Planting seeds for future growth benefits not only local ecosystems, but young minds as well.
Case in point: On Oct. 7, students from Roosevelt Middle School traveled to Melrose Park to collect native plant seeds from a small prairie near the Silver Creek Family area alongside the Des Plaines River.
The task was as challenging as it was simple for the students in Cory Kadlec’s science class. They had to use high knee walks through the tall prairie, looking for pale Indian plantain, a North American wildflower, genus name Arnoglossum atripliciofolium, which grow up to 10 feet tall.
That’s a mouthful, but the youngsters had to gather seeds so they can be spread in early November in Thatcher Woods near the pavilion at 8030 Chicago Ave. that was formerly covered with Eurasian grass, a non-native plant.
Naturalist Maria Vujic from Trailside Museum of Natural History in River Forest met with the students and educated them about the plant’s unique “fluffy” areas. This means the seeds are ripe and ready to be picked and ultimately spread.
Interesting fact: While the plants are tall, they stretch even deeper in the ground. The roots comprise 80% of the plants biomass and are perfect for absorbing water in the flood plains near the Des Plaines River and creating rich soil.
There’s plenty of history in this area, and not exactly the best kind.
Vujic and Joe Wagner, Trailside Museum naturalist assistant, showed the students maps of the area from 1839 showing how the region used to be full of tall grass, but due to farming and development, only remnants remain. According to Vujic, about 60% of Illinois was part of a prairie ecosystem … but these days only 0.01% is.
Vujic and Kadlec, a seventh-grade science teacher who has taught in River Forest School District 90 for over 30 years, began working together on the prairie regeneration project three years ago.
Starting in fall 2023, students first visited the prairie to collect seeds and then spread them in the open area in Thatcher Woods, focusing on a one-acre plot in the center. In just three years, Vujic said, the regenerated acre is already thriving with many native plants growing.
“Thanks to our partnership with Forest Preserve naturalists and local volunteers, students are able to have a positive impact on a valuable and rare local prairie ecosystem,” Kadlec said “We are proud to increase biodiversity locally. The tangible and visible results are encouraging and will hopefully inspire future actions.”
Vujic is pleased as well.
“This unique project is the only no-mow area in the Cook County Forest Preserves managed with locally collected seeds gathered by a vibrant community of students and volunteers,” she said. “Through this hands-on work, students develop a sense of ownership, belonging, responsibility and stewardship of the land in their own community.”