Sterne’s Woods and Fen restoration entering next phase

More invasive tree species are set to be removed from Sterne’s Woods and Fen in early 2020, as the next phase of restoration for the nature preserve begins.

The Crystal Lake Park District does not yet know exactly how many trees it is planning to remove, although Ann Viger, director of park development and interpretive services, said it is hoping for at least 40, depending on the pricing.

It is not taking down any oak trees, Viger said. Instead, the invasive species they are removing are primarily cottonwood as well as slippery elm, basswood and black walnut.

Work on that phase of the project is expected to take place in January or February 2020, when the ground is frozen enough to lessen disturbance in the removal areas, according to the Park District.

The Park District’s multi-phase project to restore the hydrology of Sterne’s Fen began in 2014.

“The emphasis, since 2014, has been to get rid of all this invasive plant material so that the fen can flourish,” Viger said. “That’s been going on for a number of years.”

The project is being funded through the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County with a stewardship grant for $34,000 from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation.

Four areas have been identified for tree removal and are ranked by priority. The exact scope of the project will be determined once bids are received for the job.

What has happened over many years, Viger said, is that invasive plants, such as weedy trees, have grown into the fen and are destroying it.

Invasive plants are doing this in two ways: by providing too much shade in the area, as fens need a lot of sunlight, and by intercepting groundwater flow the fen is dependent on.

Each large invasive tree wicks away about an estimated 700 gallons of groundwater a day, according to the Park District.

“Not every tree is great,” Viger said. “Not every tree provides benefits. Sometimes they do harm.”

Last year, the Park District held another tree and brush removal project. Because of that removal, the “good plants” that are supposed to be there have flourished and come back really strong and fast, Viger said.

“It’s a good example of how resilient native plants are,” she said.

The removal of invasive species in the area has led to an increase in wildlife, such as butterflies and birds, Viger said.

“The park board is very dedicated to taking care of this natural area because it’s so unique,” Viger said. “We’re really fortunate in Crystal Lake to have fantastic natural areas for hiking and seeing nature.”

Woodstock resident Rod Skidmore has been coming to Sterne’s Fen Nature Preserve for 16 years. Although he doesn’t like seeing how many trees have been cut down, Skidmore said the restoration is something that needs to be done.

“I’m just glad someone’s looking out for it,” said Skidmore, who tries to come to the nature preserve at least once a week. “Sometimes, I think they go a little overboard, but other than that, if we didn’t have someone who was looking after the resources, they’d be gone.”

Dana Walters, a 29-year resident of Crystal Lake, tries to go for a hike in Sterne’s every day, even in the snow.

He said he is a “big fan” of the effort to try to bring the area back to its original habitat.

“Some of the things that weren’t native to the land here, it was kind of shocking to see, ‘Well, how’d they get here?’ ” Walters said. “I’m looking forward to see the final product.”

After the restoration began, Walters said he has noticed a bigger deer population in the area.

In Crystal Lake, Walters said, a lot of people like the outdoors.

“They’re willing to work to make it back to the way it was before we even all got here,” Walters said.