friends of ryerson woods - Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods

30 YEARS OF
FRIENDS OF
RYERSON WOODS
N AT U R E C O N S E R VAT I O N A R T
H OW
Fr iends of Ryerson Woods began
“I bought the land from the grandson-in-law of the
first permanent settler in Lake County…and I would
like it to remain the way it was when the Indians
lived there before he came in 1834.”
It’s really quite a remarkable
Lake County Forest
story:
Preserve District and,
—Edward L. Ryerson
protecting the natural beauty
A group of private property
owners, concerned about
of the land, bands together
to leave an environmentally
significant, intact woodland to
the public.
The history of Friends of
Ryerson Woods stretches back
transferring his land
to the public. Other
landowners followed suit
and, upon the Ryersons’
deaths in 1971, the Lake
County Forest Preserves
began managing the Edward
Cooper's
hawk
L. Ryerson Conservation Area.
An ad hoc Advisory
to 1928, when Edward and
Committee to the Forest
Nora Ryerson first built a
Preserves was formed, with
weekend cabin in the woods—
Nancy Ryerson Ranney as
as did several other families.
chair. She continued her father’s
(For a short history, see page
commitment to preservation.
10.) A decade later, the
Knowing that a committed
Ryersons purchased additional
support group was key, she
land and built Brushwood Farm.
asked two Advisory Board
In the 1950s, as commercial
www.ryersonwoods.org
in 1966, began
members, Barbara Donnelley
development and suburban
and E. Leland Webber, to
growth encroached, Edward
chair a second committee,
Ryerson and other landowners
eventually named the Smith
discussed taking action to
Nature Symposium Committee.
preserve the land. Ryerson
It gave rise to an event honoring
approached the newly-formed
original landowners Hermon
3
Dunlap (“Dutch”) Smith and
Friends of Ryerson Woods.
Ellen Thorne Smith.
Under Maxine Hunter’s
Nancy Ryerson Ranney
It ’s all about t he
chairmanship there are now
explained the origins of the
over 400 members.” (For
Smith Nature Symposium and
more Symposium history, pages
Friends of Ryerson Woods in a
24-25.)
1985 speech to the Lake Forest
BIRDS
like a who’s who of birding
So it was that in 1984, at the
first Smith Nature Symposium,
in Chicago. Both lay and
nature lovers, Symposium
professional ornithologists
death, Adele and Farwell
attendees, family, and friends
were represented, including
(Smith) told us how much their
came together as Friends of
Dr. John Fitzpatrick (then
parents had loved this area
Ryerson Woods.
curator of birds at The Field
Garden Club:
“At the time of Dutch Smith’s
and of how much it had meant
Museum, now director of the
In 1990, the Ryerson
Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
to the family. We asked them
Advisory Committee and the
for approval to establish a
Smith Nature Symposium
and Austin L. “Bud” Wyman
memorial here in the woods
Committee merged with
(a former president of the
and their enthusiastic response
Friends of Ryerson Woods,
resulted in the establishment
bringing three groups of
Red-headed
woodpecker
Chicago Audubon Society).
naturalists, hobbyists, and
Scientists, students,
of the Smith Symposium last
volunteers together under
It’s no secret that many Friends
year…(which) brought us
one umbrella.
of Ryerson Woods members
Friends head to Ryerson
are also birders. The birding
Woods for the bird diversity,
legacy here runs deep. It
especially during migration.
started with Ellen Thorne Smith,
Ryerson Woods is recognized
who authored Chicagoland
as an Illinois Important Bird
Birds: Where and When to
Area—part of the Upper Des
Find Them and had a 30-year
Plaines River Corridor. It’s
the hundreds of
history as a volunteer and
a designation given by the
supporters and
associate ornithologist in the
National Audubon Society to
volunteers who
Bird Division of The Field
those habitats that are vital
Museum.
for birds.
something we have always
Quite a remarkable story,
wanted—an organization named
indeed.
This book celebrates the
first 30 years of Friends of
Ryerson Woods and is, at
heart, a love letter to
have cherished
and protected this
The original members of
beautiful land into
the Smith Nature Symposium
fit into the national and
Committee (see page 24) read
worldwide picture?
the 21st century.
4
January: Raccoon tracks, mouse holes, and wing prints in the
snow
How does Ryerson Woods
E v e r y b r e a t h i s v i s i b l e d u r i n g c l e a r, c r i s p n i g h t s
5
Consider the numbers*:
10,000 bird species worldwide
914 bird species in N. America
440 bird species in Illinois
175 bird species at Ryerson
Woods
*Numbers are recorded species. In Nor th
America, above the Mexican border. In
Illinois, 169 of the 440 nest regularly.
At Ryerson Woods, 75 nest regularly.
Ryerson Woods data is cour tesy of the
Bird Conser vation Network.
few bluebirds at Ryerson
Orange-crowned Warbler
Woods. Word went out and
Ovenbird
bluebird houses went up but,
Palm Warbler
still, no bluebirds. In 1986,
Paul Baker (see page 9)
Pine Warbler
Hooded
warbler
Prairie Warbler
predator-proofed the boxes…
Prothonotary Warbler
and bluebirds came to nest
Tennessee Warbler
that spring. In 2012, 43 baby
bluebirds were fledged at
Ryerson Woods.
Chec klist of
WOOD WARBLERS
Wilson’s Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler
Yellow Warbler
American Redstart
Yellow-breasted Chat
warblers. Why warblers?
Bay-breasted Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
It’s the double attraction of
Black-and-white Warbler
spring migration is typically
river plus forest. Rivers are
Blackburnian Warbler
fast and furious. Triggered by
important for migratory birds,
Blackpoll Warbler
increased sunlight, birds begin
including those warblers that
Black-throated Blue Warbler
to migrate—and they’re in a
prefer brushy areas: they eat
Black-throated Green Warbler
hurry, anxious to get to the
the aquatic insects that hatch
Blue-winged Warbler
best nesting spots first. Imagine
and cling to the shrubs and
Canada Warbler
how the large green patch that
brush along the water.
Cape May Warbler
at The Field Museum. In 1936,
is Ryerson Woods from the air
Some warblers prefer trees,
Cerulean Warbler
she became a volunteer in the
must look to birds desperate for
especially oaks: freshly
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Division of Birds, spending
somewhere to stop, rest, and eat.
budding oak leaves attract
Common Yellowthroat
three to five days a week
the insects that those warblers
Connecticut Warbler
in research and collection
bluebirds draws the first
like to eat. Because there is
Golden-winged Warbler
activities. During the Second
wave of birders. Bluebird
so much habitat diversity—
Hooded Warbler
World War, she was in charge
populations plummeted in
different woodland types,
Kentucky Warbler
of our Bird Division and at
Louisiana Waterthrush
that time had a young
Magnolia Warbler
volunteer assistant, a high
Although there is no typical
bird year at Ryerson Woods,
The March arrival of
the 1960s and 1970s
(non-native starlings and
May is spectacular for
prairie openings, farmland,
bottomlands—there is
From a
MAY/JUNE 1991
Field Museum newsletter
“Ellen Thorne Smith is a legend
sparrows overran the
great warbler
Mourning Warbler
school student named James
nesting cavities that
diversity. Thirty-five
Nashville Warbler
Dewey Watson who went on
warblers have been
Northern Parula
to win the Nobel Prize as the
Northern Waterthrush
co-discoverer of DNA.”
bluebirds need) and by
the mid-1980s there were
6
recorded at Ryerson Woods.
Look up to see Orion on a clear night in the east
Snow muffles the sound, even from the nearby highway
7
TERRY HAIGHT
A tr ue best fr iend:
and a nod t o Y.E.S.
PAUL BAKER (1947-2011)
The format that Terry Haight
How you might have seen
notes in birdsong. Soon
put into place for the very first
young adults they are.
Paul Baker at Ryerson
he was volunteering
Youth Environmental Symposium
That first year, 75 students
Woods over the years:
to transcribe bird
• Treat the students as the
(back in 1996) proved so
attended; at the end of 2012
•Out in the fields,
sonograms at The
successful that it’s still being
our records show that 1,196
peeking into a
Field Museum and
used years later:
high schoolers had gone
bluebird box (with a
to lead birdwalks at
• Set aside a school day in fall.
through the program.
tool made from a snow
• Invite a small group of
When he founded Y.E.S.,
students and one teacher from
Terry was Program Committee
every high school in Lake
Chair on the Friends board;
County (public and private).
prior to that, he’d chaired the
Offer bus transportation.
Smith Nature Symposium
Ryerson Woods.
scraper) to count nests
Baker logged more than
and to evict invaders.
20 years of volunteer service
•At an event, with a camera
around his neck.
•At the center of a group
at Ryerson Woods (the first
to reach that mark). He was
particularly interested in
Committee; and later
of rapt and respectful
bluebirds: working with forest
environmental topic as
(1999) he began a long
birdwatchers, all listening
preserve staff, he installed
a theme.
tenure of distinguished
to his uncannily nuanced
numerous bluebird houses
• Invite an engaging
service as chair of
bird calls.
around the grounds, creating
keynote speaker.
