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- Jean C. Mooring, Editor -
A Rare Species To Appreciate:
Graham's Crayfish Snake
Riding your bike along the Illinois Prairie Path Geneva Spur through the
West Chicago Prairie, you probably won't see this shy fellow. Even if you
get off your bike and walk into the prairie, you still won't see him, but
you may at least find evidence of his favorite food and living quarters:
crayfish and the holes they burrow into. The reticent resident is a snake,
Graham's crayfish snake (Regina grahamii), which was recently discovered
by, a Forest Preserve ranger sunning itself on the Prairie Path at the West
Chicago Prairie.
Although eastern Illinois represents the easternmost edge of the snakes
range, which extends west to Iowa and south to Texas and Louisiana, the
snake was thought to be possibly extinct in DuPage County due to rampant
habitat destruction. Forest Preserve officials and staff were, therefore,
delighted by the finding of this rare species because it is an indicator
of high quality wet prairies and wetlands, which continue to exist today
in DuPage County largely as a result of the successful land acquisition
and ecosystem management efforts of the District.
Graham's crayfish snake is an unspectacular smallish snake, usually
between 18 and 28 inches long (the record length is 47 inches), comparable
in size and temperament to a garter snake. Though harmless, both can emit
an unpleasant musk when captured. Graham's crayfish snake is brown or
yellowish-brown above, with a yellow or tan stripe along the lower sides,
which may be bordered by a thin, dark brown line. The belly is white or
very light gray, and sometimes has a central row of gray or brownish dots.
It eats primarily crayfish but will also eat tadpoles and frogs, and small
fish. It lives in the burrows of crayfish at the edges of wetlands or
areas of high perched water tables in prairies. The snake mates in April
and May, and 15-20 young are born live in late summer.
The information in this article was supplied by Brook McDonald and Mike
Redmer of the Forest Preserve District. They ask everyone to help protect
the many valuable plants and animals found in the forest preserves along
the Illinois Prairie Path. Remember: "Look but do not take."
Please report violators to District headquarters, 630-790-4900.
ICC Postcard Campaign Heating Up
"People are starting to see red," say the Friends of the Prairie
Path. As most Path users know, the Friends group was formed almost five
years ago to defend the trail from the 138,000-volt Commonwealth Edison
transmission lines proposed for a four-mile stretch of the Path between
Warrenville and Wheaton. The threat to the trail is real, as a glance at
any high tension line in the area shows: when the 85-foot steel towers go
up, the trees will come down, and this beautiful section of the popular
nature trail will be destroyed. A frightening precedent will also be set:
the entire Illinois Prairie Path national recreation trail, which for thirty
years has co-existed amicably with Com Ed's lower voltage 34-kilovolt lines
on inconspicuous 30-foot wood poles, will be vulnerable to similar degradation.
Red is the color of the postcards the Friends are urging everyone to
mail to the Illinois Commerce Commission, which has just completed the
second round of hearings on this issue. A final decision is expected in
the fall. The postcard reads: "I am opposed to Com Edison's plan
that would destroy the Illinois Prairie Path, changing DuPage County forever."
It is important to understand that although other less costly and less
damaging routes for the power lines do exist, Com Ed is determined to
establish once and for all its legal right to use its easement on the
Prairie Path right-of-way for transmission lines of any magnitude at any
time because it claims that land acquisition costs may be less. The health
and happiness of citizens and the preservation of a national recreation
treasure can not be measured easily in dollars and cents if the bottom
line is the only thing that counts.
Please show Com Ed and the ICC that you count too.
Mail the enclosed card to the ICC today. More cards are available from
the Friends of the Prairie Path. Call Connie Schmidt, 630-393-6276. Remember
that we are not alone. Other intervenors on behalf of the integrity of
the Path include The Illinois Prairie Path not-for-profit corporation,
DuPage County, the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, the City of
Warrenville, the Warrenville and Wheaton Park Districts and CUB, the Citizens
Utility Board. Over the years, many of these agencies and many others
including the Illinois Departments of Transportation and Conservation
and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority have spent an aggregate
of more than 5 million dollars acquiring and improving the Illinois Prairie
Path. The bottom line should reflect these investments too.
