Friends of Kishwaukee Fen

04/20/2026

Malignant weeds are on the run as we refocus our efforts on critical growing season stewardship! Last week, a group of volunteers met to spray the highly invasive reed canary grass, which threatens to crowd out native fen and wetland species (like the stunning marsh marigold, pictured here) and destroy overall biodiversity. With the help of Kish Fen Friends, we can keep invasives at bay and protect the invaluable diversity of species at this site! Anyone willing to learn what it takes can have an impact – get in touch to find out more!

02/09/2026

Yesterday, stewards met to cut and burn cracked and fallen willow encroaching on the northern edge of one of Kish’s ancient fens, while also enjoying some apples baked by the blazing fire! Though willows are a native species, they have grown oversized and destructive to the wet prairie ecosystem over decades of fire suppression. Luckily, Kish Fen Friends are bringing fire and other critical stewardship back to this irreplaceable site.

Join in: Stay tuned for our next workday! Everyone is welcome, no matter the experience level.

11/10/2025

It’s rx burn prep season! Yesterday, volunteers worked to clear the fire break along the Kishwaukee River headwaters. In decades of fire-suppression, some of these gnarly willows have grown right against the site’s largest relict fen, threatening its hydrology and shading out and killing rare habitat. It feels good to serve nature.

Join in: Stay tuned for our next workday! Everyone is welcome, no matter the experience level.

08/31/2025

Join in this afternoon, Sunday, August 31, at 4:30pm, when we'll work together to gather native wetland seeds and knock back invasive purple loosestrife across a rich sedge meadow. We'll work until around 6:30, or longer, as the spirit moves us.

Come for as long as fits your schedule. All are welcome. No experience necessary.

Please RSVP to [email protected] if you're thinking of coming -- it will help greatly with preparing the correct number of tools.

See you at the fen 🌱

Park at the west end of Palmer Drive in the Village of Lakewood
42.20719° N, 88.39224° W

Check out our website
kishfenfriends.org

07/13/2025

Here are some photos from Monday, June 30, when five volunteers came together for an “after hours” session at the Nature Preserve

We each wielded a brush cutter to mow rank vegetation in sedge meadow areas under active restoration. We also collected choice ripe seeds

Next opportunity to volunteer is Monday, July 14, 4:30 to 6:30 PM. On the agenda: more mowing and seed collecting

Reach out to [email protected] to join in 🌱

05/06/2025

04/28/2025

Kishwaukee Fen Nature Preserve is home to globally rare, high-quality wetland ecosystems. But they're under attack by reed canary grass and purple loosestrife.

Sunday, May 4, come out and learn one of the most critical tools in conservation work today: the targeted use of safe herbicide to eradicate invasive thugs.

RSVP here: https://forms.gle/j38N7uvKL5AegCWD8

Together, we’ll deliver needed care to endangered fen and sedge meadow ecosystems, while planning together for the season ahead.

Totally new to conservation work? No problem! The beautiful Kishwaukee Fen needs every person who is willing to learn and do what it takes.

04/25/2025

Save the date! May 4th, Friends of Kishwaukee Fen and The Peregrines are teaming up for a day of community empowerment in service of this rare wetland ecosystem. RSVP here: https://forms.gle/1QRrKx9eQPstfNY99

Kish Fen’s wonderful native plant communities (and all living things that depend on them) are under attack by invasives like reed canary grass and purple loosestrife.

Come help liberate this ecosystem and learn to use herbicide as a force for good!

Beginner-friendly, open-to-all herbicide training (and formal certification!) will be available during the workday — empowering all to join the fight in preserving Kish’s, and many more site’s, biodiversity for today and all time 🌱

04/24/2025

Friends of the Kishwaukee Fen are hosting an Herbicide Training work day Sunday May 4th, 2025 from 9am-12pm at the end of Palmer Drive in Lakewood. The Kishwaukee Fen is a remarkable gem hidden within the village. Fens are some of the rarest and most unique ecosystems in Illinois. By learning how to responsibly use and apply various herbicide techniques, we can work together as a community to protect remnant ecological communities in our own backyard! Looking to meet great people, learn new skills, and help out your local ecosystems- join in!

Information and RSVP link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2AMKlahfZG-VV2Pbcqff9k9JDIjr-nqahZ6w_ImPVzWhj-w/viewform?usp=sf_link

04/19/2025

Volunteers this morning had a wonderful time casting native seed gathered from the fen last fall. The fen is coming to life! It was beautiful and peaceful among the sandhill cranes, song birds, and lush flowers and grasses.

04/16/2025

Please share 🌱