RestoreMoraine

03/26/2026

A Meaningful Morning in the Woods

Join in! this Saturday, March 28th

Gather at the end of Main State Park Road, Moraine Hills State Park, from 9:00 til noon

With spring arriving, the landscape is ready for its next chapter

A successful prescribed burn - that we did ourselves last Saturday - has cleared away last season’s leaf cover, exposing the soil beneath and creating ideal conditions for new growth

This week, we’ll be spreading seeds collected over the past year, an important step in restoring and strengthening the native plant community 🌱

🐜 Other important work will include trail maintenance. If you have a four-pronged rake to help level the trail, please bring it. We will also continue cutting and burning invasive brush to open up the woodland floor, creating space for native plants to grow and thrive

🫛The rich vegetation is starting to emerge, and the birds are returning. Come be part of the renewal! 🐧🪺

Highlights from last week, March 21

🔥After diligent planning and preparation, the Restore Moraine crew carried out a prescribed burn of the area inside the loop trail. The morning began with the team gathering at the barn to collect equipment and review the burn plan before heading into the woods to conduct the burn. Thanks to Illinois Department of Natural Resources district heritage biologist Melissa Grycan for her leadership! The burn was highly successful 🐦‍🔥

For a closer look at the day, including photos, videos and insights into why prescribed burns are so important for ecosystem health, check out Stephen Packard's blog post http://woodsandprairie.blogspot.com/2026/03/oak-woodland-burn-at-moraine-hills.html

Restore Moraine meets every Saturday morning from 9:00 to noon. If you enjoy fresh air, meaningful work, and the satisfaction of seeing immediate results, consider joining in. Everyone is welcome to help make a real and lasting difference 🐸

Reach out to the volunteer leaders at [email protected]

We serve the rare woodland ecosystem at Kettle Moraine Nature Preserve, part of Moraine Hills State Park in McHenry County

This was not an especially exciting burn. But it did a ton of ecological good for a rare and important site, and there’s a lot to learn from...

03/21/2026

Prescribed burn, March 21, 2026

It was a beautiful day for a prescribed burn in the high-quality woodland portion of Kettle Moraine Nature Preserve, part of Moraine Hills State Park

12/05/2025

As we sit under a blanket of snow, it's hard not to think fondly of the plants that will bloom from this year's seed collection. Some of the plant contributors are Early Goldenrod, Nodding onion, Shooting star, Wild Bergamot, Round Headed Bush clover, a stalk of Solomon's Seal berried, Arrowleaf Aster, New England Aster and Starry Campion.

10/31/2025

Restore Moraine Workday — Saturday, November 1

Come lend a hand to the woods on Saturday, November 1, at Moraine Hills State Park! Gather at the end of Main State Park Road By Northern Woods Trail from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Cut and burn brush and share the joy of fall stewardship together.

Highlights from - October 25

The Restore Moraine community kicked off the fall season on Saturday with a brush cut and burn event. Both new and experienced volunteers launched the fall workdays with spirit and teamwork. As we move into the cooler months, our focus shifts to cutting and burning invasive shrubs and trees that block sunlight from reaching this precious site’s rare plants and young bur and white oaks. New folks practiced safe fire-building and learned how to add brush to the fire while staying clear of smoke and embers. It was a great start to the season—and there’s a great deal of important work waiting for us.
Restore Moraine meets every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and everyone is welcome to chip in as we restore this vital habitat for rare, native plants and wildlife to thrive.

10/23/2025

Special Day in the Ecosystem Alert 🚨🌳🌾: Celebrate the practice of brush cutting and burning with fellowship and food at Moraine Hills State Park!

Volunteers are welcome to the journey of White Oak Woodland restoration. This Saturday, 10/25, 9am-noon. The Brush and Bonfire Kickoff!

Experience the impact of what a spirited team can accomplish in just three hours of service to the ecosystem.

SPREAD THE WORD! 🌿

10/21/2025

Join a meaningful mission to restore the woodlands of Moraine Hills! Volunteers will gather Saturdays, 9 am till noon to cut brush and collect seeds. Moraine Hills State Park is truly a gem—its rich biodiversity makes it a sanctuary worth protecting.