Followup: Saturday June 26 Workday

Thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday to botanize!  It was a beautiful sunny day (I have the sunburn to prove it) and it was a pleasure to see new and old faces alike. Special thanks to Paul, John, and Katrina who came out from the Indiana Nature Conservancy.  We now have a much better idea of the plant species who live in this natural area (see attached list), and cleaned up garbage to boot!  For those who weren’t able to stay the whole time, you missed the contentious debate over the identification of the seaside arrow grass, Triglochin maritima.  Exciting, since this is an unusual plant, but Zhanna Yermakov (Nature Area Manager) at Chicago Park District confirmed that in fact it was planted at RBD.

As I mentioned on Saturday, I am leaving for a field season abroad from July-November.  Luckily, Paul Grabowski and Robbie Shymanski are willing to take over in my absence. Look forward to invasive species removal in July, and then a bird walk in September, guided by local bird expert and Ph.D. student Nick Block.  Though official CPD workdays will decrease in frequency until my return, I know that South Shore community members are an active and passionate bunch that will continue to look after RBD on their own.

*Mark your calendars!*
Upcoming workdays at Rainbow Beach Dunes:
Saturday, July 31, 10am-12noon: Weed/Invasive species management
Saturday, September 25, 7-9 am: Bird walk

Saturday June 26: Plant inventory

Please join us for our next workday at Rainbow Beach Dunes, where we will attempt to inventory the plant species that are growing at the nature area.  Come learn about the plants here or teach others.  All you need is curiosity and a keen sense of observation; but if you have botany skills and plant field guides, please bring those too!
Our plant hunt will last from 10am – 12noon.

You have a special incentive to come because the milkweed and prickly pear are flowering, and woodcocks are having babies!

Rainbow Beach is located at 3111 E. 77th St.  By foot, walk east from South Shore Dr. on 77th St.  By car, enter from 79th St., go past the water treatment plant, and park in the first parking lot.  The nature area is at the southern end of the beach. Meet at the Rainbow Beach Fieldhouse. Tools and equipment will be provided, but please bring water and dress appropriately for the weather. Contact Alison Anastasio at alison.anastasio@gmail.com for questions and to RSVP.

*Mark your calendar! Other upcoming workdays at Rainbow Beach:
Saturday July 31 – Weed/Invasive plant management
Saturday September 25 – Bird Walk