The goal of this project is to restore open prairie/savanna and woodland community structure to portions of Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve (Work Site).  The work of this project includes all labor, materials and equipment to remove approximately 80% of understory, non-oak trees and shrubs species and selectively thin overstory trees/shrubs of varying sizes across 32 acres of Oak Woodland and Open Savanna/Prairie communities within the Work Site.  Clearing areas are located within/adjacent to high quality natural resources, including rare plants and wildlife, and unique hydrologic conditions.  Special care must be taken to not adversely impact this ecologically sensitive area.  Work shall include mechanical and hand cutting (chain saws, hand saws, tracked skid-loaders etc.), girdling, brush disposal via brush pile burning and/or chipping (with chip removal), selective wick herbicide application to cut stumps and follow-up wick foliar application of resprouts.

The Work shall be performed at the following Work Site:

Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve

15838 W. Illinois Route 173

Wadsworth, Illinois