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News at the District . . .
Brunner Family FP awarded OSLAD grant
The District was awarded a $400,000 development grant for Brunner Family FP improvements! Gov. Pat Quinn announced the award May 11. See planned improvements here. View our press release here.

Campground open
Who's ready to do some camping? Paul Wolff Campground in Elgin opened May 1 for the season, and Big Rock Campground is expected to open in July. Come camping with us! See here for more information on Paul Wolff Campground.

2013-14 Budget
The 2013-14 Budget was approved May 14. It's available here and on our Finance Committee page.

Chronic Wasting Disease Info
Chronic wasting disease is an always-fatal neurological disease found in deer and elk. If left unmanaged, it’s feared the disease could spread throughout the state’s deer population. For more information, see CWD: Surveillance and Management and CWD Management in Illinois: Fact or Fiction. For additional CWD facts and figures, visit IDNR.

Brewster Creek Rental
The Lodge at Brewster Creek is the perfect place for your special event. Click here for details.

Proposed Grunwald Campground
Share your thoughts on proposed improvements to Grunwald Forest Preserve. Join us 6/29 at District HQ from 4-6 p.m. for a Public Information Meeting.

2010 Progress Report
See land acquisition and capital projects made possible by the support of Kane County citizens in our 2010 Progress Report.

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Children
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Adults/Learn from the Experts

white oak Nature Programs for Adults

Senior Strolls

Seniors are invited to join District naturalists each month on a pleasant stroll through natural areas.  Each month, we visit a different forest preserve to learn about the natural and cultural history of the area.  Strolls last about an hour, with social time and refreshments following the walk. In the event of severe weather, call 847-741-8350 for cancelation information.  Wear sturdy shoes and bring insect repellent and sunscreen.  Donations are welcome to cover the cost of refreshments.  Registration is not required for Senior Stroll.
 
Thursday, June 6; 10 a.m. - noon
Bowes Creek Woods Forest Preserve
9N420 Crawford Rd., Elgin
FREE
 
Thursday, July 11; 10 a.m. - noon
Arlene Shoemaker Forest Preserve
1400 Felten Rd., Aurora
FREE
 
Thursday, Aug. 1; 10 a.m. - noon
Campton Forest Preserve
4N379 Town Hall Rd., Saint Charles
FREE
 
Thursday, Sept. 5; 10 a.m. - noon
Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve
39W933 Russell Rd., Elgin
FREE

The Nature Network

This exciting new program series is designed for active adults who are interested in nature and want to meet others who share this interest. Each monthly gathering will feature a nature-themed discussion or activity. All ages of adults are welcome. Registration required.

 

Sunday, June 2, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Nature Walk and Picnic
Campton Forest Preserve
4N379 Town Hall Rd., St. Charles
FREE

 

Saturday, June 22; 9-11 a.m.
Bike the Great Western Trail
Enjoy the summer season with a leisurely bike ride along the Great Western Trail. We will meet at the Creek Bend Nature Center at LeRoy Oakes for a quick safety check. Then we’ll hit the trail and enjoy the natural features along the way. Please provide your own helmet and bicycle. Ride will be around 10 miles. Advance registration is required.
Creek Bend Nature Center
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., Saint Charles
FREE

 

Friday, July 19; 7:30-9 p.m.
Nature’s Myths and Legends
During this evening hike and campfire, participants will listen to stories about the myths and legends that involve our outdoor world. Advance registration is required.
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
(Meet at Shelter #1)
37W700 Dean St., Saint Charles
FREE

 

Saturday, Aug. 24; 9:30-11 a.m.
Creek Ecology
We’ll get our feet wet during this exploration of Ferson Creek. The focus will be on stream habitat and the importance of the watershed. Bring shorts and shoes for wading in the creek. Advance registration is required. Creek Bend Nature Center
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., Saint Charles
FREE

 

Saturday, Sept. 14; 10-11 a.m.
The Tallgrass Prairie
Join us on a fun and informative walk along the trail at Horlock Hill Prairie. We’ll discuss the history of the prairie in our area and learn about prairie restoration throughout Kane County. Meet at the shelter (#2) on the south side of Dean Street. Advance registration is required.
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
Shelter #2 (south of Dean Street)
37W700 Dean St., Saint Charles
FREE

 


The Prairie en Plein Air

The prairie is an ever-changing work of art, with new hues and textures from dawn to dusk. This art session will be “en plein air” (outdoors) at Horlock Hill Prairie as the evening sun sets.  We’ll use pastels and/or charcoals to express our impressions of the prairie.  This program is for “non-majors” - everyone is welcome! Materials will be provided, or you may bring your own.  If the weather is inclement, we will move indoors, at Creek Bend Nature Center. Advance registration is required.
 
