llinois’ once-majestic prairies, savannas, and woodlands have suffered the effects of nearly two centuries of development—including suppression of fire, fragmentation, and the introduction of numerous non-native plant and animal species. Restoration seeks to reestablish a more natural balance on the open lands that remain, to create favorable conditions that can better support a wide diversity of plant and animal life.
On this page we’ll cover the most common type of restoration methods used at our location and why they are effective. At the end, you’ll find a list of questions that we often hear from community members with answers.
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Invasive Brush Removal & Burn Piles
In some areas, restoring prairie and oak woodland means removing trees. That may sound counterintuitive — but many of these trees are aggressive, non-native species that crowd out light and suppress native plants. One of the most damaging is Common Buckthorn, which now dominates millions of acres in the Midwest. Studies from the U.S. Forest Service show buckthorn can form near-monocultures that reduce native plant diversity by more than 50% and alter soil chemistry in ways that favor further invasion.
Removing buckthorn and other woody invasives restores sunlight to the forest floor, allowing remnant wildflowers, grasses, and sedges to rebound.
Downed wood is consolidated into burn piles — the most effective and ecologically sound method of disposal at our scale. All chainsaw operators and Burn Pile Burn Bosses are trained and certified through the Forest Preserves of Cook County. All burns are pre-approved, permitted, and coordinated with local emergency services to ensure safety and compliance. Safety, skill, and coordination are central to this work.
Manual Removal & Scything
Not all restoration requires heavy equipment. Much of our work is done by hand.
Volunteers hand-pull garlic mustard, Japanese hedge parsley, and other invasive species before they set seed. In some areas, we use scythes to selectively remove invasive plants while minimizing soil disturbance.
Manual removal is especially important in high-quality remnant areas where native species already exist. This careful, targeted approach protects sensitive habitat while preventing invasive species from gaining a foothold.
Prescribed Fire
Fire is not a destructive force in prairie and oak ecosystems — it is a renewing one.
For thousands of years, periodic fire maintained Illinois’ prairies and open woodlands. Fire suppresses invasive woody growth, recycles nutrients, stimulates native plant germination, and creates habitat diversity for wildlife.
PCPS does not conduct prescribed burns ourselves. All burns are managed by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and overseen by professional, certified burn bosses under strict safety protocols.
Without fire, prairie becomes shrubland, and oak woodland becomes closed forest. With fire, biodiversity flourishes.
Seed Collection, Processing & Native Planting
Every fall, volunteers collect native seed from across our sites. In November, we host a large community seed-processing event where hundreds of pounds of seed are cleaned, mixed and prepared for planting. In 2025 alone, more than 70 volunteers participated in this annual event.
Most processed seed is redistributed directly onto restoration sites to increase plant diversity and strengthen native populations. We also partner with the Chicago Botanic Garden and local specialists to grow native starter plants from collected seed. Each spring and summer, thousands of these plugs are hand-planted into restoration areas to accelerate recovery.
This cycle — collect, process, plant, monitor — is how biodiversity steadily increases year after year.
Monitoring & Adaptive Management
Restoration is guided by data.
We conduct long-term monitoring of plants, birds, butterflies, and dragonflies to measure ecological response. Bird monitoring alone has been conducted for more than 15 consecutive years using standardized point counts.
Monitoring allows us to adapt. If a species declines, we adjust management. If biodiversity increases, we build on what’s working.
Restoration is not a one-time action. It is an ongoing process of stewardship, learning, and refinement.
Forestry Mowing & Contractor Support
Some areas require larger-scale intervention to reset heavily degraded habitat. Forestry mowing removes dense thickets of invasive brush and small trees that would take years to clear by hand.
This work is performed by professional ecological restoration contractors — such as RES, Inc. — and funded through grants and community support. Contractor work accelerates restoration timelines and allows volunteers to focus on follow-up care, seeding, and long-term management.
Targeted Herbicide Application
While we prioritize mechanical and manual methods whenever possible, limited spot herbiciding is often the most effective and least disruptive tool for controlling persistent invasives at landscape scale.
When applied precisely — cut-stump, basal bark, or targeted foliar treatments — herbicide prevents re-sprouting and reduces the need for repeated soil disturbance. This allows native plants to reestablish more quickly and reduces long-term chemical use.
All herbicide applicators are licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Applications are strategic, minimal, and focused solely on invasive species.
Frequently Asked Questions
I see you’ve built a fire. Does that mean I can build a fire in the forest preserve?
No. Burn piles and prescribed fires are carefully planned, permitted, and supervised as part of official restoration work in partnership with the Forest Preserves of Cook County. They are conducted only by trained and certified personnel under strict safety protocols. Recreational fires are not permitted in restoration areas.
Why are you cutting down trees?
Some trees are invasive species such as buckthorn or are species that have overgrown prairie and savanna due to fire suppression. Removing them restores sunlight and allows native plants and oak ecosystems to recover. Restoration often involves selective removal to return the land to its historic ecological balance.
Why not just let nature take its course?
Many invasive species were introduced by humans and outcompete native plants in ways that natural systems cannot correct on their own. Active management is necessary to restore biodiversity and rebuild healthy native ecosystems.
Are you spraying chemicals?
We use limited, targeted herbicide applications when necessary to control invasive species that cannot be effectively removed by hand or cutting alone. All applicators are licensed by the State of Illinois and trained through the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Applications are precise and designed to minimize environmental impact and exposure.
Why are prescribed burns necessary?
Prairie and oak woodland ecosystems evolved with regular fire. Fire suppresses invasive woody growth, recycles nutrients, and stimulates native plant regeneration. Without fire, prairies become shrubland and oak woodlands lose their diversity.
How do you know the restoration is working?
We conduct long-term monitoring of plants, birds, butterflies, and other species. Increases in native plant diversity and the presence of sensitive grassland bird species are strong indicators of ecological recovery.
What happens to the seeds you collect?
Volunteers collect and process native seed each fall. Most is redistributed directly on restoration sites to increase plant diversity. Some seed is grown into starter plants through partnerships, and thousands of plugs are hand-planted each spring and summer.
Why do I sometimes see heavy equipment on site?
In heavily degraded areas, professional ecological contractors are used to remove dense invasive thickets more efficiently and safely than volunteers alone. This work is typically funded by grants and accelerates restoration timelines.
Can I bring my dog into restoration areas?
Dogs are welcome in designated Forest Preserve areas but should remain on marked trails and on leash. Please follow the directions on any posted signs around restoration zones. These zones may contain sensitive habitat or active management work.
How can I get involved?
We welcome volunteers of all experience levels. Visit our Volunteer page to learn about workdays, student service opportunities, and corporate group involvement.
Why does the site sometimes look “messy” after restoration work?
Restoration can temporarily look disruptive — brush piles, cut stems, or blackened areas after burns are part of the ecological recovery process. Within one growing season, native plants often respond dramatically.
Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards 