The Conservation District removed close to 100 miles of field tile, placed water control structures, and controlled invasive species to restore the 600-acres of wetlands. The Conservation District has also restored over three miles of the former channel of the Nippersink Creek by removing fill and recreating the natural meanders that occurred historically. The field trip will include an indoor slide program and map review to orient participants to the methodologies used and then a three-mile hike along the stream and restored wetlands will allow the participants an opportunity to see and discuss the variety of techniques used. Participants will be provided with handouts to support the main interpretive themes, and a narrative of geologic history to follow along the drive between the hotel and our destinations. The discussion of geology will include both bedrock geology and glacial processes and history.
Geologic history is more than a story of rocks and sediments, it is the primal study of land.
The shape, substance, and spatial arrangement of geologic forms creates the template for ecosystems past and present. Relief and soil parent material influence soil wetness and chemistry. Relief influences the movement of water across and through soil and the movement of wind and fire over soil. Together these influences shape ecosystems and the communities of plants and animals. We have opportunity to observe the beautiful spring flora and bird populations during migration of Matthiessen and Starved Rock State Parks.