Motorists passing by Somme Prairie Nature Preserve in Northbrook on a recent Saturday likely felt a sense of nostalgia. Volunteers wielded handheld scythes, reminiscent of a bygone era. Nearly 30 individuals gathered at the preserve on Dundee Road in the late afternoon of July 18. Their goal: a Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves event focused on cutting back invasive plant species.

The air quality, affected by Canadian wildfires, had improved from hazardous to a moderate level. The air quality index was nearly 60 shortly after 6 p.m., making it manageable for those able to contribute. The specific task for the day involved removing sawtooth sunflower and tall goldenrod, explained Rebeccah Hartz, a restoration volunteer and assistant director of Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves. “These plants,” she noted, “are not woody like buckthorn.” She highlighted the scythe’s effectiveness in cutting close to the ground with precision.

Participants from northern Illinois gathered for a potluck celebration dinner in front of the Northbrook Post Office. The dinner followed the scything event on July 18, 2026, as part of the Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves initiative.

The weeds that tend to invade and dominate are opportunists,” Hartz said. “They begin to choke out diversity, and we aim to restore that diversity.

The group sought to create a habitat conducive to the growth of the eared false foxglove, a rare and endangered prairie plant. Volunteer Ali Fakhari from Highland Park displayed the foxglove, calling it “a really great plant.” Volunteers convened in the post office parking lot at 5 p.m. They worked tirelessly for over two hours in the prairie, stopping for a potluck meal on a nearby grassy area.

Stephen Packard from Northbrook was among the regular restoration volunteers. He has served as the site steward for the nearby Somme Prairie Grove and is a conservationist and author who attends speaking engagements, including a North Barrington event on July 20 at Grigsby Prairie. Previously, volunteers tackled invasive buckthorn, clearing the area for the prairie to flourish again. Packard reflected, “What once was a degraded buckthorn woods is now on its way to becoming a healthy prairie.

While pleased with the progress, Packard expressed a desire for a faster recovery. “I want it to go faster,” he admitted. However, he acknowledged the positive impact of the volunteers’ efforts, saying the preserve’s volunteers are its hope. As he put it, “The forest preserve would agree.”

The traditional scythe is uncommon in modern landscaping. Nonetheless, volunteers like Imogene Asa from Chicago’s Logan Square found it effective. Asa took a moment to pause with the scythe just before sunset. Similarly, volunteer Michael Uhlemann and his brother Will from Glenview commented on their first time using the tool. “It reminds me of the Grim Reaper,” Will said, though quickly turned the focus to nature.

John Jacobs from Evanston shared his appreciation for the scythe. “I love things that are cool and old-fashioned,” he stated. Jacobs acknowledged the scythe as the most effective tool for this type of work.

Mick Dart from Highland Park noted the mental, physical, and emotional benefits of participating: “Just being out here is good for the mind, body, and soul.”

Volunteer Jordan Botezatu of Lincolnshire echoed this sentiment: “That’s why I keep coming — because it’s healing me just as much as I am helping the preserve.”

During the potluck, volunteer David Duncan from Ravenswood focused on tackling sweet clover, an invasive species. “I need a dumpster for it,” he joked, emphasizing the importance of preventing it from going to seed.

As volunteers dined, Christos Economou from Wilmette, a graduate of New Trier Township High School, shared his thoughts. “It’s rare to take part in something positive for the environment and feel optimistic,” he said. “This isn’t about defense, it’s like playing offense. We aim to restore as much as possible,” he added, conveying a sense of hope and purpose.