Organization: Lake County Forest Preserve District

Lake/River Basin: Lake Michigan

Project Description: Spring Bluff Nature Preserve is protected for its high-quality plant communities and wildlife habitat. Monitoring indicates that important wetland and prairie communities are being lost to the spread of invasive wetland plants, including hybrid cattail, which is likely linked to an altered hydrologic regime. In 2007, the District began invasive plant control across 88 acres and initiated a baseline hydrologic study. The goal of Phase II is to continue the progress of invasive plant control. Project activities include selective herbicide treatment of target species combined with prescribed fire. In addition, one key surface water outlet that has obstructed surface water flow, especially during spring storm events, will be maintained to allow conveyance of flow. Water levels at the culvert and adjacent wetlands will be monitored for the duration of the project. The District is partnering with the Illinois State Geological Survey.
 

	Native plants recolonizing sedge meadow that was dominated by cattails prior to control efforts. Photo by Lake County Forest Preserve District.
	Installation of a shallow groundwater well and staff gage in a wetland previously dominated by invasive cattails. Photo by Illinois State Geological Survey.