A healthy nature handbook : illustrated insights for ecological restoration from volunteer stewards of Chicago wilderness / edited by Justin Pepper and Don Parker.
Restoration, Nachusa style / with Jay Stacy, Bernie Buchholz, Cody Considine, Bill Kleiman, and Kaleb Baker -- Toolshed: The parsnip predator -- Backyard seed factory / with Rob Sulski -- Reclaiming Sedge meadow / with Tom Vanderpoel -- Point of craft: A twist on brushpile building -- Monitoring fit for a steward / with Dr. Karen Glennemeier -- Monitor birds, see ecosystems in 3D / with Jenny Flexman -- The society of stewardship / with Stephen Packard, Linda Masters, and Eriko Kojima -- Toolshed: The scythe.
Summary:
The Chicago metropolitan area is home to far more protected nature than most people realize. Over half a million acres of protected land known as the Chicago Wilderness are owned and managed by county forest preserve districts and other public and private sector partners. But there's a critical factor of the Chicago Wilderness conservation effort that makes it unique: a pioneering grassroots volunteer community, thousands strong, has worked for decades alongside agency staff to restore these nearby natural areas, learning how to manage biodiversity in an altered and ever-changing urban context. A Healthy Nature Handbook captures hard-earned ecological wisdom from this community in engaging and highly readable chapters, each including illustrated restoration sequences. Restoration leaders cover large-scale seeding approaches, native seed production, wetland and grassland bird habitat restoration, monitoring, and community building. Contributions from local artists bring the region's beauty to life with vibrant watercolors, oil paintings, and sketches. A Healthy Nature Handbook is packed with successful approaches to restoring nature and is a testament to both the Chicago region's surprising natural wealth and the stewards that are committed to its lasting health.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.