Renwick Wetland Project Creates a Buffet for Birds

Call it plumbing with a purpose. In one of three large-scale restoration projects currently underway, the Forest Preserve District of Will County has transformed a 64-acre abandoned soybean field adjacent to the Lake Renwick Heron Rookery in Plainfield into a buffet for birds. In July, more than 3,500 linear feet of drainage tiles were removed and replaced with almost 4,000 perforated tiles to recreate quality wetland habitat.

The egrets and black-crowned night-herons that have made a seasonal home in the Lake Renwick Heron Rookery will soon be able to feast on garter snakes, crayfish, and bullfrogs attracted to the native species planted in the restoration. Compass plant, rattlesnake master, Ohio spiderwort, and monkey flower are among the 38 species of prairie seeds planted in the fall. Blue joint grass, sweet flag, marsh blazing star, cord grass, and switch grass are a sampling of the 50 species of wetland plugs that will help return the land to high-quality foraging ground.

Rock Run Preserve in Joliet is also getting a natural facelift. The project, scheduled to begin this winter, will enhance the existing wetland and prairies with several uncommon species, including wild rice, Ohio horsemint, prairie satin grass, scurfy pea, and glade mallow. The restoration will provide increased habitat for the state-threatened Blanding's turtle.

Wetland birds such as the common moorhen and pied-billed grebe will benefit from the restoration underway at Theodore Marsh in Crest Hill. A new wetland, adjacent to existing wetlands, will be created by removing fill dumped over decades. Tussock sedges will be among the plants used to return the more than 50 acres of wetland to its natural state. The project also includes restoring almost 25 acres of prairie. All three projects were funded, at least in part, by CorLands.

— Ann Hanson