The Bonfires of Winter
Brush clearing is a typical winter activity for prairie restoration groups in the Chicago area. Others have blogged about it. We have come out of our bitterly cold spell of late last week (meaning it has gotten into the teens). Still, yesterday's stiff southwest breeze resulted in a wind chill of -3° F and had the Bluff Spring Fen folks in agreement about one thing. Whatever we did on our work day, it would have to involve a bonfire. We had a good one, too. Between the fire and the exertion, we stayed nice and toasty all day. Plus, we accomplished a lot.
The bonfires of winter exemplify one aspect of prairie restoration that I really like. In our modern world we often go from heated (or air conditioned) car to heated (or air conditioned) office, eat strawberries in January, and generally lack a fullness in awareness of the seasons. Prairie work is a great way to connect with the ebb and flow rhythm of nature through the year.
Labels: Bluff Spring Fen, Prairie Restoration, Seasons
posted by Doug Taron @ 10:32
5 Comments:
If Thoreau were alive today, I think he'd be appalled by how well most people insulate themselves from even the most minor inconvenience of the natural world. While I don't think he'd advocate anything dangerous, I do think he'd encourage everyone to experience the seasons fully.
What thrills ya more - burning things or tiger beetles?
A good days work there Doug. One of those necessary evils. In all my travels around the USA, I will always remember Chicago as the place where I got the coldest. :)
Pablo- I agree. I also cheat in many ways, including flying away to escape from part of winter almost every year.
Spo- I have to pick? Tiger beetles thrill me more than burning brush piles but less than a full-on prairie burn.
Well, there are colder places than Chicago. It gets pretty hot here in the summertime, too.
I like the idea of a bonfire. It looks like fun to me. Its been a long time since I've attended one. How nice to combine work with pleasure!
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