Prospect Heights commissioners mobilize volunteers to tackle invasive goldenrod, decline $4,000 drone quote for cattails

The Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission voted to mobilize volunteers for immediate cutting of tall Canada goldenrod and other invasive plants after reporting more than 2,550 volunteer hours and steady turnout for workdays.

At the meeting, commissioners described high attendance at recent service events — including 22 ComEd volunteers who collected about 12 pounds of seed during a recent visit — and agreed to schedule targeted workdays in the next two to three weeks to remove flowering goldenrod before it goes to seed. Dana Sivertsen, who provided the volunteer updates, said the group is "on a roll" with turnout and that the timing gives volunteers enough opportunity to act before seeding begins.

The commission reviewed mechanical and prescribed-burn options for goldenrod control but noted constraints. Agency and contractor representatives have raised insurance and scheduling barriers for prescribed burns, and commissioners emphasized hand-cutting or mowing before seed set as the immediate tactic. A member summarized the plan: divide the site, bring clippers and hedge trimmers, and stack cut material at the edge rather than bagging it to minimize disturbance to restoration plantings.

Members also discussed a vendor quote of $4,000 for a drone herbicide application targeting cattails — roughly double last year's price. Commissioners said the price was "outrageous" as presented and declined to fund the treatment immediately. One member urged negotiating a lower rate or seeking a payment plan; others suggested budgeting for a future year or using interns and volunteers for targeted manual treatment when possible.

Commissioners acknowledged the limits of local resources. They noted reed canary grass regrowth has been driven in part by seed sources on neighboring properties, complicating eradication efforts and pointing to the need for longer-term partnership and planning.

The commission set follow-up steps: schedule and publicize volunteer workdays to cut flowering goldenrod, contact the drone vendor to seek a lower quote or payment plan, and revisit the cattail treatment in the next budget cycle if outside funding or donations can be secured. The group also plans to continue seed-collection days and to use student field visits as opportunities for hands-on removal work.

The commission's next procedural step on this topic is to coordinate dates and tools for volunteer crews; no formal contract or expenditure for drone treatment was authorized at the meeting.