Friends of Ryerson
Paul Stanley Baker first came
an Eastern bluebird monitoring
Woods.
to Ryerson Woods in 1984
program in the process.
• Choose an important
• Develop workshops in
which students break
up into smaller groups.
for the very first Smith Nature
With an engaging
Y.E.S. that he speaks
Symposium, where he heard
combination of knowledge and
of when asked to recall
both Roger Tory Peterson and
humor, Paul was an early board
outdoor stewardship work
a memorable moment. Terry’s
John Fitzpatrick speak (see
member who served for many
(buckthorn removal became
immediate response, “It’s that I
page 26). The experience
years and was at the heart of
wildly popular).
saw a former Y.E.S. participant,
inspired him to study bird calls.
Friends of Ryerson Woods.
who became a teacher, return
He quickly discovered that he
environmental study
one day—she brought her own
possessed the rare ear that
information available.
class back to Ryerson.”
could separate overlapping
• Include an hour of
• Make college advisors/
8
Yet it’s the work with
February: Great horned owls call at night, build nests, and hatch babies
The thaw begins
First migrants, including the first ducks, arrive
In his honor: the
sonogram of the
Eastern bluebird.
9
1979: Development plan improvements begin in and around Brushwood.
1984: The first Smith Nature Symposium is held—and Friends of Ryerson
Woods is founded!
Ryerson Woods: a (ver y) shor t
HIS TORY
1986: Smith Nature Trail opens.
1995: 471 acres of Ryerson Woods is designated as a National Historic
District and the land, cabins, farm building, and the home called
Brushwood are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
20,000 years ago: Area covered by glacier. After about 8,000 B.C.,
North American Indians settle throughout Illinois.
2001: New Master Plan is completed.
1600-1833: Potawatomi tribe uses area as hunting grounds. Des Plaines River
brings explorers/fur traders/missionaries to the Mississippi River Valley.
2006: Construction is completed on new Welcome Center at Ryerson Woods.
2007: Friends of Ryerson Woods establishes licensing agreement with LCFPD
for use and management of Brushwood.
1834: Captain Daniel Wright builds a log cabin, the first house in Lake
County, just west of the Des Plaines River. Wright’s daughter later
marries William Whigham.
2012: 150,000 visitors pass through Ryerson Woods every year.
1850s/1860s: Forest tracts are subdivided into timber lots of 5 to 20 acres.
1923-1927: Families including the Prestons, Millards, Barnes, and Fishers
purchase land; some build cabins.
Here and
1928: Edward and Nora Ryerson visit the Barnes’ family cabin on the river.
That same year, the Ryersons buy land and have a cabin built.
RARE
Spotted
salamander
Ryerson Woods
is home to rare,
threatened, and
endangered species for
1942: The Ryerson summer home is completed (see page 44).
a simple reason: the land is
1958: Edward Ryerson advocates for the establishment of the Lake County
Forest Preserve District (or LCFPD, established 1959).
the woods, the purple fringed
orchid reappeared (thank you,
volunteers, staff, and Friends!).
a safe haven within a safe haven,
as Lake County counts more
threatened and endangered-listed
species than any other county
in Illinois.
1966-1970: Other families (12 in all) donate/sell land and cabins to the LCFPD.
Rare species of plants, reptiles,
1972: After both Edward and Nora Ryerson pass away in 1971, the LCFPD
commences management of 550 acres; 270+ acres are accepted into
the Illinois Nature Preserves system.
amphibians, and birds—including
1973: Master Plan for Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area is published.
in the varied habitats in the
On sunny days, the wind has a warm
was cut down and removed from
bigger picture, these woods are
“It is a deciduous bottomland forest on a fertile soil and is therefore healthy and lusty.
It is the finest of its kind in the Chicago metropolitan area.” —Sauers report, 1966.
“Phoebe” call the chickadees
stories: after acres of buckthorn
intact and functioning. In the
1966: Charles G. “Cap” Sauers, then Superintendent of the Forest
Preserve District of Cook County, recommends the property as forest
preserve. The Ryerson family sells 85 acres to the LCFPD and begins
to donate land eventually totaling 257 acres.
10
species is cause for grave
concern, there have been success
1930s:Other families and Ryerson friends purchase land and build cabins.
1939: The Whigham farm is offered for sale as the last family member dies.
Ryersons purchase the land and begin construction of the farm complex.
woods. Although each listed
Redshouldered
hawk
the red-shouldered hawk—live
blush
Maple syrup begins to flow in the sugar maples
11
“I read it in t he
through
white trillium disappeared as
unusual class, or the newest
deer devoured them.
volunteer. Multiply that by four
RYERSON ALMANAC”
A “read”
plants common and rare, an
became a fully-Friends-funded
to evaluate deer management
absorbed in a year. Now multiply
options, newspaper reports
that by 30 years. You’ve learned
about deer control methods—
a lot through the Ryerson Almanac.
including culling—raised public
responsibility. That’s when a
30 years of
awareness…and public outcry.
(generally) four-part format
Protesters arrived. Suits
the Ryerson
emerged: A lead story.
OH, DEER
Almanac is an
A comprehensive list of
The wint er of 1988-89
education in itself.
were filed. LCFPD personnel
programs. A profile of flora or
Over the years, the look has
As LCFPD personnel worked
seasons and imagine what you’ve
responded with a Deer
Management Plan (the first
fauna. A portrait of a Ryerson
It was the first high-visibility
of its kind in Illinois) and
changed: rustic and natural in
Woods volunteer, staff, Friend, or
issue at Ryerson Woods.
deer-related programming that
the early years, graphic and
forest preserve partner.
elegant in the 2000s. And the
size has waxed and waned:
Sheryl DeVore Bailey’s first-
from 4-page magazine to 8-page
person account of surveying
tabloid to 6-page tri-fold.
birds in summer ’96 comes
What hasn’t changed is the
addressed public concerns.
The numbers tell the story:
Naturally, gems are revealed:
550 acres: Ryerson Woods land
12: Number of deer that amount
of land can support
provided great support and
advocacy; an early Friends’
advisor, John Fitzpatrick (of
32: 1987 deer count
to mind. And Jill Riddell’s
Friends of Ryerson Woods
The Field Museum) was enlisted
52: 1988 deer count
real service of the Almanac:
beautifully-written, 2006
it’s kept hundreds of Friends
story about “The Near-Death
of Ryerson Woods current,
Experience of Frozen Frogs,”
informed, and banded together
with the memorable passage,
in Lake County in the 1980s
to save the deer, it is whether
on the issues, topics, and events
“The line between life and death
for many reasons: more land
to save the forest,” he wrote in
of every season for a remarkable
is never thinner or more fragile
development, less animal
the ’88/’89 Almanac.
30 years.
than it is in a frozen frog.”
habitat, non-existent predators,
Thanks to both (plus designer Lori
high birth rates. Ryerson
by the Lake County Forest
Walsh and illustrator Gretchen
Woods was quickly
Preserve District, the Almanac
Baker) for creating the voice and
overwhelmed. A deer-
managed successfully
was a joint publication between
look of the Almanac.
height browse line
ever since.
At first written and published
LCFPD and Friends of Ryerson
Woods until 1995; in 1996, it
12
to explain the science: “The
Deer populations skyrocketed
In each edition you may learn
appeared in the woods
about topics large and small,
March: Conkaree! Red-wing blackbirds arrive
to testify at a court hearing and
76: 1989 deer count
and spring’s usual carpet of
Bluebirds
and woodcocks return from the south
issue at Ryerson is not whether
Eventually, consensus was
reached…and the deer
herd has been
White trillium nearly disappeared
from overbrowsing by deer.
Silver maples begin to bloom
13
Where nature mee ts
ART
By presenting six nature-themed
Heeyoung approaches
second Reed-Turner Woodland
fauna, as well as its cultural
group show at Brushwood
history (during the WPA, artists
debuted (including Heeyoung’s
hand-painted backgrounds and
work) and Friends of Ryerson
sculpted plants from paraffin).
Woods proudly welcomed her
While most are housed at The
as a teacher of botanical art
Field Museum, Ryerson Woods
classes, a board member, and
became a satellite lending
art exhibitions per year,
botanical art with patience
an Arts Advisory Committee
site for these artistic jewels in
Friends of Ryerson Woods
and respect: she observes
participant.
2007, with 20 boxes available
continually invites the public to
a plant for an entire year
for check-out to parents,
explore nature through the
before undertaking a final
teachers, and nature lovers
eyes of artists.
painting. Research, sketches,
everywhere.
