers after winter servicing and prepared them for winter storage.

7. Installed exhaust fan in greenhouse.

8. Assisted Natural Resource Management Dept. with various tasks.

Forest Preserve Natural Resource Manager Al Roloff retired January 1. Over many years Al has been a great

employee, educator and friend. His knowledge, work ethic and wonderful ideas made our forests, prairies

and wetlands beautiful places for people and wildlife. His wit, humor and personality touched many

people. His entusiam brought the excitement and the wonder of nature to forest preserve staff, students

from grade school through College, educators and Forest Preserve Committees. Who better could tell about

the underwater sex life of a Mussell or make people laughingly remember “ snot-weed “ on a prairie walk.

Al will continue to work and keep us smiling as a volunteer Land Steward for the Forest Preserve District

Thank you Al Roloff !!!

A few photos of Al and his wonderful work…..

Thank you Al !!!