LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Updated: May 21, 2012 8:09AM

Help weed the woods

Saturday, May 5, is the 21th annual Garlic Mustard Pull in Perkins Woods. We will be in the woods from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

Garlic mustard is a chief competitor of the native grasses and wildflowers that bloom each spring. This non-native plant will out compete the native plants for space, light, water and nutrients.

Perkins Woods is part of the Cook County Forest Preserves, located in Northwest Evanston between Ewing Avenue, Grant and Colfax streets. We will also clean and pick up trash for our annual cleaning of the woods.

We need your help!

Perkins Woods is an extraordinary piece of land that was preserved many years ago for all of our enjoyment. Visitors to this little forest preserve know that every April and May they can see many spring wild flowers. First pops spring beauty, then both red and white trillium, may apples, wild geranium and more.

The first garlic-mustard pull was organized in 1989. With vigilance and a team of volunteers we have been able to keep the garlic-mustard weed in control. Last spring, we noticed that the jack-in-the-pulpits were growing in mass, a solid sign that our spring wild flowers are thriving.

So pitch in and help keep our woods healthy! It is a great way to help the environment and be a part of your community.

Jancy Jerome,

Volunteer, Steward of Perkins Woods

Evanston

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