In 2008, a group art show
photography, and color studies
of the Reed-Turner Woodland
are done at every plant stage,
Botanical Artists Circle brought
in order to understand the
the work of Heeyoung Kim
plant fully before representing
to Brushwood. Heeyoung’s
it in watercolor, graphite, or
paintings of native plants caught
pen and ink.
our attention for their incredibly
fine details and full-cycle, budto-flower-to-seed stories. Friends
followed up with an invitation
to hold a solo exhibition of
work. Of Singular Study:
Plant Portraits, which
debuted on March 6, 2011,
Heeyoung says, “I was at
AN ARTIS T’S VOICE
Megan W illiamson
“When I was a teenager,
That command of her subject
Ryerson Woods was a
won accolades at the Royal
sanctuary where I walked and
Horticultural Society
London Botanical Art
drew and spent hours alone
Exhibition in 2012
Living t extbooks:
with nature. Free to roam and
(gold medal). The
HARRIS LOAN BOXES
free from teenage distractions,
I could see my surroundings
RHS has since extended
an exciting invitation
for Heeyoung to
All who visit Brushwood admire
for how beautiful they were.
them: the 900 dioramas now
Ryerson Woods is definitely
the beginning of my painting
create paintings for
collectively called Harris Loan
one of the things I can point
project, and they remembered
consideration in
Exhibit Cases are true Chicago
to from my childhood that
me and invited me to
a project for the
treasures. Funded by a 1911
contributed to my being a
show. I so appreciate
Prince’s School of
endowment from Norman Wait
fine artist. Showing my work
that support from Friends
Traditional Art.
Harris, the glass-enclosed
at Ryerson felt so right, like a
of Ryerson Woods.”
In spring 2013, a
cases chart the city’s flora and
kind of coming home.”
14
Chorus frogs, spring peepers and salamanders migrate to ephemeral ponds
Wo o d c o c k s p e r f o r m t h e i r d a r e d e v i l c o u r t s h i p d i s p l a y d a n c e a t d u s k a n d a t d a w n
15
“I prepare as if for class,” he
says. “First I read, with lots
A walk in t he woods:
of underlinings. Then I sort
RYERSON READS
the underlinings into topics.
“Ryerson Reads recharges the mind.”
–Chicago Tribune, April 24, 2005.
Then comes the hard part:
developing meaningful
Terry Haight, former Friends
because we all love birds.
questions about those topics
of Ryerson Woods chair, tells
That’s really why that terrific
for group discussion.” It
a lovely story about how
program got started.”
works. In 2014 he marks
the Ryerson Reads book club
With the 2013-2014
got its start:
“It was the spring of 2004,
discussion leader. Happy
celebrates its tenth season.
anniversary, Ben Goluboff,
and I was on a bird walk with
and thank you.
a few fellow bird enthusiasts,
all Friends of Ryerson Woods:
Barbara Schmidt, Bobbie
Brown, Tina (Haight), Sophie
10 years as Ryerson Reads’
selections, Ryerson Reads
Asked for a highlight from
Celebrating
10 YEARS
a decade of discussions,
Ben smiles before replying.
“My favorite story is a Nan
Twichell. As often happened
The first book chosen for the
(Buckardt) story. One night
during our walks, the talk
very first meeting of Ryerson
at Brushwood we were deep
turned to what everyone was
Reads was none other than
into discussion, when Nan
reading.” At one point in
Walden, the masterwork of
stepped into the room to say,
the conversation, Barbara
Henry David Thoreau. The
‘The woodcocks are peenting
Schmidt suggested a potential
Ryerson Almanac of Fall/
outside.’ It was the first time
discussion leader with a
Winter 2004/2005 reviewed
I’d ever heard the word
passion for environmental
the evening: “Dr. Benjamin
peenting (the bird’s courtship
literature: an English professor
Goluboff… led the group of
song). So we all stood up,
at Lake Forest College named
25 in a lively discussion about
went out to the parking lot,
Ben Goluboff.
Thoreau, the transcendalist;
and stood there and listened
Thoreau, the writer; even
to the woodcocks’ peenting.
Thoreau, the egotist.”
Then we all filed back in and
“And before you knew it,
Ryerson Reads was born,” Terry
marvels. “What really strikes
That review neatly
me is this: it was a group of
summarizes Ben Goluboff’s
people gathered together
approach to each meeting.
16
April: The first green (wild leek leaves) is seen in the woods
resumed the discussion.”
That could only happen
at Ryerson Woods.
Skunk cabbage is the first flower to bloom
17
WHIC H BOOK DISCUSSIONS HAVE YOU JOINED US F OR?
S EASON SIX 2009–10
The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley
S EA S ON T E N 2013 – 2 014
The Life of the Skies: Birding at the End of Nature by Jonathan Rosen
Air: The Restless Shaper of the World by William Bryant Logan
The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth by E. O. Wilson
Three Famous Short Novels: Spotted Horses, Old Man, The Bear
by William Faulkner
Ecology of a Cracker Childhood by Janisse Ray
The Unsettling of America by Wendell Berry
On Extinction: How We Became Estranged from Nature
by Melanie Challenger
S EASON FIVE 2008–09
Return to Wild America: A Yearlong Search for the Continent’s
Natural Soul by Scott Weidensaul
S P EC I A L F I F TH BOO K!
A BONUS BOOK IN HONOR OF RYERSON READS’ 10TH ANNIVERSARY:
A Naturalist Buys an Old Farm by Edwin Way Teale
American Canopy: Trees, Forests, and the Making of a Nation
by Eric Rutkow
A Country Year: Living the Questions by Sue Hubbell
Flight Maps by Jennifer Price
S EAS ON FOUR 2007–08
S EA S ON N I N E 2 012 –13
Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place
by Terry Tempest Williams
1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus
by Charles Mann
The Founding Fish by John McPhee
Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth by William Bryant Logan
The Practice of the Wild: Essays by Gary Snyder
All the Strange Hours: The Excavation of a Life by Loren Eiseley
John James Audubon: The Making of an American by Richard Rhodes
1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created by Charles Mann
S EAS ON THR EE 2006–07
S EA S ON E I GHT 2 011 – 12
Walking It Off by Doug Peacock
American Chestnut: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree
by Susan Freinkel
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
The Outermost House by Henry Beston
The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring by Richard Preston
The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan
The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed
by John Valliant
S EASON TWO 2005–06
Miracle Under the Oaks: The Revival of Nature in America
by William K. Stevens
The Mountains of California by John Muir
Field Notes by Barry Lopez
S EA S ON S E V E N 2 010 –11
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
Monster of God: The Man-Eating Predator in the Jungles of History
and the Mind by David Quammen
The Land of Little Rain by Mary Austin
S EASON ONE 2004–05
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America
by Timothy Egan
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
Biophilia by Edward O. Wilson
Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
18
Sugar maples bloom
A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
The first warblers
arrive!
Bird migration is in full swing
19
NATURE
is the common language
es el lenguaje en común
Join us for a hike in the
Home at Deerfield by Ivan Albright, 1962.
woods with our community!
Inscribed in pencil lower left: “There are Many trees in the Forest!”
¡Únase a nuestra comunidad
para una caminata en el
Image copyright © The Metropolitan Museum of Ar t. Image source: Ar t Resource, NY
bosque!
Because the future of Ryerson
Woods depends upon the
THE ARTIST
support of the communities
around it, Friends of Ryerson
in the woods
Woods is actively reaching
out to Lake County’s Latino
While known for his dense,
population. In 2007-2008,
dark, and detailed paintings
“New Allies for Nature and
(The Picture of Dorian Gray
Culture”—an innovative
is most famous), artist Ivan
partnership between Friends,
Albright also worked in other
The Field Museum, and Lake
media, including print making.
County Forest Preserves—did
Of his 15 known lithographs,
the groundwork to forge new
just one has Ryerson Woods as
partnerships in our surrounding
its subject. Home at Deerfield
communities.
shows the trillium in bloom in
the woods near the Albright
From those friendships,
innovative new programs
cabin. The original is at New
were born.
York’s Metropolitan Museum
Today, the numbers bear out
the results. Between 2009 and
of Art.
Built by Albright and
2012, an impressive 7,659
his wife, Josephine Medill
people have been reached by
Patterson Reeve, as a family
our traveling bilingual nature
retreat in the 1950s, the
booth. And, in just three years,
cabin is structurally sound and
582 Latino family members have
has been used as a popular
hiked with us in forest preserves
warming spot for Halloween
throughout Lake County.
Hikes through the years.
20
May: The ephemeral parade kicks off in the woods: bloodroot,
spring cress, rue anemones, great white trillium and mayapples
21
Welcomin g
ART + ARTIS TS
invasives—still stand, slowly
Sam, age 12: “I like how Ryerson
decomposing, yet enjoyed daily
Woods is very big and free
by visitors, plus the bluebirds,
to explore. I don’t think I have
tree swallows, and goldfinches
ever explored all there is to
that use them as perches.
see there.”