Together we can win! Cards are also available at the Wheaton, Warrenville,
and Glen Ellyn Park Districts and Libraries, as well as at many local
businesses.
We Have One Thousand New Members!
David Tate, IPP membership chair, reports this impressive statistic, which
brings total IPP membership to 2,050. We haven't attracted so many new members
since our famous Volunteer Bridge project in 1983-84. David attributes this
great leap forward to the free maps and membership information contained
in the mailboxes which he has attached to each of our active display cases
along the Path. He began the program last year and has been regularly maintaining
and monitoring the boxes ever since. The 1000th new membership belongs to
Doug and Nancy Mahar of Pleasant Hill Road, Wheaton, who joined at the $50
Sustaining level after picking up a free Path map from the display case
stand at County Farm Road. We extend a warm welcome to the Mahars and tip
our collective hat to David for this outstanding achievement. Congratulations
and many thanks!
Newlyweds Phil and Margie Hodge now at Home in Tennessee
The wedding in Connellsville, Pennsylvania on June 10 was a blast, say the
Prairie Path friends and supporters who attended. They include Nancy Hesler
and Brit Hurlbert, Paul, Jean, and Margaret Mooring, and Karen Fonte, who
worked for the Wheaton Park District when Volunteer Bridge was being built
and is now on the staff of the Will County Forest Preserve District.
A six-foot-long, rainbow-shaped and -colored cake set the happy tone
for the festivities, enhanced by balloons and the many-hued dresses of
the attendants which matched the groom's tie and cumberbund, all garments
handmade by the bride. The ceremony in Immaculate Conception Church was
followed by a reception in the nearby park, where a brief shower did not
dampen the high spirits of family and friends safely under the roofs of
two large, side-by-side picnic shelters.
The wedding gift from the Moorings was a framed drawing by our favorite
Newsletter illustrator Susan Terwedow of Phil and Margie (who are both
pilots) riding in an open World War I plane, followed by Margie's three
children in three smaller planes of similar vintage. All trail personalized
Snoopy scarves as they fly high over Volunteer Bridge following a path
which leads into a bright future with hills and dogwood trees.
Phil Writes that the Hodges are now at home near Spring City, Tennessee,
(appropriately called the Volunteer State) on their "new spread of
about 90 acres of hills and woods with a private landing strip, on a section
of the Tennessee River that's been dammed to form Watts Bar Lake."
He adds, "Of all the construction projects I've been a part of over
the years the Bridge will always be very, very special." Phil knows
that he will always be very special to us. He and Margie shouldn't be
surprised to see a bunch of Prairie Path volunteers beating a path to
their door!
Illinois Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Plans Grand Adventure
Mike Ulm, IRTC director, reports in the latest issue of Trailblazing
in Illinois that the Illinois Chapter has announced plans for a promotional
event to be held in May, 1996, along the entire length of the proposed Grand
Illinois Trail. As our readers will remember, the Grand Illinois Trail,
as envisioned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (formerly
the Department of Conservation), will form a loop crossing northern Illinois
twice and connecting the Chicago area to the Mississippi.
The event, dubbed "The Grand Adventure," will feature IRTC
Director Ulm hiking, bicycling, horseback-riding, roller-blading, and
possibly even canoeing segments of the Trail's entire 475-mile distance.
The chapter expects this event to bring important media attention and
public awareness to the trail, while emphasizing the need for its expedient
completion. (The goal is completion within five years.)
