1. What endangered species live at Somme Prairie Grove?
2. What are the major threats to this preserve?
3. What is the history of these 90 acres?
4. Are there changes to watch for in the future?
5. Why doesn’t this preserve have a closer parking area?
6. Is it okay to pick mushrooms, flowers and seeds, walk dogs, and picnic at Somme Prairie Grove?
7. Any advice for walking on muddy trails?
8. Why is there a screen of brush along the edge?
9. How much burning is done here?
10. Where can I get more information about this site?

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1. How many endangered species live at Somme Prairie Grove?

This 90-acre preserve supports eight species (some represented by two or more populations) listed as Endangered or Threatened by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Also present are one species that has been removed from the state list because its recovery is proceeding well and two other species that have been proposed for federal listing but are not yet official.

Unfortunately, we can’t release the names of the individual species because a very few unscrupulous people would then have increased ability to find and dig them up or steal their seeds. The preserve supports endangered and threatened plant species of prairie, savanna, shrubland and wetland habitats.

2. What are the major threats to this preserve?

In recent decades, invasive plants have been the principle threats. A few invasive (exotic and native) species under modern conditions can crowd out the hundreds of natural species of prairie, savanna, shrubland, oak woodland and wetland habitats. Invasive species are controlled best for the long run through fire, but in the short run it is also necessary to cut and herbicide some species in some situations.

The second greatest threat is overpopulated white-tailed deer. These beautiful animals and a natural part of these ecosystems, and they deserve affection, respect and protection from cruelty. But excessive numbers have eliminated some plant and animal species from the preserve and would eliminate many more without control. Their numbers have been controlled here for two decades by lethal culling (the only effective method in this situation) by Forest Preserve District and village staff and contractors as regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Other serious threats include plant and animal poachers; unleashed dogs that kill or frighten away some species of wildlife of conservation concern; dumping of salt, toxics and other refuse along the boarders; and trampling of small populations of rare plants by off-trail activities.

For more details about solutions to these problems, see “Stewardship Priorities” and the “Volunteer Roles.” (To help out or get more information, please contact us.)

3. What is the history of these 90 acres?

In 1839, the Public Land Survey (created by Thomas Jefferson) recorded that the southerly and easterly parts of this preserve were oak savanna, and the west and north edges were prairie. There is a good account of the Native American and early Euro-American history of the preserve in William Stevens’ “Miracle Under the Oaks.” In 1926 or 1927 the Werhane family sold much of this preserve to the Forest Preserve District. Parts were subsequently maintained as cropland (and perhaps pasture) by the Werhanes for at least a decade after that.

There is little record of what happened during the 1940s through the 1970s, but in 1980 the centers of former pasture areas were still open grassland—with varied widths of brushland extending from the edges of the original oak groves and Forest Preserve District “reforestation” plantings. The oak savannas or woodlands were densely overgrown with invasive trees and shrubs, mostly European buckthorn.

Parts of the site were heavily used by “recreational vehicles” and for youth “party spots.” Widespread areas were badly rutted by vehicles—in some places looking almost like plowed fields—but other areas still contained pockets of good quality vegetation and rare wildlife. Over time, vehicles were excluded by heavy logs placed across key access areas (courtesy of the Village of Northbrook Department of Public Works), a split rail fence (thanks to the Northbrook Civic Foundation), and the development of a brushy peripheral ‘hedge’ in other areas.

Deer had been absent or rare, but returned and gradually built high populations in the seventies or eighties. Foxes were common until the coyotes returned in the nineties. The first controlled burn in recent decades (the Werhanes cut and burned brush) was supervised by Forest Preserve District naturalist Charles Westcott in the early 1980s. There is considerable information on recent history, especially the details of restoration, in "Printed Matter."

4. Are there changes to watch for in the future?

We were promised an interpretative kiosk and trail signage at the trail head by the Forest Preserve District in August 2006. Despite many understandable snafus, we expect that signage to appear at “any time.” We have requested an expansion of the “walk lights” at Dundee and Waukegan to include the north side of Dundee, to protect visitors and ease access to the preserve.

A controlled burn is expected in the spring of 2007.

Areas of brush are cut on weekend workdays (everyone is welcome; see workday schedule) according to a prioritized plan and weather conditions. These areas are seeded with rare seed and gain quality like the surrounding areas over a few years.