In a profoundly meaningful
Nature has always inspired art,
2011 installation, artists Sarah
and the inverse is true, too: art
Belknap, Joseph Belknap, and
draws people into nature.
Sara Black constructed Perpetual
Beginning with the very first
Smith Nature Symposium (1984),
Friends of Ryerson Woods has
One of three
Tor Faegre
watchtowers.
Motion of a Still Life, using
demolition remnants from the
Clara, age 10: “My favorite thing
about Ryerson Woods is how
it gives people from different
backgrounds a way to experience
nature as it really is.”
old gardener’s cottage that once
Gertie, age 8: “I like how there
showcased the intersection of
stood near Brushwood. It took a
are different kinds of hikes every
art and nature. At that event,
month for the installation to reach
season, like the Maple Syrup
hand-painted copperplate
its final form; the artists changed
Hike or the Halloween Hike. I
engravings from a rare set of
venue combining art, music,
it with every visit. Rather than
like how when you go there and
the First (Elephant Folio) Edition
and theater. Visual arts of all
having an art “opening,” the
look, there are so many questions
of Audubon’s Birds of America
kinds (photography, furniture,
artists staged a “closing.”
to ask.”
were on display.
fiber and ephemeral arts, film
Early on, long-time Friend
Ned, age 4: “I like the hikes and
fests) shared billing with music
Jossy Nebenzahl helped to
events (jazz, bluegrass, classical)
A FAMILY'S VOICE
coordinate art exhibits, focusing
and theater (think of Red Moon
on work by local artists and from
Georgie Geraghty
Theater’s 2004 lantern parade)
local galleries. Soon, exhibitions
for unforgettable evenings in a
such as Wild Prairies from the
beautiful and intimate setting.
Chicago Academy of Sciences,
Rare is the artist who becomes
were being lent by museums for
part of the woods itself, but such
mounting at Brushwood.
was the case with craftsman
2003 brought an exponential
Tor Faegre. Commissioned by
increase in art programming.
Friends of Ryerson Woods in
Sights and Sounds: A Celebration
2004, Faegre’s three Watchtower
of Art, Music and Nature was
sculptures—free-form architectural
organized as an indoor/outdoor
art built from buckthorn and other
22
Shagbark hickories and walnut trees leaf out
to taste the sap. They have the
forest and deer.”
And Georgie’s? “To me, Ryerson
Georgie Geraghty not only gave
is an escape. I love the fact that
of her time and talents as both
Ryerson is a place where one can
board member and board chair
ramble alone and savor nature at
for more than 10 years, she also
its purest, without pavement, the
gave of her family’s. Her children
drone of a highway, or the din
are active volunteers, planting
of others. It’s real, not simply an
flowers at Brushwood and at
artificial construct with natural
bilingual nature booth events. We
elements…and it will remain
asked them: What’s your favorite
intact season after season, year
thing about Ryerson Woods?
after year. “
Snakes reappear
The woods are noisy with birdsong
23
A committee was formed:
enthusiasts and
Ellen and Dutch Smith,
for whom the Smith
Nature Symposium
is named.
family and friends and
their families to
fellow civic leaders, plus
Ryerson Woods for
ornithologist/birder fans
an unprecedented
of Ellen Thorne Smith’s
series of nature
by an evening
Chicagoland Birds: Where
walks, workshops,
dinner/keynote
When Hermon Dunlap Smith—
and When to Find Them.
and lectures.
presentation,
known to all as “Dutch”—died
E. Leland Webber (Dutch
Spread over four
supported
in May 1983, a group of
Smith’s successor as president
weeks, the Smith
by corporate
family and friends gathered
of the Field Foundation of
Nature Symposium
at Ryerson Woods for a
Illinois) and Barbara Donnelley
coincided with spring bird
year, Marriott Lincolnshire
walk. In the woods where he
(a childhood friend of the
(notably warbler) migration.
Resort and Abbott
and wife Ellen Thorne Smith
Smith’s daughter, Adele) were
A theme was chosen. A
Laboratories).
(who’d died in 1977) and
asked to co-chair the volunteer
“superstar” lecturer was booked
children had spent so many
group, eventually called the
(see page 30). Workshops and
Ryerson Woods has taken an
weekends through the years,
Smith Nature Symposium
bird/wildflower walks (led by
exciting new approach by
the talk turned to a memorial.
Advisory Committee:
LCFPD volunteers/staff) were
integrating the Symposium into
held throughout the grounds,
a comprehensive, yearlong
while afternoon lectures
schedule that explores a
and panel discussions were
central theme (see page
scheduled indoors at the steel
50). Today the Smith Nature
riding arena. Lunch was B.Y.O.,
Symposium is the signature
picnic-style, at the riding arena.
event among numerous
30 years of the
SMITH NATURE SYMPOSIUM
How could the group honor
a couple that had done so
much for the city of Chicago
and for the study of the
natural world? (He had led the
Newberry Library, the Chicago
Historical Society, and the
Adler Planetarium, among
many other civic involvements;
she was a trustee of The Field
Museum, the Hull House
Association, and the Chicago
Zoological Society.)
That day, the seeds of
the Smith Nature
Symposium were planted.
24
Nancy Ryerson Ranney
George A. Ranney, Jr.
Matthew Smith
Kenneth Nebenzahl
Dr. William Beecher
Dr. Melvin Traylor
Maxine Hunter
Dr. Charles Louch
Austin L. Wyman, Jr.
Margot Merrick
Dr. John Fitzpatrick
Over the years, the schedule
The group conceived
of an event that
June: Maple seeds helicopter through the air
Bluebirds
are nesting
workshops and programs
relating nature to art, music,
Symposium ran for a more
books, and film—creating
manageable three weeks. In
year after year of memorable,
1999, the format changed to a
educational experiences at
single weekend, a nod to busy
Ryerson Woods.
In 2001, a different format
Original tickets from the first
Smith Nature Symposium.
Since 2006, Friends of
was tweaked. In 1986, the
family schedules.
would bring nature
sponsorship (that
Turn the page to marvel at
the list of distinguished
emerged: a silent auction
speakers. How many “Smiths”
and reception followed
have you attended?
Baby deer may be seen alone—but mama is nearby
25
30 YEARS OF THE SMITH N ATURE SYMPOSIUM
YEAR
1984 1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
YES, I HEARD
26
THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER
ON THE MEMORABLE TOPIC
Roger Tory Peterson, ornithologist and field guide author
“Shotguns to Binoculars: A History of Birding in the U.S.”
Dr. Joseph Hickey, Univ. of Wisconsin, professor emeritus
“Seabirds of the Pribiloff Islands”
Dr. John Fitzpatrick, Field Museum, curator of birds
“Flying Down to Rio: North American Birds on their Winter Range”
Dr. William Beecher, Chicago Academy of Sciences
“Beyond Life Listing: A Guide to Understanding Local Birds”
Dr. George Archibald, International Crane Foundation
“Whatever Happened to the Cranes of Illinois & Elsewhere?”
Kenneth Nebenzahl, Audubon print collector
“The Life & Works of John James Audubon” (200th birthday)
Dr. Stanley Temple, Univ. of Wisconsin, wildlife ecologist
“How Birds Respond to Habitat Fragmentation”
Dr. William Burger, Field Museum “Flowers: Sex and Seduction in the Life of Plants”
Dr. Tom Cade, Council of Peregrine Release
“Recovery of Peregrine Falcons in North America”
Dr. John Fitzpatrick and Bill Kurtis
The New Explorers, the filming of Islands in the Jungle
Neil Rettig, filmmaker, and Bill Kurtis
A new film, Eagle!
Dr. L. David Mech, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
“Wolves—A Cry in the Wild”
Senator Gaylord Nelson, Wilderness Society counsel
“Wetlands: Their Importance to Us!”
