July 2025 Newsletter

Hi friends, the summer is going fast!

Weeds to Seeds Education Pavilion

As you may recall, we started working on the Weeds to Seeds Education Pavilion project at the Quarries a little over a year ago. The pavilion is a gift to the people of Lemont and all visitors to the Heritage Quarries. Thanks to the support of generous benefactors like Lemont Junior Women’s Club, The Forge Lemont, and many individual donors, we were recently able to construct and dedicate the pavilion!

We welcome you to check it out if you haven’t visited it already. It is located near the scenic overlook between parking lots 2 and 3 and at Heritage Quarries Recreation Area. Last week, we hosted our first educational program at the Pavilion. The Ohio School of Falconry partnered with The Forge to explore the wonders of birds of prey. We are excited to host more educational programming at the Pavilion in the months and years to come.

Restoration Update

We have spent this summer monitoring the growth of the plants and trees we installed as part of the pollinator prairie and shoreline clearing work we did over the winter. The many native prairie species we seeded have begun to take hold and are beginning to develop deep, resilient root systems. Native plants like rattlesnake master, coneflowers, black-eyed susan, milkweeds, and daisy fleabane are growing beautifully! As native species like these continue to establish, it will become increasingly difficult for invasive species to compete with them. Weedy species are aggressive and grow fast, but in general, their shallow roots and lack of fire resistance will prevent them from thriving as we continue to improve and maintain native plant ecosystems.

If you would like to help prevent the spread of invasive species, there are a few things that you can do. For one, check clothing and shoes after hiking and remove any burs or seeds that may have hitched a ride on your person before you leave the site. Second, stay on the trails. Going off the trail can result in habitat disruption and trampling of plants. Invasive species are opportunistic and do best in disrupted areas. Third, you can help directly by removing invasive species and treating them with herbicides. Many invasive plants were originally planted by humans, often as ornamentals (like bush honeysuckles, burning bush, and callery pear) or as food (like garlic mustard and burdock). Replacing these non-native plants with native species is a great way to prevent spread and support wildlife diversity. Volunteering with organizations like TWWT and the Forest Preserve Districts is also a great way to help in the community!

Please note: if you decide to use herbicides on your own property, please be very careful as overspray can kill beneficial native plants and potentially contaminate soil and water. Do your research for the best herbicide for your needs, read the labels, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely.

Native Tree Surveying

Our native tree survey program is ongoing at the HQRA. We won’t get too into the weeds here, but the gist is that native trees are alive and well at the Quarries! Despite a history of quarrying and other land uses, the Quarries support a large number of elms (American and red elm), young ash trees (all mature trees found have been killed by emerald ash borer), hackberry, and other native trees like black cherry, black walnut, eastern cottonwood, and silver maple (pictured above). The elm population is quite surprising. Since its arrival in the 20th century, Dutch Elm Disease (a fungal pathogen believed to originate from Eurasia) has been a major problem throughout the United States. Many thousands of elm trees have perished as a result of the fungus.

The trees surveyed are consistent with the Elm-Ash-Cottonwood Woodland type. Approximately 25% of Illinois’ woodlands are Elm-Ash-Cottonwood. These woodlands are typically found in bottomland habitats where water is fairly abundant. Birds are highly common, as are mammals like deer, raccoons, and beavers. This woodland type is also commercially valuable. Hardwoods like elm, ash, cottonwood, and maple are often used for lumber, veneer, and firewood.

The most common (and protected!) woodland type in Illinois is the Oak-Hickory Woodland. Approximately 50% of Illinois woodlands are oak-hickory. As the name suggests, this woodland type is dominated by oaks and hickories. Both tree types are long-lived, slow growing, fire-resistant trees that can support many generations of wildlife. Some oaks can live for over 600 years! Understory plants are similar to prairie-savannahs. Unfortunately, oak-hickory woodlands are quite sensitive to habitat loss and disruption. Due to the slow growth of oaks and hickories, logging, fire suppression, and invasive species can prevent healthy regeneration of these species. As a result, faster-growing, shade-tolerant species like ash, elm, maple, and hackberry (or invasive species like honeysuckle and buckthorn) can overtake a woodland and result in an irreversible shift in woodland type. With this in mind, it is possible that the HQRA was once an oak-hickory woodland prior to its development. Waterfall Glen (a natural site located just a few miles north) contains numerous oak and hickory trees, as does Red Gate Woods (located a few miles east).

Quarry Care Returning Soon

Quarry Care is back this October! Join us in the fight against invasive species and littering at the Heritage Quarries by registering today. If you are new to the program, Quarry Care is a volunteer opportunity hosted by The Wilder World Trust. We work on the second Saturday of each month from October through June. Examples of past activities include woody invasive removal, litter cleanup, brush pile burns, and tree planting.

If the Quarry Care dates don’t work but you still want to volunteer, please consider our adopt-a-trail program or reach out to organize your very own volunteer day!