Fen
The Fen in Trout Valley is common land that is approximately 8 acres in size and is located either side of Trout Valley Road. There is a main entrance to the Fen on Trout Valley Road by the bridge. An informational sign is at the entrance to the Fen.
Over the years the fen had become overgrown with invasive species including significant accumulations of buckthorn, burning bush, honeysuckle and garlic mustard that threatened the native plants including one of the finest stands of skunk cabbage in Northeast Illinois. A number of Trout Valley residents have been working since 2015 to remove these invasive shrubs. This effort has resulted in several benefits including increased densities of understory native plants and shrubs, reduced sheet erosion, increased ground water infiltration and increased native species diversity.
The volunteers, commonly known as the Fensters, have created walking trails throughout the fen with a combined length of nearly ¾ of a mile.
Over the years the fen had become overgrown with invasive species including significant accumulations of buckthorn, burning bush, honeysuckle and garlic mustard that threatened the native plants including one of the finest stands of skunk cabbage in Northeast Illinois. A number of Trout Valley residents have been working since 2015 to remove these invasive shrubs. This effort has resulted in several benefits including increased densities of understory native plants and shrubs, reduced sheet erosion, increased ground water infiltration and increased native species diversity.
The volunteers, commonly known as the Fensters, have created walking trails throughout the fen with a combined length of nearly ¾ of a mile.
What to be on the look for:
- Continued maintenance of the trails that will include repairing of bridges and spreading of wood chips.
- Clean up of down trees, branches etc. including burning the wood on site.
- Continued growth control of both native and invasive plants including wood nettles, watercress, etc.
- Maintenance of the pollinator garden that has been planted with funds provided by ComEd’s Green Region program
Volunteer
The Fensters typically meet on Thursday mornings at 9 am and work for one to two hours on a variety of tasks. Alternative times can be arranged for residents to help work in the Fen and Trout Valley would like the Fenster community of volunteers to grow.
The Fensters typically meet on Thursday mornings at 9 am and work for one to two hours on a variety of tasks. Alternative times can be arranged for residents to help work in the Fen and Trout Valley would like the Fenster community of volunteers to grow.