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PRODID:-//North Branch Restoration Project - ECPv6.15.12.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
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X-WR-CALNAME:North Branch Restoration Project
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://northbranchrestoration.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for North Branch Restoration Project
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TZID:America/Chicago
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DTSTART:20250309T080000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260718T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260718T120000
DTSTAMP:20260713T205445
CREATED:20260307T151642Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T151642Z
UID:10001269-1784365200-1784376000@northbranchrestoration.org
SUMMARY:Watersmeet Prairie Grove
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Named for the joining of the Middle and East Forks of the North Branch of the Chicago River\, Watersmeet Prairie Grove has a wide variety of communities\, from a limey\, wet woods with unusual species such as skunk cabbage\, marsh marigold\, dog violet and fen goldenrod to open prairie shrubland with mountain blue-eyed grass\, golden sedge\, and willow aster. \nDirections: This site is located in the village of Northfield. From the Edens Expressway exit at Lake Avenue West. Go west to Wagner Road\, turn north and take Wagner to Winnetka Road\, go east on Winnetka 3/4 mile. Park on Avon Ave\, a side street to the north of Winnetka Road. We meet near the Forest Preserve sign\, at the northwest corner of the site. \nPlease RSVP (below). For more information contact John Berg at (815) 919-4916 and Eileen Sutter (773) 706-4533 or Watersmeet[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://northbranchrestoration.org/event/watersmeet-prairie-grove-2026-07-18/
LOCATION:Watersmeet Prairie Grove\, 1899 winnetka road\, northfield\, il\, 60093
CATEGORIES:Watersmeet Prairie Grove
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northbranchrestoration.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC1032-WTR.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Watersmeet Prairie Grove":MAILTO:watersmeet@northbranchrestoration.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260718T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260718T120000
DTSTAMP:20260713T205445
CREATED:20260307T220245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T220245Z
UID:10001289-1784365200-1784376000@northbranchrestoration.org
SUMMARY:Linne Prairie
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Linne Prairie is a different site from the rest of the North Branch preserves. The area was used as temporary storage for a huge pile of limestone excavated for the deep tunnel project. After most of the limestone was removed\, the contractor covered the remaining material with a layer of soil and planted purchased seeds of native plants. After the initial two years of management by outside contract\, the District and North Branch now share management\, with the eventual goal of a facsimile hill prairie. While this is not a bona fide recovering natural area\, it can still become a functioning system that is compatible with the surrounding native communities and that provides important habitat for wildlife. \nDirections: Meet at Wayside Woods Prairie Forest Preserve parking lot on the west side of Lehigh Ave\, a few blocks east of Waukegan Road and just north of Dempster. \nPlease RSVP (below). For more information contact: \nJohn Thill at   (847) 966-0231 at Linne Prairie[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://northbranchrestoration.org/event/linne-prairie-2026-07-18/
LOCATION:Linne Prairie\, 8874 Lehigh Ave\, Morton Grove\, IL
CATEGORIES:Linne Prairie
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northbranchrestoration.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DSC8752a-e1568859884132.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Linne Prairie":MAILTO:linne_prairie@northbranchrestoration.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260718T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260718T120000
DTSTAMP:20260713T205445
CREATED:20260525T014255Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260525T014255Z
UID:10001316-1784365200-1784376000@northbranchrestoration.org
SUMMARY:Somme Woods
DESCRIPTION:Somme Woods has bur and white oak savannas and woodlands with massive old oaks\, open marshes\, and ephemeral ponds. Rich with native plants and animals\, the savannas and woodlands are being restored to their original beauty. Great horned owls and red-tailed hawks nest and hunt here alongside coyotes\, raccoons\, and opossums. \nPlease RSVP (below). For more information contact Eriko Kojima at (847) 322-7420 \nDirections: Park in the Somme Woods lot on the north side of Dundee Road\, just east of Waukegan Road. Map address is 1714 Dundee Road\, Northbrook. \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://northbranchrestoration.org/event/somme-woods-2026-07-18/