Dr. Richard J. Clark, York College (PA), owl expert/biologist
“The Myth and Mysteries of Owls”
Dr. Merlin Tuttle, Bat Conservation International
“Bats: Gentle Friends, Essential Allies” and other misunderstood animals
Dr. William Cronon, author and environmentalist
“Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West”
John “Jack” R. Horner, Montana State Univ., paleontologist
“The New Age of Dinosaurs” from the consultant on Spielberg’s Jurassic Park
Donald and Lillian Stokes, Stokes Nature Guides authors
“The Amazing World of Birds”
Peter Dunne, Cape May (NJ) Bird Observatory, director
“Unraveling Nature’s Mysteries”
Dr. Peter Raven, Missouri Botanical Garden, director
“A World of Variety”
Dr. John Fitzpatrick, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, director
“Citizen Scientists”
Dr. Lester Fisher, Lincoln Park Zoo, former director
“Endangered Species”
Dr. Terry Root, University of Michigan “Fragile Habitats”
Dr. George Archibald, International Crane Foundation
“Through the Eyes of a Crane”
Dr. Lincoln Brower, monarch expert
“Butterflies: Nature’s Gems”
David Allen Sibley, Sibley guide series, author/illustrator
“Birdwatching in the 21st Century”
Joel Sartore, National Geographic magazine, photographer
“Clicking with Nature”
Sy Montgomery, author
“Search for the Golden Moon Bear”
Joe Duff, ultralight pilot
“Operation Migration: Flying with the Birds”
Karsten Heuer, author
“Connecting Wild Places”
Peter Annin, author
The Great Lakes Water Wars
Will Allen, Growing Power, founder
“Locally Grown”
Will Raap, Gardener’s Supply Company, founder“Greening Business is Good…Not to Mention Profitable and Necessary for Our Survival”
Bill Browning, sustainability expert
“Green Design”
Wes Jackson, the Land Institute, co-founder
“Lessons from the Prairie”
Kenn Kaufman, naturalist and author
“Pieces of the Sky: Spring Migration as Science and Magic”
Spiderwort and bergamot give a blue and purple cast
to the fields
Prairie grasses reach for the sky
27
Lif e at Ryerson Woods:
A tr ue best fr iend:
ADELE SIMMONS
N AN BUC KARDT
Nan Buckardt tells stories about
courtesy of husband Al.) Now
and hepaticas and spring
Ryerson Woods that no one
the Director of Environmental
beauties and jack-in-the-
else can.
Education and Public Affairs for
loved the flowers: mayapples
About the woodland fireflies
pulpits—and trillium time
was such a big time. Mom
loved the birds: kingfishers
Mayapple
blinking like fairies at night.
About sitting down to Christmas
all of Lake County’s preserves,
Nan’s contributions to Friends of
Ryerson Woods’ programs and
and woodpeckers and warblers
Eve dinner, starting to say grace,
events are legend: she’s joined
all over the place. The cabin
when coyotes suddenly began
us at nearly every Smith Nature
had a fireplace on the outside,
howling outside the farmhouse
Symposium since 1985 (often
and one on the inside. There
windows.
with a creature on her arm),
About her son’s birth coinciding
were three big tree trunk logs
taught us all at “Nature Notes”
What was life like at a riverside
for sitting and eating outside…
with the emergence of the 17-year
during Sights & Sounds events,
cabin in the mid-1900s? Adele
and out back there was a
cicadas; back and forth Nan
and been Friends’ educational
Smith Simmons, daughter of
clearer space, so you could
went, checking on the baby inside,
touchstone for years.
Ellen and Dutch Smith, who
sleep in the sun, or climb the
then on the cicadas outside.
On living at Ryerson Woods—
built their cabin in 1935,
willow tree by the cabin.
And about a first parent-
in the gardener’s cottage for 11
shared words as evocative as
We didn’t spend the night,
teacher conference that began
years, in the farmhouse since
any images:
just spent the day. It was a
with an incredulous, “Your
1996—Nan says, “It is a gift.
regular part
daughter says you have sheep
I’ve spent my entire married
at home.”
life here, raised three kids
“Every Sunday, rain or shine,
we’d drive out for a picnic
of childhood,
at the cabin…four kids piled
and it
into the car, plus three or four
taught
(Friends’ inaugural year!), Nan
to the rhythms of nature.
friends. We’d canoe on the
the value of
went from naturalist to site
Fortunate, blessed—those
river or play ‘capture the flag’
nature and of
manager to acting director of
words aren’t good enough.
in the woods in summer…
preserving such
education in just 18 months.
It’s almost an honor.”
snowshoe or track rabbit prints
a wonderful
(In the same time, she also went
through the snow in winter. Dad
green space.”
from Nan Peters to Nan Buckardt,
28
Belted
kingfisher
July: Echinacea, black-eyed Susans, rattlesnake master bloom
Hired by the LCFPD in 1984
here. Now they’re attuned
Nan, the honor is ours.
Thank you.
Each species has its characteristic blink: fireflies signal for a mate
29
The final lecture of the 1984 Symposium was by Dr. William Beecher,
who was instrumental in engaging his good friend Roger Tory Peterson
BARBARA DONNELLEY
for the keynote address. Attendees received a poster of Audubon’s
and t he f irst Smit h N ature Sym posium
Chicago had simply never seen
Friends of Ryerson Woods), plus
anything like it: 4 weekends of
workshops at $2 apiece.
bird lectures, 12 bird-focused
The inaugural event put Ryerson
workshops, 8 guided bird walks,
Woods on the map, and it
and a keynote presentation by
wouldn’t have happened without
the birder-of-all-birders, Roger
Barbara Donnelley.
Tory Peterson.
Bird- and nature-lovers from
She was the founder (with
Leland Webber) of the Smith
all over the city came to Ryerson
Nature Symposium, she was co-
Woods for that first Smith Nature
chairperson (the family requested
Symposium keynote (May 6,
her), and she worked for a year
1984): 350 people jammed the
and a half to organize it. Later,
indoor steel riding arena to hear
she approached the management
the great man speak. George
at Abbott Laboratories about
Ranney, Jr. recalls, “He talked
partnership—and that company
non-stop for an hour and 45
has been a valued sponsor of the
minutes. Then he
said, ‘Let’s have an
Black-necked
crane
No wonder that Barbara
received the Friends of Parks
about 10 people
& Recreation Award from the
left. Then he started
National Association of County
talking again—for
Park and Recreation Officials in
another whole hour.
1985. Thirty years after the first
It set the standard for
Symposium, hundreds of people
The fee was $25 for all
four lectures ($15 for
30
Smith Nature Symposium ever since.
intermission.’ Only
everything to come.”
Fringilla Erythrophthalma Linn. (today’s Eastern towhee).
still gather every May because of
Barbara Donnelley’s dedication
to Ryerson Woods.
Shady and cool in the woods
The preserve
grows quiet, as birds are busy with nesting duties
31
30 years of
AWARDS
with Smith keynote
Friends of Ryerson Woods has
speakers, including
sponsored many fun days and
David Allen Sibley (’03)
evenings over the years. Got a
• Robert Tree Cody’s
performance of Native
One of the highlights of the
2003 – Dr. George Rabb
Smith Nature Symposium each
2004 – John Rogner
year is the presentation of the
2005 – Dr. Debra K. Moskovits
Friends of Ryerson Woods
2006 – Chicago Wilderness
Award, honoring an individual
2007 – Gerald W. Adelmann
or group for “distinguished
2008 – Cameron Davis
leadership in the world of nature.”
2009 – Barbara Whitney Carr
2010 – Stephen Bartram
2011 – William D. Sturm
1984 – Roger Tory Peterson
1985 – Dr. George Archibald
1986 – Walter T. Fisher
2012 – Steven Apfelbaum
2013 – Dr. Douglas F. Stotz
1987 – Nancy Ryerson Ranney
1988 – Dr. John Fitzpatrick
How fun Was t hat?
1989 – Maxine Hunter
REMEMBER…
1990 – E. Leland Webber
1991 – Barbara C. Donnelley
1992 – Susan Spears
• The “bat luncheon,” with
Dr. Merlin Tuttle of Bat
1993 – Abbott Laboratories
Conservation International.
1994 – Roy O. Gromme
All bat-dependent food! (’85)
1995 – Bill Kurtis
1996 – Fran Harty
• Harvest Moon Walks (’88)
1997 – Dr. Melvin Traylor
• Moonlight Skiing (’89)
1998 – Dr. William Beecher
• Firefly Picnic (’90)
1999 – Andrea S. Moore
• Bird Seed Sales (’92-’95)
2000 – Adele Simmons
• Ticket lotteries ($5 each!)
2001 – John McCarter
2002 – George A. Ranney, Sr.
32
for bird walks in the woods
August: Bats are active
G r e e n l o o k s d i f f e r e n t n o w, a s
American flute music (’04)
favorite memory from a Friends
event that you attended? Tell us:
info@ryersonwoods.org.
• Hybrid Car Expo and Meetup in the parking lot (’07)
It’s an
• Outdoor Film Festival! (’11)
HONOR
and Friends-sponsored trips to:
• International Crane
Foundation (’85 and ’06)
• Buena Vista Marsh,
In 1998, Ryerson Woods was
designated one of the Twelve
Natural Wonders of Chicagoland
by Chicago Wilderness!
Wisconsin, to see the
prairie chickens (’86)
• The Ridges Sanctuary,
Wisconsin (’87)
• Jasper-Pulaski Wildlife
Area for the staging of the
sandhill cranes (’89)
• Midewin Tallgrass Prairie
tour with Fran Harty, prior to
public opening (’96)
• Nebraska Birdwatching
Trip with Joel Sartore (’06
and ’07)
• Krusen Grass Farms
organic farm, Elkhorn,
Wisconsin (’09)
leaves receive less light
A hackberry tree that Edward
Ryerson much admired once
stood near the river. It fell in
1995 and, fittingly, is recycling
back into the soil from which
it came.
