Volume II of the history of restoration at Pleasant Valley Conservancy

We've had quite a few favorable comments about the history of Pleasant Valley Conservancy that Kathie and I have been preparing. Volume I has been available for several months. If you missed it, here's a link to the previous blog post which has a download link.


Volume II is now available without charge for download at this link. 

Volume II has more text than Volume I but the file size is smaller  (22.3 MB) because I discovered that photo resolution can be reduced more (than Volume I) without hurting the image too much. (This assumes you are reading the book on a screen. Don't try to print from this PDF!)

The second volume of the history of PVC restoration is organized chronologically from 2001 through 2008. The year 2008 seemed a good year to end, as this was the year we celebrated becoming a dedicated State Natural Area.

Some of the features of the book:

• Hyperlinked table of contents including all #1 heads
• #1 heads bookmarked
• Text completely searchable and accessible by voice readers
• Downloadable to an iPad or other reader and conversion to an iBook
• (These features also available in Volume I.)

Some of the content items:

• Cost analysis of restoration work
• Creating a budget for a contractor
• Bluff (South Slope) prairie burns: procedures and problems
• Oak savanna burns: procedures and problems
• See how our burns get better as the years go by!
• Major (140 acres) Fish & Wildlife Service wetland burn at PVC
• First case of chronic wasting disease
• First breeding bird survey
• Preparation of detailed species list using Excel
• Floristic Quality Index of  PVC
• First PVC website
• Summer interns
• Winter interns
• Field trips
• Natural Areas Association
• North American Prairie Conference
• Landowner group
• Labor Day trip
• McHenry County Conservation District
• University classes
• East Basin restoration (heavy brush clearing project)
• Dedication of PVC as a State Natural Area
• Ceremony, field trips, and party: June 7, 2008
• Seeds and planting 
• Lots more!