Saturday, June 22; 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Horlock Hill Prairie, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W370 Dean Street
St. Charles, IL 61074
Fee: $10

Learn from the Experts
The following classes are taught by experts in the field and offer in-depth information and learning opportunities about our local ecology. This award-winning program series is cosponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, the St. Charles Park District, the Geneva Park District, and the Fox Valley Park District. These programs are for ages 16 and up. Registration is required. Checks for these sessions should be made out to the Geneva Park District. Call (847) 741-8350 or e-mail program@kaneforest.com to register.

Butterflies

Learn identification and ecology of native butterflies. The program will begin with an introduction indoors, and then we will head outdoors to find butterflies in various habitats. In addition to identification, instruction will include habitat requirements, life cycles, conservation and monitoring. Our instructor is Tom Peterson, volunteer coordinator for Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network. Advance registration is required.
 
Saturday, June 29; 9:30 a.m. – noon
Creek Bend Nature Center
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., Saint Charles
Fee: $15

Introduction to Native Plant Gardening

Learn to identify flowers and grasses used in native gardening.  Study characteristics to help recognize different species and discover species that are well-suited to landscaping.  Have a photo of a mystery native from a local preserve?  Bring it with you!  Class will begin indoors and conclude with a walk in the prairie.  Our instructor is Kelly Schultz, nursery coordinator, native seed nursery; Lake County Forest Preserve District. Advance registration is required.
 
Sunday, July 21; 1 – 3 p.m.
Peck Farm Park
(Meet at the Orientation Barn)
38W199 Kaneville Rd., Geneva
Fee: $15/person

The Sound of Night Music

The hills are alive with the sound of music — insect music, that is! After a brief listen-and-learn session to get acquainted with the songs of the major players, we’ll take a walk and take note as katydids and crickets croon their tunes and meet their mates. Our instructors are Nature Programs Managers Pam Otto of the Saint Charles Park District and Valerie Blaine of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. Bring a flashlight.  Long pants and closed-toe shoes are recommended. Advance registration is required.
 
Wednesday, Aug. 21; 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Hickory Knolls Discovery Center
3795 Campton Hills Rd., Saint Charles
Fee: $15/person

Tree Identification

This class will begin indoors with an introduction to basic tree morphology. We will use hand lenses to examine twigs, leaves, and fruit, and then practice using a botanical key indoors. Once familiar with terminology and tools, we will head into the woods to put our new skills in practice. Students will learn several methods of tree identification. Valerie Blaine, nature programs manager of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County will be our instructor. Advance registration is required.
 
Wednesday, June 19; 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., Saint Charles
Fee: $15/person

Voices of the Land

In this presentation, author Joel Greenberg will focus on the fascinating cultural and natural heritage of Illinois.  In researching his 2002 book, A Natural History of the Chicago Region, Greenberg collected accounts from a wide range of sources, many of which he thought would  be of interest to modern readers. He continued collecting, and the results of his efforts is the anthology, Of Prairie, Woods, and Water: Two Centuries of Chicago Nature Writing.  With readings and slides, this presentation tells that story of change through the words of those who were here: visitors, settlers, naturalists, hunters, poets, journalists and others. Advance registration is required.
 
Thursday, July 18; 7-8:30 p.m.
Stephen Persinger Recreation Center
3507 Kaneville Rd., Geneva
Fee: $10/person

Wood Duck Biology and Restoration Management

Among the most beautiful waterfowl in North America are Wood Ducks. Their populations have significantly declined with loss of habitat. This presentation will focus on wood duck identification, distribution of wood duck populations, habitat, diet, nesting/breeding and conservation. Our instructor is Phil Smith, ranger with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.  Advance registration is required.
 
Thursday, Aug. 8, 7-8:30 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., Saint Charles
Fee: $15/person

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