Saturday, September 13, 2008
The Sounds
by Jill Wolf

In the over 60 years (yikes!!!) that I have lived in the Sauganash-Edgebrook communities, I have come to realize that the natural area preserves (which I once took for granted) are an essential part of what makes our community so great. Recently, I walked the bike path from the Caldwell/Devon entrance. I left the busy intersection and WaS immediately enveloped by the woods - cool (lirerilly and figuratively), and quiet. Right there was a bonus in itself, but I kept walking until I approached a very different landscape - the Bunker Hill Prairie-Savannah. Suddenly, the sun seemed to be turned up - shining on a beautiful diversity that included at least a hundred shades of green, and a variety of shapes and textures. The birds even sounded different there. I knew that the show was only at the beginning of what it will be as the growing season progresses, because I remember the way this place looked about 12 years ago. As the result of twenty years ofdedicated work by restoration volunteers, it was amazingly beautiful. The work has resumed and the landscape is responding as if awakening from a bad dream. I know what can be expected and that is why I highly recommend the experience. Visit this place now and through the seasons to discover its lovely promise and, maybe even share it with a child,grandchild, friend, spouse, parent, grandparent or whomever deserves a treat. Some of what you will see blooming right now are Sundrops, Phlox and loads of Penstemon. (Recently, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird was spotted drawing nectar from one of these.) A child's imagination might be caught by the history of the Rattlesnake-Master Plants growing across the landscape. (The pioneers used the plant to ward off the effects of a rattler's strike). Soon the field will explode with color - especially with the pinks of the Blazing Star. Fall will bring the yellow glow of the Goldenrods and the Prairie Savannah trees will show the reds and yellows that were hidden by their green color through the summer. All of this - right here, right now - and, (let us make certain!), for the future.

It is extremely important that we support and protect the valuable work of those who are bringing the Bunker Hill Prairie-Savannah back to its former beauty. We should not listen to those who refuse to recognize the value of this special place. We should no longer tolerate continuing efforts by some to tyrannize our community and bully our political representatives in order to shut down the potential and promise of our native landscapes.