Brats To Sizzle, Brush To Burn At Orland Grassland Cleanup Event

ORLAND PARK, IL — Volunteers soon will help with seasonal brush clearing at Orland Grassland—treated to a tasty reward when they're done. Helpers will clear small shrubs and trees at the nature preserve, burning large brush piles to clear the debris, while brats sizzle over the piles.

On Saturday, Feb.14 from 9 a.m. to noon, the Orland Grassland Volunteers will celebrate the winter brush clearing season with their free, annual Brats & Burn event. Meetup is on the west side of the site on 104th and Old Farm Road Trail at old 175th Street. Street parking is in the subdivisions across the street.

It’s just in time for Valentine's Day, which means in addition to brats sizzling on the burning brush pile, green peppers and onions steaming, foil-wrapped potatoes tossed in the hot coals, there will be, of course, a hot chocolate bar and tasty treats.

“Clearing the interior of the prairie of invasive shrubs and trees is important in many ways”, said Pat Hayes, volunteer Site Steward for Orland Grassland Land and Water Reserve, a Forest Preserves of Cook County site. “These highly aggressive growers quickly overtake the prairie’s ecosystem. They will fragment the prairie into small parcels not suitable for grassland birds and provide support for predatory species."

Using loppers and bow saws for this work, volunteers hand cut the shrubs and small trees and burn the cuttings in large brush piles to remove the debris. The prairie habitat is lost when woodies like callery pear and other invasive trees, autumn olive, honeysuckle and buckthorn shrubs take over. Once it's all removed, seeding and prescribed burns will follow and the grassland birds, butterflies, bees, dragonflies, snakes and mammals will follow them. A flourishing and vibrant prairie ecosystem is on its way.

"We love this time of year", said Bill Fath, volunteer steward. "It's invigorating for the body and spirit. We enjoy the exercise in nature in the cold of winter knowing that we are launching another sequence of events that will bring life back to the grassland", he said.

The Orland Grassland Volunteers will provide the tools, work gloves, guidance and the refreshments. Participants should dress for the weather, with sturdy shoes and socks that cover the ankles for working in natural terrain, If the event is cancelled due to weather, notice will be placed on their website homepage. Also find there information about the work the volunteers do.

The activity is recommended for adults, singles, couples and groups. Minors aged eight to 18 can participate as part of a sponsored group.

To RSVP or get more information, contact Pat Hayes at 708-220-9596 or ptihys@yahoo.com, or visit the Orland Grassland Volunteers website at http://www.orlandgrassland.org.