5. Why doesn’t this preserve have a closer parking area?

People used to park at the industrial spur off Waukegan. The Village had a lot of trouble with this “service road” area being used for overnight truck parking, disposal of stolen vehicles, garbage dumping, etc. Although serving as temporary access to the preserve, it had also been a source of vehicle trespass, dumping, plant and seed poaching, and other misuse.

Also—we’re told that the long range plan is for this entire area to be closed off and vehicle access needs satisfied by a new turnoff from the expressway (with a traffic signal and the ability to turn both north and south on Waukegan). If and when the entrance and exit for the businesses down this service road are tied in with the light, the southern part of the service road (where we once parked) will be vacated and made a part of the preserve.

In 2006, the parking for Somme Prairie Grove was changed to the regular Somme Woods parking lot on Dundee Road. An unexpected benefit was that two species of breeding birds, missing in previous years, returned to breed, probably because people didn’t continue to run their dogs from the convenient service road parking area. It’s less convenient to reach Somme Prairie Grove by crossing Waukegan. But the preserve is a more natural and pleasant place to visit once you’re there. Some who are looking for wild nature drive for hours to find it. Here we have only to cross a busy street. It takes a couple of minutes, but we have a wilder, better place to visit once we’re there.

6. Is it okay to pick mushrooms, flowers and seeds, walk dogs, and picnic at Somme Prairie Grove?

The Forest Preserve District does not allow gathering plants from any forest preserve without a permit. Although a person could argue that picking a few common species of mushrooms or dried seed heads would not likely do harm, respect for the rule may be especially important in this preserve since most people would not recognize the rare or endangered species they may be impacting. And even if they do, their example would likely be followed by others that do not.

It is not legal to have dogs off leash in any forest preserve except special “dog parks,” for which a permit is needed. It is especially important to observe the rule in this preserve because of the threat to many rare species of ground and shrub-nesting birds, rare snakes and other wildlife. Also, this preserve gets too much trampling as it is, considering its ecological sensitivity and importance.

Picnicking generally is not a good use of this preserve. During volunteer workdays, crew leaders select areas of less sensitivity for snacks and relaxation after work. Everyone, of course, is welcome to join in these. Other than that, it’s probably best to picnic elsewhere, especially during the growing season.

7. Any advice for walking on muddy trails?

Trail surfaces at Somme Prairie Grove are planted with path rush (Juncus tenuis), which makes an excellent walking surface while inhibiting erosion. Such trails are maintained ecologically but are designed for light use.

After heavy rains it is best to walk “very lightly” or to use other preserves until these trails dry out enough. If you must choose between walking on a part of a trail that is deteriorating into mud—and walking on the adjacent vegetation—please walk on the vegetation immediately to the side on the trail. It will heal faster than a trail churned to mud.

8. Why is there a screen of brush along the edge?

The principal function of the managed brush edge is to exclude vehicles. Large areas of the site were reduced to bare dirt by “recreational” vehicles for many years before restoration and stewardship began (see history). During wet weather, many areas were essentially plowed by wheel ruts. Great amounts of trash were dumped.

A second reason is to retain buffer that benefits both people and wildlife. Many bird species won’t nest close to busy roads, thus reducing the potential nesting area of the preserve. Many people who visit appreciate the visual blessing of seeing nature (rather than homes, businesses and vehicles) on three sides.

In the early 1990s, one vehicle-access area was closed with a split-rail fence donated by the Northbrook Civic Foundation. But the long term goal is a living thicket of native shrubland and oak woodland species. Areas receiving sufficient light were planted in the 80s and 90s with plum, hazel, oak and other species that make a good natural barrier. Most of the vegetation is currently buckthorn. That species is gradually being cut and replaced (especially the seed-producing females) by the planted species and existing sumac, hawthorn, viburnum and others, as fast as they will grow. But it’s a slow process.

9. How much burning is done here?

About half the easily burnable area sees prescribed fire every year. Areas that would only burn (and then explosively) under extreme conditions are left for brush clearing and replanting, following which they too will burn with easily controlled ground fires. The “easily burnable areas” are the grasslands and the oak woodlands (which have sufficient oak leaf litter to carry a fire).

10. Where can I get more information about this preserve?

There are lists of references that discuss this preserve in Popular Accounts and Technical References. Many additional articles are findable through Google.