![]() ![]() Jerome McDonnell covers the environment and climate for WBEZ. Let’s take this opportunity to tap into the wonders unfolding around us, and stay sane and safe. One thing to look out for, in Spain and Italy they banned recreational biking, not because of worries about the virus, but about concerns that injured cyclists would use much-needed hospital beds and medical personnel. But even the governor’s “stay at home” order recognizes the value of getting out. Obviously we’re in a fast-changing situation with authorities closing outdoor spots where people congregate. ![]() Regular plant hunts could go a long way to keeping us sane this spring. I could see marsh marigolds and Virginia bluebells peeking out at Trout Park. Skunk cabbage is just the beginning of spring’s flowering plant show, but that means spring is here. The Chicago Nature Now website tracks flowering plants and says skunk cabbage is also flowering at Pilcher Park in Joliet. There wasn’t as much skunk cabbage here as in Trout Park, but there were some large patches.The strange rolling terrain loaded with native plants must be wonderful in the summer. Most of what you want to see is a half mile from the entrance. To get there you have to enter the Bluff Creek Cemetery (creepy and old) and drive to the back where there’s a few parking spots.Ī huge industrial park sits on the other side of Bluff Spring Fen and sandwiched in between is this pretty little spot with lots of rare natives like skunk cabbage. Bluff Spring Fen is maybe even more unusual than Trout Park (no dogs again). We got back in the car and drove to Bluff Spring Fen to double down on the Skunk Cabbage Hunt. The successful hunt really took our minds off our troubles and let us tap into wonders around us. It was deeply satisfying to see this rare local wonder. There was plenty of skunk cabbage at Trout Park Nature preserve. ![]() The orb in the center, the spadix, looks oddly like a yellow coronavirus, but let’s not get into that. It may be the leaves that come later that are smelly. It’s thought to smell and be red, like dead meat, to attract the carrion flies and gnats that are around this early to pollinate it, but I couldn’t smell anything. Skunk cabbage’s flower is a red bulb that forces itself out of the ground and even generates heat to push away snow, making it one of the world’s few thermogenic (heat-making) plants. Skunk Cabbage is hard at work attracting pollinators early in spring. It was a satisfying walk and not really crowded on the trails. It’s possible it wasn’t just COVID-19 drawing the crowds this nature preserve just went through a huge renovation and it looks great even while still a little under construction. I was out at Buffalo Grove Nature Preserve recently and the parking lot was the most packed I have ever seen it. County forest preserves basically have only trails open. Officials are clearly worried about people congregating at big parks and playgrounds. The state parks are closed so are many city parks. They also have a get outside map for brainstorming some new venues. Openlands has some great tips and suggestions (bring your own water and snack, pee first, bring hand sanitizer) on its website. It’s getting a little tricky to navigate, but most forest preserves are still open. The older set might want to try a plant hunt, a tree hunt or how about a geologic quest like a waterfall? Do you have binoculars? Go to the next level and look for birds. In the best of times this would be, “Let’s ride bikes to get a slice of apple pie.” But with eating out off the table (unless you picnic!), why not make the focal point nature? Go to a forest for a bug hunt, or for a “biggest stick to hit your brother with” hunt. Here’s a trick I used that might work for kids and adults alike: give your outings a focal point. But there’s an opportunity here to be a little creative and get a little more out of your time outside. It might be safest to keep outings to the people you live with. Obviously, it’s worth the effort to stay safe and keep sane. A grandpa type was saying, “Don’t worry, dogs can’t get it.” They were trying to practice social distancing, but the gravity of their wide circle began to collapse with the dogs and then the kids falling into the center. While on a bike ride, I saw a crowd of dog walkers, kids and parents who bumped into each other on a walk. A ride or walk with no playgrounds or sports is a hard sell to a 7-year-old. If it’s tricky for those with group running experience to practice social distancing, for children it’s a huge challenge. The new rule in running: You can run, but you can’t run close together. ![]()
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