Slag Party & Orchid Hunt at Big Marsh (August 31st, 2019)

Hey planty nerds who've made a lotta obs within 10 km of Big Marsh (and a few others thrown in for good measure):
@partspermillion @jackassgardener @jmb62 @elfaulkner @marshmaiden @missgreen, @chloe53 @guessingatgreen @illbflower @sanguinaria33 @lesliejeanie @skrentnyjeff @ewarden @johnhboldt @smoreno2 @oldboy1990 @palmera01 @hikebikerun13 @andrewstpaul @rubzzz @matt167 @cardnoclare @yes123 @brendanrattin @psweet @ashleywold @aseeger @prairiehobbit @sjoyce @rheinrichs @taco2000 @kkucera @eriko @kennedy9094 @rgraveolens @paulroots @spaz4 @susankirt @staceyrecht @gloriao147 @ryangraduate @ekrimmel @evan8 @garyowendick

The Northeast Chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society, with Lauren Umek from the Chicago Park District Natural Areas, are hosting a

Slag Party & Orchid Hunt

at Big Marsh Park (11559 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL)
on Saturday, August 31st at 11 AM

Slag is an industrial byproduct that is common throughout Chicago’s southeast side, where the steel industry once thrived. While high in heavy metals, slag also has some remarkable similarities to dolomite prairies in terms of physical structure, organic matter, water permeability, and pH. As a result, some of these sites have become home to unique and relatively rare species including the sedges Carex viridula and Carex aurea, an orchid Spiranthes cernua, and Agalinis tenuifolia mixed in with a matrix of invasives and bare ground.

Learn about this unique landscape and help document the biodiversity that call slag fields home. Come for the slag botanizing, stay for the (veg-friendly) snacks and discussion.

RSVP at http://bit.ly/slagparty

Posted on July 30, 2019 05:20 PM by bouteloua bouteloua

Comments

I am beyond bummed that I will miss this. Long live the slag plants! You will find so many Spiranthes out there.

Posted by partspermillion over 4 years ago

Agghghahdk, I'm working all day that day. Oh well, I'll have to do some sloppy seconds observations after y'all. Either way, I'm super pumped that this trip is a thing.

Posted by ewarden over 4 years ago

I might be in. I have it in my calendar.

Posted by andrewstpaul over 4 years ago

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