LOCATION:Somme Woods\, 1714 Dundee Road\, Northbrook\, IL\, United States
CATEGORIES:Somme Woods
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northbranchrestoration.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/112a.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Somme Woods":MAILTO:somme_woods@northbranchrestoration.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260718T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260718T130000
DTSTAMP:20260713T205445
CREATED:20260307T214037Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T214037Z
UID:10001286-1784368800-1784379600@northbranchrestoration.org
SUMMARY:Oxbow Prairie
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Oxbow Prairie\, formed by an old loop in the river’s course\, lies northwest of Bunker Hill Savanna. \nThis old oxbow in the Chicago River’s North Branch is a combination of low\, wet prairie soils and slightly higher mesic prairie soils. A small open savanna lies on what was once the east bank of the river.  The mesic prairie area had been mowed by the FPDCC for recreational use and had an abundance of Eurasion grasses\, Queen Anne’s lace and tall goldenrod.  With management\, the more conservative prairie plants such as northern dropseed\, stiff goldenrod\, golden alexanders and big bluestem grass are returning. \nThe wetter areas are richest in native plants\, including cup plant\, ironweed\, tall meadow-rue\, water parsnip\, cord grass\, Virginia rye\, and numerous kinds of sedges. \nA small oak savanna on the old east bank has swamp white and bur oaks\, in the words of landscape architect and restorationist Tom Vanderpoel\, “a wonderful micro oak savanna.” \nBetween the prairie and the river lies a large floodplain woodland of cottonwood\, basswood and box elder\, where invasive garlic mustard dominates the understory. No restoration work has been done in this area yet\, and poses a challenge for the future. \nDirections: From the south\, enter the drive off Caldwell Avenue across from Tonty; proceed ~1/4 mile\, staying to the right at the split. From the north\, enter the drive off Harts Road and proceed ~3/4 mile south. Look for yellow Volunteer signs at the meeting spot.\n \nCan’t find us? Scan the QR code and follow directions: \nMeeting place \n  \nFor more information or to volunteer: \nMike Andrews (773) 405-7132 or Cammy Fortuna at Oxbow Prairie \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://northbranchrestoration.org/event/oxbow-prairie-2026-07-18/
LOCATION:Oxbow Prairie\, 6800 N Caldwell Ave\, Chicago\, il\, 60646
CATEGORIES:Bunker Oxbow Prairie
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northbranchrestoration.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Spartina-pectinata-small-01.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Oxbow Prairie":MAILTO:oxbow_prairie@northbranchrestoration.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260719T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260719T120000
DTSTAMP:20260713T205445
CREATED:20260306T015734Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T015734Z
UID:10001244-1784451600-1784462400@northbranchrestoration.org
SUMMARY:Labagh-Hernandez Woods
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Located on the North Branch of the Chicago River\, LaBagh is an important stopover point for birds during their spring and fall migration journeys. Most of LaBagh is made up of floodplain and savanna communities dominated by swamp white oak\, which thrives in wet conditions. The floodplain contains ponds and marshes that were carved out by the river hundreds of years ago. The upland areas are drier\, but often wet in the spring and fall due to poor-draining soils that allow standing water to accumulate. Join volunteers in restoring this special site along the Chicago River with a unique focus on planting native shrubs to provide bird habitat and food. \nYouth under 18 must be accompanied by a legal parent/guardian or attend with a chaperoned organized youth group (school\, scouts\, faith-based). Volunteers under age 18 must have their volunteer waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. \nVolunteer workdays are held two or more times a month at LaBagh. Contact labaghvolunteers@gmail.com to join our email announcement list. \nDirections: Enter Forest Preserve at 5275 N. Cicero\, then follow yellow volunteer signs. \nTo volunteer or for more information\, contact the Labagh team.  [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://northbranchrestoration.org/event/labagh-hernandez-woods-2026-07-19/
LOCATION:Labagh-Hernandez Woods\, 5275 N. Cicero\, Chicago\, il