Birds begin to flock before migration
33
wrote The Des Plaines River 1673Le t ’s go down t o
THE RIVER
1940 about its many names and
TRAILBL AZERS
important roles through history.
of t he Smit h N ature Trail
Many longtime Friends have
happy memories connected to
The Indians, the explorers, the
settlers, the landowners, and the
Ryersons shared this in common:
they all came for the river.
The Des Plaines River originates
in the Wisconsin wetlands. From
there it snakes south on a path
toward the Kankakee, the Illinois,
and the Mississippi rivers.
The river is a dividing line: it
marked the prairie’s edge and
halted prairie fires, allowing the
forest on the eastern side to thrive.
The river is a life line:
migratory birds follow its twists
and turns, fishing and drinking
from it and resting near its banks.
The river has a story line:
two great Indian trails, the Deer
Trail and the Mukwonago Trail,
crossed here, and
the river, especially about ice
skating. Here’s a recollection by
Ned Ryerson (Edward and
Nora’s son) from his undated
memoir There Lives….
“One winter the river froze
quickly and hard before the
snow fell. The ice was dark and
at the thorn tree and stepped
out with ankles that wobbled at
first…Father came out and we
watched him skate, not as we
did rushing back and forth but
in slow circles and figure eights.
and they went off in long gliding
steps each swinging a free leg
and swinging the
other, like young
dancers moving
in an intimacy of
touch…”
along the river,
34
Photo by Edward Ranney
Seeds ripen
Crickets, katydids, and cicadas
The Smith Nature
trails/council ring network in
Trail opened
the woods. Friends raised
in 1986.
Woodcock
In May 1997, the ½-mile,
for the project—including a
wheelchair-accessible Ned
heartfelt donation from the
Ryerson Trail opened. It is
Smith family grandchildren,
dedicated to the Ryerson’s elder
plus funding from the Field
son, who became blind at age
Foundation of Illinois and
62 yet continued an active
Chicago Community Trust.
outdoor life.
Dr. William Beecher focused
The little f orest of
on interpretation (trail signs,
SPRUCE
exhibits, brochures), and on
out and down and then lifting
cabin still stands
the woods.
the exhibit cabins/interpretive
Webber, Vicky Ranney, and
hand to right hand, left to left,
Smith, whose family
history of
Nature Trail, the name given to
the Exhibit Committee of Leland
reached out to each other, right
Hermon Dunlap
the human
the creation of the Smith
Led by chair Thomas Donnelley,
When mother joined him they
paddled its waters.
the river, and
Ryerson Woods projects was
funds from the community
smooth…We put on our skates
great explorers
One of the first Friends of
begin to sing
turning the cabins into exhibit
Amidst the native oaks and
spaces. The Borland cabin—
maples in the woods can be
moved to join the Cramer
found a small grove of less
cabin near the entrance road—
than two dozen spruce trees…
showed seasonal and wildlife
the remnants of a small stand
exhibits, and the Smith cabin
planted for Ryerson family
houses panels about wildlife,
Christmas trees.
Goldenrod turns the prairie to yellow
35
The ear l y years:
TOM DONNELLEY
JERRY SOESBE
The nature of public + pr ivat e
Of the many partnerships
Forest Preserve Board in his
Tom Donnelley took on the
not once, but twice in the
forged by Friends of
23-year career.
tough jobs, especially in
1990s (“Tom was a fabulous
the early years of Friends of
chair,” recalls Terry Haight),
Ryerson Woods.
helping to re-shape the
Ryerson Woods during
Jerry worked closely with
the last 30 years, the
Nancy Ryerson Ranney
relationship with the
on issues large and small,
He headed the Smith Nature
group’s mission after the
Lake County Forest Preserves
from the Illinois Nature
Trail Exhibit Committee in
Ryerson Advisory Committee
has proven to be of utmost
Preserves designation to
1984, raising funds, planning,
and Smith Symposium Nature
significance and value.
getting Brushwood’s chimneys
and managing the consulting
Committee merged with it.
repaired correctly. “She
team while coordinating work
Muses Jerry Soesbe, “Tom
with LCFPD’s history. Both
was one of the finest people
on the trail system, council ring,
and Barbi helped build the
organizations “grew up” on
I’ve ever known,” he recalls
and exhibit cabins (page 35).
Friends of Ryerson Woods
site together, each lending
fondly. Jerry tells many
support when needed, whether
evocative Ryerson Woods
historian Susan Benjamin
have happened without their
financial, volunteer, or advocacy.
stories: of a stroll to the
to document the history of
involvement.”
Today they are autonomous yet
hackberry tree with Edward
Ryerson Woods,
truly supportive partners.
Ryerson…of taking his
then negotiated
Tom’s efforts have
daughter on a bird walk with
the submission
had in common:
Roger Tory Peterson and Dr.
of the report
the ability to
William Beecher…of huddling
that added the
bring the public
may not yet have had the
over strategy in Brushwood
Edward L. Ryerson
world and the
pleasure of meeting Jerry,
committee meetings, then
Conservation Area
private world
longtime Friends will remember
finishing the evening in front
to the National
together to
him as the Lake County Forest
of a just-built fire.
Historic Register of
achieve a goal.
Places in 1995.
Tom has been
Friends’ history is entwined
One reason that it was all
possible: Jerry Soesbe.
While more recent Friends
Preserves’ first executive
He worked with architectural
“The Ryerson years were the
organization. Nothing would
Tom Donnelley at the Ryerson cabin
What all of
director, hired in 1968.
best years of my life,” Jerry
Jerry went on to serve eight
says. “I was there at the birth of
Friends of Ryerson
Friends of
presidents of the Lake County
something significant.”
Woods board chair
Ryerson Woods.
36
September: Flocks of warblers return from the north
He served as
Asters
bloom yellow and purple
invaluable to
Virginia creeper leaves turn red
37
Sap will look
clear, like water.
SWEET!
STEP 7: Remove
How t o t ap a maple tree
spile when trees show buds and/
Found around
BRUSHWOOD FARM
or when sap turns from clear to
cloudy. Insert a twig into the drill
The first “official” maple syrup
are above 30°F by day, but
tapping at Ryerson Woods
below 30°F by night.
was on March 16, 1977. Of
hole as a bandage.
STEP 8: Boil sap at 219°
STEP 3: Using a simple
7/16 ”
for 12 hours.
bit),
course, early settlers had been
hand drill (with a
tapping the trees there for
drill 1-1½” into the tree. You
many decades before that—and
are now tapped into the tree’s
Potawatomi Indians, who taught
xylem and phloem layers,
take 40 gallons of sap to make
the skill to the settlers, for
through which sap flows in
one gallon of syrup. Do not be
centuries longer.
spring. Insert a spile into the
disheartened. You are about
drillhole, tapping in lightly with
to experience one of nature’s
a hammer.
sweetest prizes (33% sugar
Yes, you can tap that mature
sugar maple tree in your yard
using the same low-tech tools
metal bucket from the spile.
Ryerson Woods. Rest assured:
Hang a
tapping will not harm the tree.
over the bucket to prevent tree
maple tree on your property,
or on that of an agreeable
friend. Thirteen kinds of maples
produce good sap for syrup;
at Ryerson Woods, sugar
pancakes. Serve.
First-timers please note: it may
STEP 4: Hang a galvanized
that today’s naturalists use at
STEP 1: Select an appropriate
STEP 9: Cool. Bottle. Make
after boiling).
^ -shaped metal roof
The t hief and t he
from falling into sap.
‘plink’ of sap hitting
drive into Ryerson Woods, cut
the bucket.
down the big walnut tree, sell
STEP 6: Empty
its wood. What he didn’t plan:
mature maples only, please—a
bucket at least
the tree’s weight sank the truck’s
once every 24
38
tires into the rain-softened soil.
hours, more
STEP 2: Wait for February
often during
peak production.
Leaves change as the weather changes
Snakes seek warmth on
(completed in 1942), life always
revolved around the outdoors
at Ryerson Woods. Although
many of the Ryersons’ original
furnishings have found a new
home in the collections of the
Lake County Discovery Museum,
there are still a few reminders of
family and farm life around the
now-public grounds.
• Mounting block
A convenient step up
to a horse or carriage,
the mounting block
came from Edward L.
Ryerson’s father’s home.
