In The News
Big steps toward helping the forest preserves
WCIC volunteers teamed up with Eagle Scout candidate Kevin DelBene, who created a project that will both curb erosion and make access easier to the forest preserve at the southeast corner of Mannheim and Cermak roads.
On November 17 and 18, about 25 volunteers with both the Scout Troop 73 and the WCIC worked together by cutting and bundling buckthorn, an invasive species, to make anti-erosion terraces known as "fascines" along the slope leading into the forest. The bundles were secured to the embankment with stakes also fashioned out of Buckthorn. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County will finish the last part of the project by bringing in wood chips to backfill the terraces.
Congratulations to Kevin on all his efforts! He has been a Scout in Westchester for 11
years and is currently a senior at Downers Grove South High School. His project in the forest preserve
was his final phase toward earning his Eagle rank. Scout Troop 73 is chartered by Westchester Community Church.
We also want to thank Kevin's parents for a nice pizza lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Mr. and Mrs. DelBene have raised a fine young man in Kevin, who showed leadership and patience bringing
this project to a conclusion. All of us at the WCIC are proud to be associated with the DelBene family.
In addition, Scout Troop 173, led by Westchester resident Bill Tworek, picked up litter on all four corners of Mannheim and Cermak, helping make the main entryway to our community beautiful for the fall season. Troop 173 also helped with the erosion step project.
The WCIC applauds the Scout troops of Westchester and their leaders for all
the service hours they lend to our community through food drives, honoring the
American flag with honorary burning ceremonies, litter patrols, and many more
projects.
