Service: Maintenance & Stewardship Activities

An ongoing maintenance program is important to ensure the health of any natural area. Weed seeds are continually dispersed by wind, water, birds, and other animals.  Common weeds often found in wet buffers include cattails, common reed, thistle, Reed canary grass and sandbar willow saplings.  Many of these aggressive invaders can creep upland, growing into prairies and other open areas.  Buckthorn, honeysuckle and garlic mustard are undermining our native woodland areas. The remaining natural areas within Illinois need effective management to help them survive due to the many pressures exerted on our native systems.