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News from Garfield Farm |
Garfield Farm Museum’s annual Prairie,
Woodlands, and Wetlands Management Seminar to be held on Saturday,
February 21, from 8 am - 4:30 pm brings together experts and prairie
enthusiasts in a day filled with fascinating sessions on how to make
Illinois’ climate, soil, and plants work for property owners. The
seminar covers typical native plants found in the region, methods of
raising them from garden borders to vast acreages, controlled burns,
selecting trees that will enhance property values and how to save money
and time.
With a tighter economy and a
need to rediscover real values that have long term impacts for the good
of society and the environment, private property owners, public sector
park employees, and natural area volunteers can best benefit from the
years of experience these presenters offer.
The morning starts with a discussion of how to
research a property’s natural history, using library and map
research, followed by native plant identification methods. The speakers
then turn to specific use of native plants and trees in restorations to
more formal or urban garden settings. Controlling invasive species
through the use of controlled burns, mechanical, and chemical methods
will be discussed in the afternoon. This is a particularly important
topic since many property owners spend a great deal of time fighting
aggressive species.
The seminar will feature four speakers, Conner Shaw
and Roy Diblik as well as Garfield’s own Jerome Johnson and John
Engstrom. Garfield’s Natural Areas Manger, John Engstrom, makes
his Prairie Management Seminar debut. John has worked with the
St.Charles Township Park District and the Dundee Open Space Program,
and is completing his first season with the museum as a valuable
addition to the Garfield staff.
Roy Diblik and his late business associate, Craig
Sensor, founded Natural Gardens in St. Charles, IL with Diblik
developing methods of growing native plants from seed. In 1991, Diblik
established Northwind Perennial Farm in Springfield, WI providing
native plant material, designs and installations for private and
commercial customers. His credits include Millennium Park in Chicago to
estates in Lake Forest, IL and Lake Geneva, WI. He is author of Roy
Diblik's Small Perennial Gardens: The Know Maintenance Approach,
Conner Shaw founded Possibility Place Nursery near
Monee, IL. All the native trees Shaw sells are grown from seed
collected from the wild, producing specimens that are well prepared for
transplanting. His method produces a high number of roots that gives
each tree a better chance for survival. Shaw’s knowledge of what
conditions will cause native trees and shrubs to thrive makes this
presentation valuable to all property owners.
John Engstrom and Johnson will complete the session
with a discussion of management methods to encourage and increase
native plantings in woods, open or wet areas. Ways to control invasive
species of plants that left alone will overtake any type of local
ecosystem will be discussed. Controlled burns, herbicide use, weeding
or cutting need to be integrated into any plan for the maximum impact.
Engstrom will add his comments on the collection of seed for
propagation.
Garfield Farm Museum offers other great
opportunities for the environmentally conscious such as natural area
guided tours, apple tree grafting seminars, lectures on loss of genetic
diversity, an heirloom garden show and more. Hands-on experience can be
gained through Garfield Farm Museum’s prairie volunteer program
where participants are welcome to assist with controlled burns, brush
removal, seed collecting and planting throughout the year. Please ask
for a calendar when calling for a reservation.
There is a $50 fee for the
seminar and lunch to be held at Garfield Farm Museum, five miles west
of Geneva, IL off ILL Rt. 38 on Garfield Road. Handouts will be
provided but participants should come prepared to take notes.
Reservations can be made by calling (630) 584-8485 or email
info@garfieldfarm.org. Garfield Farm Museum is a 370 acre historically
intact former 1840s prairie farmstead and teamster inn being restored
by donors and volunteers from 37 states as an 1840s working farm museum.