Habitat Restoration at Audubon-Datnow Forest Preserve, W. E. Putnam Middle School

With an abundance of mature pines, understory natives, and large oaks, Putnam’s ten acres represent much-needed urban habitat for red-tailed hawks, yellow-rumped warblers, and climate-endangered brown-headed nuthatches, and an ideal on-site outdoor classroom for students. In fall 2019 we established a large prairie/meadow area with many native plant species, in 2020 we added a split-rail fence to enclose the meadow, and in April 2021 we added two chimney swift towers. Together, we’ll continue to make that habitat even better by planting more native plants in the prairie/meadow and removing invasive plant species (e.g. Chinese privet, sacred bamboo/Nandina, English ivy) from the property.

The details: Meetup is at 9 a.m. in the school’s side parking lot off Briar Meadow Rd. If we aren’t in the parking lot when you get there, walk around the back of the school and meet us in the Jones Valley Teaching Farm area. We will be back there working at the meadow beside the swift towers. All are welcome! Feel free to come and go as your time allows.