Volunteers to Restore College of DuPage Prairie, Natural Areas

Join College of DuPage this fall at outdoor work events to restore the Kirt Prairie and other natural areas on the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd.

Workdays are 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 8 and 22, and Nov. 5 and 19; 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, Sept. 18, and Oct. 2, 16 and 30; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays Sept. 19, and

Oct. 2, 17 and 31; and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Sept. 14 and 28, and Oct. 26. Volunteers will cut brush, collect and process seeds, transplant and weed invasive plants.

The College also will host a lecture on birding from retired English adjunct faculty member John Cebula from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the Health and Science Center Atrium. Attendees will learn about grassland and woodland habitats of local species of birds and receive information on bird watching as a hobby. Cebula also will lead a birding tour from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the northwest trailhead of the Kirt Prairie. Participants will view and learn about as many as 30 of the more than 100 different bird species that make the prairie their home or pass through the prairie returning from their winter migration.

Additional events include a talk by Morton Arboretum Natural Resources Technician Bryan (Spencer) Campbell from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 21, in the Health and Science Atrium. Campbell will discuss the benefits of planting native plants and creating habitat for local flora and fauna.

From more information about the events and workdays, contact Outdoor Lab/Prairie Manager Remic Ensweiler at ensweilerr@cod.edu.

First planted in 1985, Kirt Prairie lies on clay and gravel excavated during construction of the Student Resource Center and covered with a thin layer of imported topsoil to enable seed spreading and planting. The area comprises approximately six acres of marsh, a one-acre retention pond, 11 acres of reconstructed prairie and savanna, and a quarter mile of seed production beds. Over a half mile of trails, including a 1/6-mile wheelchair accessible stretch, allows easy access for non-consumptive recreational use.

The Glen Ellyn campus is also home to the B.J. Hoddinott Wildlife Sanctuary, the oldest restoration area, which includes a nine-acre marsh and wetland area dedicated in 1983, as well as a 15-acre Ecological Study Area comprising three acres of marsh, four acres of successional woodland and eight acres of reconstructed prairie. The Ecological Study area also includes more than a half mile of trails available for non-consumptive recreational use.

The College’s prairie and natural areas feature nearly 300 species of native tallgrass plants. In addition, the area also hosts a variety of wildlife including many species of insects, toads, frogs, turtles, small mammals, coyotes and birds such as warblers, wading birds, owls and hawks.

Learn more about the natural restoration areas at College of DuPage.