Friends of Pilcher Park Nature Preserve

06/20/2026

🌿 Join ParkLands Foundation Nature Quest Challenge! 🦋🐦

ParkLands Foundation is excited to invite nature enthusiasts, families, and outdoor explorers to participate in ParkLands Nature Quest Challenge, a six-week community event that combines outdoor adventure with citizen science!

📅 Challenge Dates: June 20 – July 26, 2026

Participants are encouraged to visit featured ParkLands preserves and document the plants and animals they discover using the free iNaturalist and/or eBird mobile apps. Every observation helps contribute valuable data to scientific research while encouraging exploration of our local natural areas.

📍Featured Preserves:
• Letcher Basin Preserve
• Chinquapin Preserve
• Merwin Preserve
• Lexington Preserve
• Moon Preserve

You can explore independently or attend one of our Nature Quest partner events throughout the challenge. At the end of the six weeks, participants will have the opportunity to win prizes in several categories! You must be registered in ParkLands Foundation Nature Quest Challenge to be eligible for prizes.

📱 Before getting started, download the free iNaturalist and/or eBird apps (available for Apple and Android devices) and create an account. Instructions for using both apps, preserve information, trail maps, and driving directions will be available on ParkLands Foundation website (https://www.parklandsfoundation.org).

🎉 Nature Quest Kick-Off Event
Join us on June 20 at the Illinois Art Station to learn about the challenge, associated events, and how to use the iNaturalist app. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice making observations in the surrounding native gardens. This event is perfect for anyone new to iNaturalist.

Find more details and event information on ParkLands Foundation website and events page (http://parklandsfoundation.org/nature-quest). We hope to see you out on the trails this summer!

06/20/2026

It’s lightning bug season!

Catching lightning bugs is a summer rite of passage. But do you know how these bugs light up? Or why?

06/20/2026

06/20/2026

Removing or killing trees is sometimes a necessary part of land management, and girdling provides us with an option that has added environmental benefits to native species. After the girdling is completed, the tree is left to die over the course of a few months or a few years (depending on the size and age of the tree). As it dies and decays, nutrients are released back into the soil to be used by other species.

Fallen limbs and, eventually, the fallen trunk, create habitat for a diverse range of species to use for shelter and food. Beetles, snakes, salamanders, and woodpeckers all require tree fall for nesting and foraging. Small mammals will also use decaying wood to keep warm over winter periods and protect themselves from predators. Tree fall is a natural occurrence in forest habits and girdling allows land managers to mimic that process while removing invasive or overly crowded trees.
https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/api/CPSFile/29819/666_VT_IR_Forest_Stand_Improvement_Girdling_2021

06/20/2026

Why girdle a tree rather than cut it down?

“Girdling is a commonly used habitat and forest management technique that deadens a tree, without felling it, for a specific purpose.

Girdling involves the removal of bark and cambium from the target treeusing continuous and connected cuts that completely encircle the entire tree. Girdling destroys the cambium so no growth can occur and disrupts the flow of water and nutrients in the tree.

*Girdling is a good alternative when a tree cannot be safely felled or where felling a large tree will cause substantial damage to nearby trees or important regeneration.

*This technique can be used to provide additional snags for habitat in a forest stand or to release a more desirable tree or trees.

Girdling provides a supply of dead and
dying trees that provide loose bark for roosting bats, cavities for birds and mammals and feeding sites
for a variety of species. When girdled snags fall to the ground, they provide important large woody material that provides cover for salamanders, travel ways for mammals, drumming sites for grouse, feeding sites for black bear (carpenter ants) and builds forest soils and retain moisture.

https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/api/CPSFile/29819/666_VT_IR_Forest_Stand_Improvement_Girdling_2021

06/19/2026

The hours and days after a devastating storm can feel overwhelming.

We know many Illinois residents and communities are facing significant storm damage, power outages, cleanup challenges, and a lot of uncertainty after yesterday's round of fast-moving, severe storms.

If you need help knowing where to start, lean on our practical, research-based guidance to assess tree damage, manage food safety during power outages, navigate safe cleanup after flooding, and keep you and your family safe.

✅ Explore storm and disaster recovery and preparedness resources: https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/after-storm-illinois-extension-shares-resources-storm-recovery-rebuilding-disaster

A few things to keep in mind:
• Put safety first, especially around downed power lines and large tree limbs.
• Be cautious with cleanup, some jobs are better left to trained professionals.
• Take care with food after power outages — know what to keep or toss.
• Check in on neighbors, especially those who may need extra help.

👉 Have questions? We're here to help! Reach out to your local Extension office: go.illinois.edu/ExtensionOffice

With: Safe Electricity