Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards

04/25/2026

Spring has arrived in the prairie—and it doesn’t wait around. This morning’s tour at Shoe Factory Road Nature Preserve revealed a burst of fleeting beauty: bird’s-foot violets, golden alexanders, and buzzing pollinators already hard at work. These rare remnant prairies are alive with color, contrast, and quiet urgency—catch them while they last.

Join us for a workday and help care for these important habitats:

📍 Hoffman Estates, IL
🕘 9AM–Noon | Alternating Sat & Sun
📅 poplarcreekprairiestewards.org



🎶

04/21/2026

Spring planting is here—and it all starts with seeds in hand 🌱

Each spring Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards batch our carefully designed seed mixes into equal bags, then head out into the woods and grasslands. Each volunteer takes a carefully flagged square of earth, spreading one bag to create an even layer.

This is how biodiversity returns—plant by plant, season by season—building habitats that are richer, more resilient, and more alive for everyone who walks these trails… and everything that calls them home.

We’re proud of what’s been restored so far. And we’re just getting started.

If you’re in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, come spend a morning with us. We’d be glad to have you.

📍 Hoffman Estates, IL
🕘 9AM–Noon | Alternating Sat & Sun
📅 poplarcreekprairiestewards.org

🎵

03/23/2026

Spring has officially sprung!! 🌞🌱🐍

Janet caught this wild moment at one of our sites—a garter snake mating ball in full motion. As temperatures rise, these snakes emerge from hibernation and gather in massive groups like this, all part of their spring breeding season.
It might look a little chaotic, but it’s actually one of the most fascinating signs that winter is over and life is waking back up again.

Interesting in joining us at a workday?
Visit our website (link provided below)
📍 Site locations: Schaumburg Rd Grasslands & Carl Hansen Woods
🕘 9AM–Noon | Alternating Sat & Sun
📅 poplarcreekprairiestewards.org

03/01/2026

Color plot twist! 🤎🤍
Throwing it back to a summer seed-collecting day with White Prairie Clover (Dalea candida) and Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)…
guess what?
White Prairie Clover has brown seeds. Purple Prairie Clover has white seeds.
Nature said, “Let’s keep them guessing.” 😂🌾
These little surprises are what make seed-collecting days so much fun — and so rewarding. We can’t wait for more days like this next season. Come join us!

📍 Forest Preserves of Cook County- Sites: Carl Hansen Woods and Schaumburg Road Grasslands �🕘 9AM–Noon | Alternating Sat & Sun�📅 poplarcreekprairiestewards.org



📷 Video:
🌼 Native Plant Specialist: Janet Wukasch
🌳 Stewardship Partner:

09/13/2025

07/24/2025

Using brushcutters and scythes on black mustard last Saturday. A very sweaty job on a humid day, even at 75°. But thunderstorms sent us home early.

01/14/2025

What’s not to like about a snowy morning, with some hot fires, while we restore some Oak Woodlands! 

11/24/2024

Splitgill mushroom found by Jesse at yesterday's workday at Schaumburg Road Grasslands. It is less than 1 inch in diameter.