CATEGORIES:Labagh Woods
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northbranchrestoration.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Botaurus-Labagh.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="LaBagh Woods":MAILTO:labagh_woods@northbranchrestoration.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260719T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260719T120000
DTSTAMP:20260713T205445
CREATED:20260307T211703Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T211703Z
UID:10001281-1784451600-1784462400@northbranchrestoration.org
SUMMARY:Wayside Woods  & Prairie
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]The village of Morton Grove has a constellation of sites. One of the fine prairie restorations along the North Branch is Wayside Woods Prairie. A former baseball diamond is now covered with prairie flowers joining two small\, high quality prairie remnants.  Many of the classic prairie plants are found here\, including grasses such as big bluestem\, switch grass and northern dropseed; stiff and Riddell’s goldenrods; tall coreopsis\, prairie dock\, compass plant and many others. \nDirections: Meet at Wayside Woods Prairie Forest Preserve parking lot on the west side of Lehigh Ave.\, a few blocks east of Waukegan Road and just north of Dempster.  \nTo volunteer or for more information\, contact: \nLarry Hodak  at Wayside Woods & Prairie[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://northbranchrestoration.org/event/wayside-woods-prairie-2026-07-19/
LOCATION:Wayside Forest Preserve\, 8874 Lehigh Ave\, Morton Grove\, il\, 60053
CATEGORIES:Wayside Prairie
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northbranchrestoration.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC0837-WAY.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Wayside Woods & Prairie":MAILTO:wayside_woods@northbranchrestoration.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260725T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260725T120000
DTSTAMP:20260713T205445
CREATED:20260308T163819Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260308T163819Z
UID:10001312-1784970000-1784980800@northbranchrestoration.org
SUMMARY:Harms Flatwoods
DESCRIPTION:In the village of Skokie\, east of the Chicago River’s North Branch\, Harms Flatwoods is dominated by huge old bur and swamp white oaks\, with an understory of black ash\, winterberry\, hazelnut and other native trees and shrubs. \nIn January of 2017\, Harms Flatwoods was dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve\, in recognition of its unique ecology. Illinois Nature Preserve designation affords the strongest degree of protection for Illinois natural areas. \nDirections: Meet at the Harms Woods North lot\, Old Orchard Road and Harms Road. \nFor more information or to volunteer contact:\nJette Thomassen at 773-255-6077 or Harms Flatwoods \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://northbranchrestoration.org/event/harms-flatwoods-2026-07-25/
LOCATION:Harms Flatwoods\, IL\, United States
CATEGORIES:Harms Flatwoods
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northbranchrestoration.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Big-pond-03-1-e1566748705478.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Harms Flatwoods":MAILTO:harms_flatwoods@northbranchrestoration.org
GEO:42.06757;-87.77213
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260725T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260725T120000
DTSTAMP:20260713T205445
CREATED:20260707T200914Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260707T200914Z
UID:10001324-1784970000-1784980800@northbranchrestoration.org
SUMMARY:Forest Glen Woods
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]An important corridor for migratory birds\, Forest Glen is part of the Lower North Branch Preserves. This unique woodland\, savanna\, and floodplain ecosystem needs help from our volunteer community to remove invasive plants\, collect and distribute native seeds\, and reduce erosion issues. Join the North Branch Restoration Project with the Centennial Volunteers to learn how! \nGather at the Forest Glen parking lot\, located at 5420 N. Forest Glen Ave in Chicago. \nFor more information or to volunteer contact: \nBill Tucker at 312-206-5928 or Deb Gohr at Forest Glen[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://northbranchrestoration.org/event/forest-glen-woods-2026-07-25/
LOCATION:Forest Glen Woods Forest Preserve\, 5420 N Forest Glen Ave\, Chicago
CATEGORIES:Forest Glen Woods
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northbranchrestoration.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Buteo-jamaicensis-04-e1556849442250.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Forest Glen Woods":MAILTO:forestglen_woods@northbranchrestoration.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260726T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260726T130000