"We need to get people out along the route, especially in the unfinished
segments, to show local leaders that people want this trail," says
Ulm. "We plan to involve as many local organizations as possible
when the Grand Adventure crew rolls through each community." Mike
adds that the tour will probably take three weeks and, it is hoped will
generate corporate sponsorships. Participants will carry cellular phones
and plan to report progress on an Internet bulletin board. It will be
a great opportunity to publicize bed-and-breakfasts, restaurants, bike
shops, and historic and recreational sites along the way.
The Illinois Prairie Path board of directors is getting excited about
this adventure too. Paul and Jean Mooring plan to parallel the route in
their minivan, which can double as a "sag wagon." They want
to hike on all fifteen of the existing trails which will be connected
to form the Grand Illinois. Says Jean, "We hope to see Governor Edgar
on the trail, as well as many state and local officials and lots of ordinary
folks who love trails. Beautiful Illinois scenery will be on view and
there will be great photo ops. We'll keep our members posted as plans
develop."
West Chicago Builds its Section of IPP Geneva Spur
The City of West Chicago is the latest agency to take an active role in
developing the Illinois Prairie Path Geneva Spur. After much deliberation,
the city has selected the best route for the trail through the central business
district, where the Path will closely parallel the right-of-way of the famous
old Chicago, Aurora, and Elgin electric line. Between Prince Crossing Road
and Elmwood, north of the public works garage, the trail will be mostly
a ten-foot-wide concrete sidewalk (with some short limestone sections),
safely separated from traffic along Main Street and Fremont. Included is
a short, southerly detour from the new NorthWestern (now Union Pacific)
station under the Wilson Avenue bridge through the historic and picturesque
Turner Court to the new library at Washington Street. The concrete for this
2000-foot section was poured in early August.
According to city Engineer John Moore, the total contract for this parking
lot/2000-foot bike path section costs $433,000, of which approximately
half is allocated to the bike path and includes attractive retaining walls,
six or eight bike lockers and landscaping. The source of funding is a
CMAQ grant (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) which is administered
by the Illinois Department of Transportation and provides for an 80% federal
and 20%, local match. The city hopes to be reimbursed by DuPage County
for its 20% share. West Chicago also has an ongoing program to widen existing
sidewalks along the route and plans ultimately to run the trail under
the Rte.59/Neltnor bridge as well.
DuPage County Chief Engineer Chuck Tokarski says that the DuPage County
Division of Transportation is cooperating by improving the trail with
limestone and fencing on the Belding property, the section of the old
right-of-way south of the public works garage. He adds that DuPage County
will be choosing a contractor for the bridge over the West Branch of the
DuPage River and the connecting section from County Farm Road, probably
in August. Work on this final portion of the Geneva Spur will start this
fall with completion expected by the end of 1995, or at the latest, early
spring.
ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH BOARD MEMBERS, 1995
Paul Aeschleman, President .......... Oak Park
Nancy Becker, Secretary . ........... Willowbrook
Steve Hagar ......................... Palatine
Nancy Hesler ........................ Chicago
John Kacich ......................... Berkeley
Tom May ............................. Carol Stream
Jean Mooring, Newsletter Editor ..... Glen Ellyn
Paul Mooring ........................ Glen Ellyn
Ken Moss ............................ Elmhurst
Steve Plumb, Treasurer .............. Elmhurst
Bob Rawls ........................... Warrenville
David Tate .......................... Winfield
Dick Wilson ......................... Des Plaines
Susan Wisniewski, Vice President .... Bellwood
Tom Yule ............................ West Chicago
Joan Hamill, Chairman (Hon.) ........ Wayne
IPP SUMMER WORK PROJECTS COMPLETED
Saturday, May 20, 1995. Dick and Nancy Wilson and Paul and Jean Mooring
repaired two benches at Lincoln Marsh (within a month one was vandalized
again), also one each at Geneva Junction and at Founders Park, Wheaton.
