When 35 people first walked into the dense brush copse, some were dubious that this was a do-able task. The work started in the middle so as not to damage the rare ecosystem around the edges.

As the brush comes down, a bonfire is built to dispose of the cuttings. The target is mostly buckthorn, but also some ash, cottonwood and others species. Ash and cottonwood are wonderful trees in the ecosystems adapted to them. But in the savanna, too many of them can blot out everything else.

Bit by bit they disassemble the brush, which had blotted out the habitat for the frogs, grasses, gentians, birds butterflies, oaks and all the natural biodiversity of this place. Cut into eight-foot lengths, all was hauled to the fire; soon the ash will be raw materials for rebirth.

At break time the crew stands in a circle for some stories, laughter, and a battle plan for finishing the morning's work. We also listen to a report from the seed collecting crew, whose wild quinine, Indian plantain and Kalm's brome will be part of the mix planted here.

As the intrepid crew finishes up, open savanna is seen on three sides of the former brush dome. Three small oaks were discovered surviving around the edges. (We were in time, before the invaders shaded them out.) Trees to save were marked with green ribbons. We caged the baby bur oaks to protect these current day rarities from the deer and rabbits until they’re big enough to take care of themselves. Rare plants and some rare animals (well, rare bugs at least) were immediately evident around the edges. Soon, this nature will start filling the regained savanna ground.