The Wild Midwest LLC

Channel catfish is the most numerous of any catfish species in North America. They are disturbingly called a swimming tongue due to the fact that they have taste receptors all along their entire body. The highest concentration is around their gills and whiskers. This helps them find food in the murky muddy water they inhabit. Channel catfish can come in albino and light colored varieties often found in domestic stock. The fish in the picture is pretty light in color, not surprising since it was from a breeding facility. Adult Channel catfish can be a foot long and between 2 and 4 pounds with the record holding catfish weighing a whopping 58 pounds. They can live to be 15+ years old.

While Channel catfish are native here, they are considered an invasive species in other parts of the world where they have been introduced by humans.

The fish in the picture was a juvenile stocked by Champaign County Forest Preserves at Collins Pond through IDNR stocking program in March of 2021. Every year, CCFPD stocks several of its ponds and lakes with different species for anglers.

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The Wild Midwest LLC

This week’s local gem is Kickapoo State Recreation Area located near Oakwood, Illinois. Kickapoo was purchased in 1939 by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources with the help of many generous contributions from the citizens of Danville, and it covers 1,290 acres. The land was formerly owned by United Electric Coal Co., and it was mined extensively. In fact, Vermillion County is even said to have been the first place to hone modern mechanized coal surface mining techniques still used to this day.  This is why it is now dotted with very deep lakes and large spoil piles. Prior to that, the area has been inhabited since 500 AD by Native Americans of the Woodland and Mississippi cultures. Early European colonizers were attracted to the area in the 1800’s due to the extensive salt deposits along the waterways. Kickapoo was also recently the site of a bitter environmental fight to attempt to hold Dynegy (now Vistra Corp) accountable for cleaning up coal ash pits polluting the soil and the Middle Fork of the Vermillion River.


The Middle Fork of the Vermillion River is the only river in Illinois to hold the honor of being classified a National Wild and Scenic River. Both the Middle Fork and the Salt Fork can be kayaked and tubed. Kickapoo has 22 deep water ponds which are open for fishing and boating, over 8 miles of hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, a concession stand and kayak rental, mountain biking, camping, and hiking. 


Kickapoo is a place of many scales and home to many wild beings. Grand bluffs overlook dramatic views of the sandy banks of the river. The lush woodlands burst with awe inspiring color in the fall. Diminutive woodland ephemerals such as dutchman’s breeches invite one to take a closer look at the forest floor. Little moments of whimsy are dotted around the trails, from tiny doors at the foot of trees to wooden faces peering down at you from above. Kickapoo is a place which merits your full attention while there.

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The Wild Midwest LLC

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

This plant is edible! The bulbs, foliage, and flowers can be used in garnish or added to dishes, such as these deviled duck eggs with quick pickled ephemerals. Spring beauty is a part of the egg recipe and also a garnish.

One of the first flowers to bloom and keeps blooming for a long time, into late April and early May. It is very small, and due to its size, it is the perfect addition to lawns as well as garden beds. It can handle more sun than a lot of other ephemerals, and it is a very hardy little plant overall.
#nativeplantnursery #supportlocalbusiness #conservation #sustainableagriculture #wildlife #plantlover #growyourownfood #ecology #foodforthought #potting #nativeplants #nativespecies #educationalcontent #nativeplantsofnorthamerica

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The Wild Midwest LLC

Ramps get a lot of attention, but they are not the only ephemeral you can eat. Bluebells and spring beauty are very common, and you can eat the flowers, leaves, (and the bulb of spring beauty) and they are quite healthy! Who doesn't love to see the pop of color flowers can bring to a meal?

While it is not an ephemeral, the cutleaf coneflower is also edible. And right now is the best time to pick it since as it matures, the older leaves become tough and not palatable.

I quick pickled these with vinegar, sugar, water, and spices. Some were removed for today's deviled duck eggs, but the rest will marinade and absorb that lovely Pickled flavor complexity.

The deviled duck eggs have horse radish mustard and organic mayo with a locally crafted blend of spices.

As always, please practice sustainable foraging. Never take more than 10 percent of a patch, and please give back to the land. Some ways to do that are to pick up litter and remove invasive species while you are foraging. I like to practice gratitude and say thanks to the plants who give us so much. ❤️

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1 year ago | [YT] | 0

The Wild Midwest LLC

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT:

The Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, is our featured species today! These large birds of prey have been recognized as the national emblem of the United States since 1782. They were almost wiped out twice. The first time was due to the reduction in population of their normal prey species from habitat loss and human hunting. The population of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other prey forced eagles to predate on livestock. This resulted in many of them being shot by farmers. Noting that the species was “threatened with extinction,” Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act in 1940. This prohibited killing, selling, or possessing the species except in some cases where Native American tribes were still allowed to collect feathers for ceremonial purposes.

The second brush with extinction came about due to the use of DDT pesticides. These pesticides were used to reduce mosquito numbers, and they washed into waterways. This contaminated plants and fish, and when eagles consumed the fish, they, too, consumed pesticide. This weakened the shells of their eggs so when the parents went to incubate, the eggs would break far before they were supposed to hatch. They were not the only bird species affected, but they were the poster child for the problem. Only just over 400 nesting pairs remained in the entire country by the 1960's.

In 1962, Rachel Carson published Silent Spring. This book has been credited with bringing about enough awareness to the plight of the eagles to result in Congress banning the pesticide and related pesticides in order to help stop the decline of these birds. This also led to the creation of the Endangered Species Act which allowed for targeted protections and rehabilitation efforts for many species since. Rachel Carson is a true hero of the conservation movement.

Due to the success of captive breeding programs, habitat and nesting site protection, and law enforcement of poaching, the eagles have rebounded to over 71,000 nesting pairs, over 300,000 individual animals. They have rebounded to the point they are no longer listed as an endangered species. It is not uncommon to see an eagle anymore, although it is always special.

The bald eagle is not only our national symbol. They are also a symbol of what we can accomplish when we set our collective minds on saving something that matters. They are a symbol of the power of a very determined and passionate individual can accomplish even against large powerful companies. They are a symbol of hope in truly trying times, a large predator who has managed to succeed in the face of habitat loss, poaching, and a rapidly changing world.

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