The 1977 tree thief’s plan:
the bottom of
maples are tapped. Choose
(usually), when temperatures
or the home at Brushwood
WALNUT TREE
STEP 5: Listen for the first
chest height.
cabin, the 1939 barn complex,
• Water pump
debris and unsuspecting critters
minimum of 10” diameter at
Whether at the original 1928 log
“Brushwood 1942”
• Corn crib
He abandoned his plan. And
• Paddocks
his truck. And his license plates,
• Keystone of the fireplace in
which police used to find him.
the roads
• Front door knocker
the Ryerson cabin “1928”
Prairie grasses turn maroon, purple, tan, velvety brown
39
30 years of
THE CURATOR’S VOICE
What a wonder ful
LEADERSHIP
Franc k Mercur io
S TAFF
FRIENDS OF RYERSON WOODS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, CHAIR
1985–1988
1988–1991
1991–1995
1995–1997
1997–1999
1999–2000
2000–2009
2009–2011
2011–current
Maxine Hunter
Susan Spears
Thomas E. Donnelley
Jamie Godshalk
Thomas E. Donnelley
Allen H. Aardsma
John M. “Terry” Haight III
Georgie Boge Geraghty
Nick Bothfeld
30 YEARS OF FRIENDS OF RYERSON WOODS BOARD MEMBERS
Allen H. Aardsma • Sheryl DeVore Bailey • Paul Baker
Henry W. Barkhausen, Jr. • Bill Barron • Gerry Batsford
Penelope Beattie • Dr. William Beecher • Megan Beidler • Nick Bothfeld
Tim Brown • Lynne Carpenter • Marion Cartwright • Bess Celio
Gillian Darlow • Deborah Donnelley • Thomas E. Donnelley
Richard Ettlinger • Toni Feingold • Iris Finkelman
Georgie Boge Geraghty • Edward Gillette • Chris Gleason
Jamie Godshalk • Carolyn Goetz • Roy O. Gromme • Christine Haight
John M. “Terry” Haight III • Janice S. Hand • Patricia B. Harding
Jean Haskell • Randolph M. Hibben • Mary Hines • Betsy Hough
William R. “Will” Humphrey III • Judy Iacuzzi • Joe Kayne
Valerie Lewis • Julia Magnus • Barbara Mahany • Burt Miller
Mark Moore • Jossy Nebenzahl • Alison P. Ranney
George A. Ranney, Jr. • G. Benjamin Ranney • Bret Rappaport
Corlene Rhoades • Thomas Rodhouse • Barbara Rosborough
Carlotta H. Rotman • Lydia Scott • Erica Simmons • Susan Spears
Ellen Stirling • Judith Stockdale • Susan Stone • Janet Taylor
Mimi Welty Trangsrud • Benjamin N. Tuggle • Austin Wyman
Susan Loving Gravenhorst • Aaron Lawlor • Ann Maine
Martha Marks • Pamela O. Newton • Edna J. Schade
O c t o b e r : Tr e e s a r e f u l l o f c o l o r
Acorns fall, attracting
An all-volunteer organization
and consultant, I admire
for many years, Friends of
the range of visual arts
Ryerson Woods began funding
programming that Sophie
full-time staff positions in
Twichell and her team at
1996. Nancy Faunce was
Brushwood assemble each
the first managing director;
year. Sophie balances
Burt Miller became executive
exhibitions featuring noted
director in 2002 and Sophie
wildlife artists with those
Twichell in 2004.
featuring more cutting-edge
and conceptual artists.
What a talented group of
staff members, past and present:
Recent coups include
Marcela Alva, Christine
exhibitions featuring
Boesch, Deborah Donnelley,
Chicagoans Sara Black
Julia Kemerer, Katherine Lucey,
(2011), Regin Igloria (2012),
Annie Mantynband, Adriana
and Annette Barbier (2013).
McClintock, Morgan Moss,
By presenting these
Kimberly Muller, Seren Orgel,
artists, Sophie exposes
Leili Parts, Katherine Ragnar,
North Shore audiences to
Sharon Schramm, Lu Ann
current trends in contemporary
Stephan. And a freelancer
art, often reflecting
shout out to Sheryl
environmental themes. But
DeVore Bailey,
these art exhibitions also draw
Gretchen Baker,
urban dwellers to Ryerson
Jill Riddell, and
Woods, and introduces
Lori Walsh.
them to all the natural (and
LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT LIAISONS
40
"As an independent curator
Thank you for
restorative) wonders that the
being wonderful
setting provides."
friends.
s q u i r r e l s , d e e r, j a y s , w o o d p e c k e r s , m i c e
Maple leaves fall
41
On preser vation:
S t ewards of
GEORGE A . RANNEY, JR.
ARC HITECTURE
Ryerson Woods is as
ecologically sensitive lands—
In their gift to the Lake County
notable for what is not
and then through the Ryerson
Forest Preserves, Edward L. and
purchased the Whigham land in
here as for what is here.
Conservation Area Master Plan,
Nora Ryerson donated to the
1938, architect Edwin H. Clark
which stressed preservation
public not only high-quality land
began work on the Brushwood
over development.
but also high-quality architecture.
Farm buildings. Beautifully sited
Today the commitment to
Along with much of the land,
and proportioned, the buildings
preservation is carried on by
the elegant home, farmstead,
were so skillfully constructed
pets, and the noise from all
the Friends of Ryerson Woods,
and rustic cabins were listed on
that they are structurally sound
of the above.
and especially by George A.
the National Register of Historic
to this day; the barn roof was
Ranney, Jr., who has served on
Places in 1995.
recently replaced for the first
NOT HERE: bikes in
the woods, snowmobile
lanes, soccer fields,
excessive parking, picnics,
HERE: 550+ intact and
functioning acres of forest, 6+
its board since its inception.
THE CABIN. In 1928, the
THE FARM. After the Ryersons
time in 75 years. Originally a
miles of walking trails, native
Ryersons began construction on
dairy barn, the main structure
plants and animals, birdsong,
a weekend getaway cabin sited
eventually housed the Arabian
people interested in all of these,
at the river. According to Nancy
horses that the Ryersons raised
Ryerson Ranney, it was built by
(he rode a black horse, she rode
“three Norwegian woodsmen
white). Even the upstairs hayloft
from Wisconsin who came and
is lovely: George A. Ranney, Jr.
camped here for the summer
calls it “one of the great ‘rooms’
while they carefully split and
in Lake County.”
and quiet.
Ryerson Woods is a nature
preserve because of the years
of work put in by the founders
of Friends of Ryerson Woods.
Nancy Ryerson Ranney and
the early Advisory Committee
put protections in place,
first through the designation
of the land as an Illinois
Nature Preserves area in
1972—which provided the
strongest state protection for
42
A SCIENTIS T’S VOICE
Dr. John F itzpatr ic k
“Ryerson Woods is a good
example of a forest having
a group of guardians that
laid logs (to fit together with no
truly care about the place.
nails to hold them).” A 1978
The board was made up of
ecologically-minded, interested
people that raised money AND
awareness—and that speaks
well of the place itself.”
Dr. John Fitzpatrick is the director of
Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Insects stop making noise as temperatures fall
Juncos return from
newspaper article mentions
that the logs “had been floated
down the river from Wisconsin.”
Next time you walk down
to the cabin, notice the fine
craftsmanship in construction.
Canada and the north
Groundhogs head underground to hibernate
43
from the great environmental
Lif elong
LEARNIN G
leaders of our time through
the Smith Nature Symposium
(see pages 26-27). Our mission
statement sums it up:
Ryerson Woods became the
education center for all of
LCFPD’s sites in 1971: after
all, a healthy ecosystem is
THE HOME. Modeled after
straight through the house was
a remarkable place to teach
the 1872 Greek Revival-style
across then-open pasture and all
science. The Ryerson Advisory
Anson Rogers home in Marengo,
the way to the river.
Committee raised funds to turn
Illinois, the Ryersons’ 1942 home
In 2007 Friends of Ryerson
Brushwood into an education
was architect Ambrose Cramer’s
Woods licensed Brushwood from
center and funded internships
final work before retirement. It
the Lake County Forest Preserve
and naturalists’ training.
was constructed from venerable,
District for use as its main
quality materials that Nora
offices. Exterior restoration has
Ryerson Fellowship, named
Ryerson herself described
recently been completed.
for the Ryersons’ son, was
in 1971: “Lovely old pink
THE WELCOME CENTER.
In 1986, the first Morton B.
awarded to support biology
bricks were found and trucked
Friends of Ryerson Woods made
research. In 1991, the Nancy
down from Hanover—near
early recommendations for green
Ryerson Ranney Leadership
Galena, where an old woolen
architecture and helped lobby
Grants Program began funding
manufacturing mill was being
for referendum funds for the site’s
fellowship grants.
torn down; window sills and
Welcome Center, which opened
casements were found nearby—
its doors in 2006.
mantels, flooring, stoves were
For a truly detailed account
Through innovative programs
presented against a backdrop
of stately woods where presettlement flora and fauna
still linger, Friends of Ryerson
Woods seeks to build an
environmental ethic in our
region by offering multiple
points of entry for the public
to connect with nature.
Today, Friends of Ryerson
WHY
Ryerson Woods?
Barbara Mahany (board member):
“It’s a gem in the midst of
suburbia! That 500 acres is
such a gift.”
Woods educates by providing
Robert Parker Coffin (95, married
50 to 60 programs annually that
to wife Elizabeth for 69 years):
carted in and the new house
of the architecture at Ryerson
give access to the greats. You
“When I was a child, we’d
miraculously began to seem old
Woods, read the National
can learn from great authors
stand on that wrought iron
and beautiful and belonging.”