Saturday, June 3, 1995, National Trails Day. Dick Wilson led the hike
on the Elgin Branch from the Members' Room in Wheaton to the junction
with the Great Western Trail west of Prince Crossing. It was a nice day
and 17 persons turned out including Dick and Nancy, two from DuPage Audubon
and several from the Sierra Club. During their half-hour lunch on the
Great Western Trail berm they handed out membership cards, Newsletters,
and other info to at least a dozen passers-by.
Saturday, June 17, 1995. Work Day at Volunteer Prairie, Wheaton. Paul
Aeschleman, Sharon Rakowski, DuPont Snowden, and Dick and Nancy Wilson
planted several hundred prairie grasses and forbs. 200 of which were donated
by the Elmhurst Park District, courtesy of Steve Plumb, while the rest
were purchased by the IPP. A good time was had by all, especially the
overheated passing bicyclists who asked for and received a cool shower
from the hose used to water the new plants. Professional landscaper and
former IPP board member Larry Sheaffer planned and directed the project.
Saturday, July 15, 1995. Paul Aeschleman, David Tate, and Dick and Nancy
repaired the bench at Lake Arrowhead using boards and hardware assembled
by Paul Mooring. They also pruned the trees on the south side of the Path
to open up a view of the lake.
WEST CHICAGO PRAIRIE EVENTS
Saturday, September 9, 1995
Seed Collection, General seed collection, mostly forbs.
9:00 a.m. - Noon.
Sunday, September 24, 1995
Field Trip. Good displays of Asters (five species), Goldenrods (four species),
Bottle Gentian and tall grasses in seed.
9:00 a.m. - Noon.
Sunday, September 24, 1995
Seed Collection. General seed collection, mostly forbs.
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 21, 1995
Field Trip. "What Flower Was This?" We will be looking at seeds
heads instead of flowers (just as striking and interesting) and enjoying
the fall colors of the prairie.
9:00 a.m. - Noon.
Saturday, October 21, 1995
Seed Collection. General and seed collection, mostly tall grasses.
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 4, 1995
Restoration Work Day. Clearing invading brush and/or raking in seed.
9:00 a.m. - Noon.
Sunday, November 19, 1995
Restoration Work Day. Clearing invading brush and/or raking in seed.
9:00 a.m. - Noon.
Saturday, December 2, 1995
Restoration Work Day. Clearing invading brush and/or raking in seed.
9:00 a.m. - Noon.
All events start from the West Chicago Prairie parking lot located on
the east side of Industrial Drive between Western and Downs. Information:
Mel Hoff, (630)393-4715 or JoAnn Monge (630)961-2041, day or evening.
FALL ACTIVITIES, rain or shine
Wednesday, September 20, 1995
A Public Forum to Review DuPage County Draft Bikeways Plan. 7:00
to 9:00 p.m. DuPage Center Auditorium, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton.
Maps will display current and planned trails and bikeways throughout the
county. Free admission. Come with your suggestions of where trails are needed!
Saturday, September 30, 1995
Rails-to-Trails Day, ten-mile hike on the Fermilab Trail and Illinois
Prairie Path. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Wilson Hall (Fermilab main building).
Park in lot on left side of building when facing front. Bring lunch and
drink. Leader: Dick Wilson, (847) 299-7882, (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
Saturdays, September 16, October 21, and November 18, 1995
Work Days. Information: Dick Wilson (847) 299-7882 (8:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m.); Paul Mooring (630) 469-4289.
Sunday, November 5, 1995
Annual Meeting of Membership. 2:00 p.m., The Abbey, 407 W. St.
Charles Road, Elmhurst. Featured speaker to be announced. Good company,
delicious food, and a chance to meet your board of directors. Watch your
mailbox for your invitation and come on out!
MEMBERSHIP RATES: Individual $20
Family $20
Organization/Supporting $30
Sustaining $50
Patron $100
Lifetime $500
Illinois Prairie Path
P.O. Box 1086
Wheaton, Illinois 60189
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