DTSTAMP:20260713T205445
CREATED:20260308T160241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260308T160241Z
UID:10001306-1785060000-1785070800@northbranchrestoration.org
SUMMARY:Miami Woods and Prairie
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nThe Miami Woods Forest Preserve covers 112 acres stretching along the west side of the North Branch of the Chicago River from Oakton Street northward to Dempster Street.  It is bounded on the west side by Caldwell Avenue\, Waukegan Road and development at the intersection of Waukegan Road and Dempster Street. The land on the east side of the river forms the Saint Paul Woods Forest Preserve. \nThe main parking lot is on Caldwell about 1/4 mile north of Oakton where there is easy access to the bike path which runs from Devon Avenue to the Botanic Garden.  From the bike path you can see and enjoy nature in the river\, woodlands and the Miami Prairie.  Things you may see include birds\, butterflies\, and native grasses and flowers that blossom and change throughout the seasons. \nMiami Woods and Prairie contain important remnants of the original grasslands and woodlands that formed the natural heritage of the greater Chicago area. (See the Chicago Wilderness Atlas and Recovery Plan at www.chicagowilderness.org) The ultimate goal within Miami Woods and Prairie (except the turf grass picnic areas) is to achieve restoration to the highest ecological condition possible using a minimum amount of management intervention. Our approach is to restore natural processes so that the area will become as self sustaining as possible. \nRestoration of the woods and prairie by Volunteers of the North Branch Restoration Project has been underway for more than 30 years.  Following a five year moratorium\, work resumed late in 2001 with thousands of hours of volunteer effort contributed annually since then.  In addition to regular North Branch workdays\, workdays have been held on multiple occasions for four elementary schools\, a high school\, three colleges\, and the Goldman Sachs company.  Help is also received regularly from the Friends of Morton Grove Forest Preserves.  Restoration activities concentrate on removal of invasive brush and weeds\, and on gathering and distributing hundreds of kinds of native seed from within the North Branch watershed. \nFurther information is available in the 2005 annual report Restoring Nature in Miami Woods\, or on the website of the Cook County Forest Preserve. \nDirections: Located on the east side of Caldwell\, two blocks north of Oakton. Meet in the parking lot for Miami Woods. \nTo volunteer or for more information contact: For more information\, contact Mike Andrews (773) 405-7132\, Mike Bingaman (773) 203-3447) or email Miami Woods Prairie[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://northbranchrestoration.org/event/miami-woods-and-prairie-2026-07-26/
LOCATION:Miami Woods Forest Preserve\, 8200 N Caldwell Ave\, Niles\, IL
CATEGORIES:Miami Woods
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northbranchrestoration.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC8436a-e1568765849385.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Miami Woods & Prairie":MAILTO:miami_woods@northbranchrestoration.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260726T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260726T183000
DTSTAMP:20260713T205445
CREATED:20260525T015050Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260525T015050Z
UID:10001319-1785081600-1785090600@northbranchrestoration.org
SUMMARY:Somme Prairie Grove
DESCRIPTION:Somme Prairie Grove is a mosaic of prairie\, savanna\, and woodland. Flowers and grasses such as purple milkweed\, cream gentian\, bottlebrush grass\, and Joe Pye weed contribute to its high quality. Indian grass\, rattlesnake master\, wild quinine\, and purple prairie clover thrive in its open areas. Rare birds and butterflies once again populate its prairies and groves. For photos and details on wildlife and flora. For a virtual tour of the site\, click here. \nTo volunteer or for more information contact:  Eriko Kojima at (847) 322-7420 \nDirections: The workday meeting place is the Forest Preserve parking lot on the north side of Dundee\, just east of Waukegan \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://northbranchrestoration.org/event/somme-prairie-grove-2026-07-26/
LOCATION:Somme Prairie Grove\, 1714 Dundee Rd\, Northbrook\, IL\, 60062\, United States
CATEGORIES:Somme Prairie Grove
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://northbranchrestoration.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/DSC_0268-SPG.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Somme Prairie Grove":MAILTO:somme_prairiegrove@northbranchrestoration.org
END:VEVENT
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