Register of Historic Places
(see Ryerson Reads, page 16).
bridge and listen for
Nine exterior doors in the main
Registration Form from 1994,
You can experience the world
whippoorwills in the evenings.
quarters encouraged open
which is on file at the History
through the eyes and instruments
Then, when I got married, I’d
access to nature; with the front
Archives Library at the Lake
of great artists and musicians
take my wife there to listen to
and back doors open, the view
County Discovery Museum.
(see page 22). And you can hear
the whippoorwills, too.”
44
N o v e m b e r : Tr e e s s w a y a n d o a k l e a v e s r u s t l e i n t h e w i n d
Great horned owls call to set up their territories
45
Sylvia Shaw Judson’s
30 years of
HOW
VOLUNTEERS
Bird Gir l go t here
daughter Alice married the
Ryersons’ eldest son Ned. Their
daughter, artist Francie Shaw,
told us, “As a little romantic
addendum to the story, the
Dick Ettlinger is a volunteer’s
on the Y.E.S. committee, Dick of
The 1938 work by sculptor Sylvia
volunteer.
work was done and installed
course agreed.
Shaw Judson was commissioned
in Marion at the time of my
by the Ryersons for their Marion,
parents’ young romance and
He and wife Marjie had an
Volunteers founded Friends of
early, personal connection to
Ryerson Woods and volunteers
Massachusetts, seaside home.
the woods—they were friends
engagement (they were then but
keep it going strong today.
The statue, known as Bird Girl,
16 and 19). In fact, I have the
arrived there in March 1938,
dress that my mother wore the
with Walter Fisher in the years
Are you ready to tend a
before he donated his land to
Brushwood garden, docent at
only to be toppled and damaged
the forest preserve. (Their 1985
night she met my father and it
an art exhibit, put your bilingual
by the September 1938 hurricane
interview with Walter Fisher is in
is exactly the same style (as the
skills to use, or join our board?
that destroyed the house.
the Ryerson Woods archive at the
statue’s), only with long sleeves
Volunteer with Friends: info@
Repaired, she was brought to
Lake County Discovery Museum.)
and red corduroy, not bronze!”
ryersonwoods.org.
Ryerson Woods in 1940.
Like many Friends of Ryerson
While Mrs. Judson used
Originally nestled near the
trunk of the sugar maple, the
Woods, Dick's volunteer
composites of various neighbors
experience began through the
statue was moved
and relatives as models for
and secured a few steps
LCFPD, when he decided to
train as a volunteer naturalist.
A MUSICIAN’S VOICE
Fareed Haque
“They trained us well,” Dick
remembers. “Dr. Dan Snydacker
her work, in this case the main
model was 9-year-old
Lorraine Greenman
“I remember my Ryerson Woods
(Ganz), whose face was
away in recent years as
the tree grew
in around her.
The carefully placed
was the teacher. We’d have day-
concerts fondly...We played
made forever famous by the
long sessions on a single topic—
piles of acorns or
our set to the joyous choruses
1994 cover of Midnight in
insects, animal homes, wildflower
dandelion flowers that
of cicadas chirping along...I
the Garden of Good and Evil.
identification. The training tied
are regularly found
thought they would hush the
First cast in lead (since lost),
into their curriculum.”
in the bowls that
moment we started our ‘infernal
four original bronze casts
Bird Girl holds attest
He then made the leap to the
noise’, but lo! they chirped and
were made: this statue is the
Friends board, serving as board
sang along even louder...music
first of those. Two other
treasurer and secretary. When
friends nature....and cicadas!!
posthumous bronzes
Terry Haight asked him to serve
A magic memory...”
were made by the family.
46
Birdfeeders are active with chickadees, finches,
and woodpeckers
It is rutting season for deer
to the interaction
between
visitors, art,
and nature.
47
Fr iends of Ryerson Woods
THE C ABINS:
♥
Where are t hey now?
TREES
“In the (master) plan, the Forest is given top priority: it is the
permanent factor which will persist for centuries.”
–- Nancy Ryerson Ranney, May 17, 1974
Even before Friends of Ryerson
The Borland cabin, circa
Woods was an official group,
1935, was disassembled at
its founders were working to
its river location, moved, and
Know the soil and hydrology
hickories, basswood, and
preserve the original cabins.
reassembled (“sort of like
of the land and you’ll know
a sprinkling of black cherries.
Five cabins still stand (nine
Lincoln logs,” a board member
the trees that grow there. The
Near Brushwood, sugar maples
were on the grounds when the
wrote) to become part of the
roughly 30 soil types at Ryerson
have grown to the top of the
land was transferred to the
Smith Nature Trail.
Woods support three major
canopy (a rare sight
Forest Preserve).
kinds of forests.
Walk the trail down to the
river and you arrive at the
floodplain forest. The land is
in Illinois). In 1996,
The Ryerson cabin, built in
a black walnut was
1928, still stands at its original
declared a Chicagoland
Treemendous Tree—still
riverside location.
The Ivan Albright cabin, circa
1950, stands in its original
location just beyond the field.
The Barnes cabin, the first
The Smith cabin, built in
built along the river, once stood
low, so it floods every year—
standing, it then measured
1935, now houses the Smith
between the Ryerson and Smith
therefore, trees that don’t mind
10 feet in circumference, with
Nature Trail exhibition at its
cabins. It was removed, as
water on their roots (“wet
a crown spread of 90 feet.
original site.
were the Preston, Dangler and
feet”) live there, like silver
In two locations are northern
maples and cottonwoods.
flatwoods, an imperiled habitat
was built for the architect of
Where it’s less wet, black
of marshes and meadows.
Brushwood in 1941, then
walnuts and hackberries
There, white, red, and swamp
moved by the Ryersons
thrive—sometimes reaching
white oaks are rooted in the
to its current location
champion size.
dense, poorly-drained clay
in the 1950s. The Lake
soil. Water pools in spring,
County Forest Preserves
forest best (mesic = moderately
creating the breeding grounds
used it as a classroom
wet): it’s the better-drained land
for blue-spotted salamanders
for years before it
at the center of the circular
and spring peepers (and,
became part of the
drive, full of sugar maples,
in past times, spotted
Smith Nature Trail
white and red oaks, white ash,
salamanders and wood frogs).
in 1986.
You may know the mesic
48
December: All is quiet
Coyotes can be seen during the day
The Ambrose Cramer cabin
Baldwin cabins.
Borland cabin being reassembled
Look for surprises: a stash of nuts, tracks in the snow, deer in plain view
49
WORLD-CL ASS
A message from
& onl y at Ryerson Woods
SOPHIE T WIC HELL
It isn’t that we’re good
“Of all the things father accomplished in his lifetime for
an intimate setting.” That’s the
“World-class programming in
for Ryerson Woods. It’s that
Chicago…I think the most lasting memorial to him will
hallmark of Friends of Ryerson
Ryerson Woods is good for us.
be the preservation of this woods and river setting for
Woods. Under executive
Make the first turn into the
director Sophie Twichell’s
woods toward Brushwood
direction, a year’s worth of
and you know what I mean:
programming is set to one
bluebird, bat, hackberry, owl,
unifying, nature-related theme,
mayapple, firefly, trillium,
which is then explored through
warbler, oak.
art, music, lectures, workshops,
present and future generations!”
—N ancy R yerson R anney ,
Understanding both the
films, and the Smith Nature
spirit and the exquisite
Symposium. Think about the
vulnerability of this beautiful
knowledge you’ve gained from:
land, the Ryersons and other
families took the extraordinary
2006: Year of the Crane
2007: The Year of Green Living
2008: Year of Exploring the
Great Lakes
2009: Year of Locally Grown
2010: The Business of
Being Green
2011: Green Design
2012: Lessons from the Prairie
2013: Year of the Skies
50
speech to the
L ake F orest G arden C lub , M ay 9, 1985
step of protecting it so that we
can share in it today. Consider
the vision and generosity of
that act. Consider, too, all the
friends of Ryerson Woods—
past, present, future—who
have and will honor the spirit
of this place.
We hope you hear their
voices within these pages.
Join us as we look forward.
www.ryersonwoods.org
You KN OW Ryerson Woods.
You LOVE Ryerson Woods.
Still, you’ve wondered:
WHY warblers?
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.
WHO the original cabins belonged to?
. . . . . . . 5
p. 49
HOW do you get syrup out
of a maple tree? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 38
WHAT is the bonus book for the
10th anniversary Ryerson Reads?
. . . . . . . . . . . . .p.
18
HOW the Smith Nature Symposium
got started?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 24
Browse: ryersonwoods.org
Write: info@ryersonwoods.org
Tweet: twitter.com/RyersonWoods
Follow: facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Ryerson-Woods
Writing: Karen Zaworski
Illustrations: Barb Rohm Rossa
Design: Amy Cordell