Tools for Restoration

Empowering Volunteers to Safely Clear the Path towards Ecological

HeartLands Conservancy, funded by the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, acquired two cutting-edge brushcutters in January 2023, amplifying our conservation efforts. These exceptional tools, described by Land Conservation Manager Eric Wright as “weedeaters on steroids with an attached saw blade,“ offer unparalleled power in combating invasive vegetation. To ensure the safe and effective use of these brushcutters, HeartLands Conservancy organized a comprehensive two-hour training session for our dedicated volunteers.

During the training, volunteers received hands-on demonstrations and expert guidance, equipping them with the necessary skills to operate the brushcutters with precision and safety. With a focus on preventing injuries and maximizing efficiency, volunteers gained valuable knowledge on navigating diverse vegetation types and terrains. The brushcutters‘ impact was immediate and substantial, with volunteers already reclaiming five acres of roadside prairie at Arlington Wetlands, eradicating one acre of dead-standing phragmites, and eliminating scattered non-native invasive thistle at the Exploration Garden.

With these powerful machines at our disposal, HeartLands Conservancy and our volunteers are poised to restore ecosystems for years to come, securing a brighter future for the natural world.