Native plants found on the site of Oakton Community College are believed to have originated 10,000 to 15,000 years ago, when mile-deep ice covered much of the Midwest, including northeastern Illinois. Over the centuries, the ice cap diminished, plant and animal communities evolved, and Native Americans occupied the lands. Once European populations arrived, and agriculture and commerce were developed, most of the region’s natural lands were altered or destroyed.

A few remnants of the area’s original plant and animal life have survived, however, and efforts have been made to save, restore, and manage these areas to a self-sustaining state. Oakton is the caretaker to some 50 acres of these recovered lands, comprised of woodlands, prairie, wetlands, savanna, ponds, and a stretch of the Des Plaines River.

Since 1992, Oakton has deliberately worked to heal the land through various plantings on campus. A selection of original plants somehow managed to survive centuries of degradation. Other species were reintroduced to the landscape after vanishing. Still others returned on their own, following the removal of non-native, mostly European plants. In addition, seed gardens have been planted throughout campus to produce plants and seed for projects such as education, erosion control along the river and lake, returning lawn areas to native plant cover, and donations to local preserves and schools.

A series of pictures have been developed of the flowers of the native plants on Oakton’s campus. The pictures are divided into six categories: flowers, grasses, sedges, vines, shrubs, and trees. The technique used to create these images – called photograms – involves laying a leaf or other piece of foliage on white photographic paper in a darkroom and exposing it to light. The resulting image resembles a photographic negative, as the light cannot penetrate portions of the paper covered by a leaf or flower. Some objects are more translucent than others, allowing just enough light through to create various shadings and detail. An attempt has been made to capture the basic characteristics of each plant species in unadulterated tones of black, white, and grey.

This project serves not only as an educational tool and a record of the plant diversity on campus, but also as an artistic statement reflecting the beauty of the natural world.

Photogram Images: Ken Schaefer, naturalist and groundskeeper, Oakton Community College
Web Design: Jason Page