Riverwoods Preservation Council

Speaker Notes

Prescribed Burns
Leslie A. Berns, Land Management Ecologist, Lake County Forest Preserve District
June 1, 2011
Natural grass wildfires rejuvenated prairies and woodlands before settlement, by releasing nutrients back into the soil, controlling invasives, triggering new growth and enhancing biological diversity. Prescribed burns - carefully controlled ground fires - can have significant benefits for Riverwoods properties. Presentation slides.

Bioretention - Benefits for Riverwoods
RPC Presentation to Village Board on
December, 2010
Bioretention includes retention ponds, swales and rain gardens. The purpose is to address all the water that falls on Riverwoods, especially during spring and fall. The RPC intends to explore demonstration projects to determine the suitability of bioretention for Riverwoods.
Presentation slides for the RPC's Bioretention Project

Butterflies Grow on Trees
Dr. Rex Bastian, Ph.D., Vice President, Field Education and Development, Care of Trees
June 10, 2007
How to identify and attract butterflies

The secret to butterfly gardening is to grow plants that feed both butterflies and their larvae.
more about the Butterfly event

Barnswallow: Owls, Hawks, Raptors and More!
Linda Breuer, director of Barnswallow, A Wild Bird Concern
January 27, 2007
Learning about the local owls, hawks and other raptors

People and wildlife are competing for habitat. The challenge is coexistence - to live in nature while minimizing disruption.
more about the Barnswallow event

Houses in Harmony with Nature: Green Architecture
Nathan Kipnis, Nathan Kipnis Architects, Inc. - Evanston, Illinois
September 9, 2006
Building environmentally-sensitive homes

There is a growing preservation movement in Riverwoods to protect this unique area.
more about Green Architecture

Trees As Treasures: Understanding the Riches We Reap from Trees
Edith Makra, Community Trees Advocate, The Morton Arboretum
July 13, 2006
Contributions trees make to our living environment in social, scientific and monetary values

Research shows that shoppers in well-landscaped business districts are willing to pay up to 12% more for goods and services.
more about Trees As Treasures...

The Buck Stops Here
Jennifer Filipiak, Lake County Forest Preserve Wildlife Biologist
March 23, 2006
A discussion of White-Tailed Deer habits and management

Deer prefer new growth. They tend to avoid grasses, thorny plants, and plants with strong odors. When there is a shortage of their preferred food, deer will eat just about any vegetation.
more about the White-Tailed Deer

Tree Myths and Facts
Lesley and Gil Smith, certified arborists, Arborsmith
November 9, 2005
Myths and facts of tree care including tips for protecting trees during construction, how to use mulch, and planting trees in Riverwoods soil.

Myth 1:Tree roots are much deeper than grass roots.
Fact: Tree roots are very shallow, so even shallow trenching can seriously injure or kill a tree. In Riverwoods, with its heavy clay, tree roots are typically only 8 inches to 10 inches deep. Construction, including trenching and use of heavy equipment, is the biggest cause of tree injury in Riverwoods.
more Myths and Facts...

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(Photograph of Rudbeckia by Rich Famularo)