Degradation and Redemption at Langham Island

This precious nature preserve is not “out of the woods” yet. But the successes are worth a bit of jubilance.

Volunteer leader Trevor Edmonson among the resurrected mallows. They were extinct, except for some dormant seeds, waiting for brush control, and a hot burn. 

As a unique nature preserve, this one, to paraphrase George Orwell, is "more unique than others." Its showiest and rarest plant has never been found growing naturally anywhere else on the planet. A host of other rarities were found here in the 1800s, and many are still here. Or were until recently. 

One of the earliest and most important Illinois Nature Preserves, Langham Island got needed burns and invasives control for years. But then the good care stopped. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) both lost staff and funding. When the island failed to receive needed controlled burns, it gradually grew so dense with brush that the rare plants died in the dark. 

In fall 2014, an Illinois Native Plant Society field trip discovered the grim fate of the rare plants and ecosystem. A Friends of Langham Island formed, and scores of volunteers began weekend volunteer work sessions - making great progress. Impressive news coverage and and popular support paved the way for INPC staffer Kim Roman and IDNR staffer Dan Kirk to find resources and resume burns.

Where we had cut and burned, about 500 mallow plants matured and bloomed. Those numbers have been “holding steady” for the last few years, according to Trevor.

Step one was the victory over gross brush. But what about all the little brush seedlings and re-sprouts? Last year, some generous folks, inspired by the progress on the big stuff, donated $50,000 for detailed contract restoration. These funds are being administered by Friends of the Kankakee to assure focus on the more technically challenging (and tedious) needs, such as sorting out the good seedlings from the invasives. Langham Island is increasingly becoming a model of the dedication and partnership needed for the care that Illinois Nature Preserves deserve.

Here Trevor spreads the word to Field Museum videographers Robb Telfer and Emily Graslie. 

But there’s still a long way to go. And there are hurdles to overcome. We ferry volunteers to and from the island in a rowboat. It’s fun and easy, if the weather cooperates. But if the river is in flood, it can be too dangerous. If the river consists of floating ice-flows, it’s impossible. 

Trevor’s goals for this autumn: 

• cut small brush off the steep bank on the southwest side of the island (where many of the rare plants live).
• cut more large brush from former mallow areas and do more of the “rolling bonfires” that inspired the germination of the mallows and other fire-dependent plants.
• rely on the contractors to focus on the more-demanding control of small brush. 

And how about you? Some of us find it fun and inspiring to contribute to this historic recovery. 

In her fun video on the project, Emily admits to feeling a bit emotional about the recovery drama and its implications. 

If you might want to come and help, check the Langham Facebook page for last minute details. Spread the word. 

We work from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (bring lunch or a snack, if you can stay that long). 

The dates are: 

Saturday, October 19, 

Saturday, November 9, and 

Sunday, December 15. 

If you’d like to know more about Langham Island, check out this first post on its re-discovery by the conservation community and a second post about about progress through 2014.

This fall, be a Redeemer of Langham Island – or some other nature preserve. These surpassingly-important biodiversity remnants need our help. 

If you wear waterproof boots, you can help less-prepared people get in and out of our little rowboat ferry without getting their feet wet.

If you want a real challenge, help us with our rolling bonfires - which were crucial to the resurrection of the mallows.

We roll these fires with the wind, to replicate the out-of-control, hotter fires that some plants need. 

But the main need on these workdays is hearts and hands to cut the brush and throw it on the burning pile.

For a wacky and fun report on this drama, check out the the Field Museum video - from which the above photos came (except the rolling bonfire photo - both Trevor and I are in it - who took that one?).