The vast tree clearing alongside Randall Road near Tyler Creek in Elgin isn't a sign that Mr. T has come to town or the emerald ash borer has struck.
Rather, it's part of an enhancement of 20 acres of wetlands that will result in a better environment and also could deter outdoor parties and illegal ATV riding.
The $210,000 project at Tyler Creek, just north of the Harvest Bible Chapel and west of the railroad overpass, began this year with the clearing of numerous trees and shrubs.
The trees, such as buckthorn and box elders, were not native to the area. They choked out smaller plants and absorbed too much of the area's moisture, said Dave Ullberg, the Kane County Forest Preserve District's director of natural resources.
Volo-based Bey and Associates from now until June will seed, weed and plant new wildflowers and some grasses as part of a restoration effort.
"It was a logging operation in some ways. There's more cleared than meets the eye," said Vince Mosca, Bey and Associates vice president and senior ecologist. "It's hard to have a bonfire and beer party and ATVs if somebody can see you."
The project came about when Town and Country Homes erected the Providence subdivision on the city's far west side.
The development affected some wetlands, so the builder was required to re-create some wetlands in Providence and contribute $210,000 to the Army Corps of Engineers for future projects.
The corps gave money to the Fox Valley Land Foundation, which worked with the forest preserve and the city of Elgin.
"It's private money helping to restore public land," said Mosca, noting cows used to graze that area in the 1970s. "There's no tax dollars per se involved in this work."
The city owns the land and is expected to turn it over to the forest preserve district once the project is done.
Until then, ecologists are eager to see the area become awash in yellow, blue and purple flowers previously choked out by larger trees.
"The wetland has a lot of color and character on its own," Ullberg said, noting the land will be more conducive to frogs, toads, salamanders and songbirds.
Jennifer Hammer, land conservation and restoration specialist at the Conservation Foundation, which merged with the Fox Valley Land Foundation last year, said the enhanced wetlands will increase biodiversity at the site and reduce erosion at the creek, which feeds into the Fox River.
"It's pretty stark out there right now, but within the next year, year and a half, it will look really great," Hammer said.
Hammer agreed with Mosca that a more open area could make the area easier for authorities monitor.
"Once you start opening it up, you lessen the potential for (ATV riding and other activities)," she said.The Daily Herald
