The Citizen Newsletter: Fall 2014

Transcription

INSIDE THIS EDITION
Forest Preserve News...............1–6, 14, 16
Volume 32, Number 4
Will County Almanac................................7
Calendar of Events............................... 8–9
Event Locations.........................................9
Event Descriptions...........................10–13
Volunteer Information........................... 15
Forest Preserve District of Will County
Fall 2014
Forest Preserve
District Opens
Fifth Dog Park
More than 500 people helped the Forest
Preserve District of Will County celebrate the
“dog days” of summer on July 19 as the Rock Run
Dog Park opened its gates to the public for the
first time.
All breeds of dogs – large and small – ran,
frolicked, drooled and sniffed as they explored
the District’s new off-leash dog park at the
intersection of McClintock Road and Route 6,
about 1.5 miles east of Interstate 55.
The 7.5-acre dog park is the District’s fifth and
the first one to be located in the city of Joliet.
During Saturday’s ribbon cutting ceremony,
Don Gould, president of the District’s Board of
Commissioners, said the new dog park will be
convenient for the residents of Channahon, Joliet
and Rockdale, but all area residents are welcome
to play with their pooches in the park.
“This will benefit the people of Will County for
many future generations,” he added.
Other elected officials and dignitaries who
attended the ribbon cutting were: Forest Preserve
Board Commissioners Denise Winfrey, Herbert
Brooks, Jr. and Ragan Freitag; Channahon Mayor
Joe Cook; Troy Township Supervisor Joe Baltz;
Joliet City Councilman John Gerl; Channahon
Trustee Missey Schumacher; and dog park
contractor John Simpson of Channahon-based
Burla Construction.
The event drew people from all over Will County
and beyond, but those who came short distances
were thrilled to have a new dog park right down
the street.
JoAnn Weaver said Rock Run Dog Park is only
five minutes from her Rockdale home. She had
been driving her dogs Jeffro, a terrier mix, and
Lexi, a “big” Chihuahua, to the Messenger Marsh
Dog Park in Homer Glen.
“That was a solid half hour (drive),” she said.
“With this one five minutes away, I’ll be bringing
them twice a day. They need the exercise for sure.”
Maureen Jurisic – who takes her dogs Abby, a
dachshund, and Cody, a pug, to Hammel Woods
continued on page 4
Forest Preserve Receives
Grant for New Longhouse
Hundreds of years ago, Native Americans
created large communal dwellings by lashing logs
together and covering the structures with bark
and furs. These “longhouses” could house up to
20 families and were typically 80 feet long and
16 to 23 feet high and wide.
In a quest to recreate those days and explain
how they relate to the French fur trade along
the Des Plaines River in Will County, the Forest
Preserve District built its own 14-by-40 foot
replica longhouse in 2003 at the District’s Isle a
la Cache Museum, located at 501 E. Romeo Road
(135th Street) in Romeoville.
In recent years, the structure’s log posts and
beams have become weathered, and the simulated
bark panels have outlived their expected lifespan
of five to eight years. Warping and cracking have
resulted in water, animal and insect penetration
of the structure.
But a new longhouse is coming. In June, the
Forest Preserve learned that it will receive a
$270,000 state grant to replace and enhance the
exhibit. The new longhouse will be built with
man-made materials that are more weather
resistant. The longhouse project is expected to be
completed by the summer of 2016.
“This grant allows us to replace an 11-year-old
structure, something the District would not have
been able to do otherwise,” said Lynn Kurczewski,
the District’s superintendent of Public Programs
and Education.
The grant also will be used to add interpretive
signs, utilities, and native trees and shrubs to the
longhouse site and to make it more compliant
with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some
of the signs will be located in the longhouse’s
Native American “Three Sisters Garden,”
which will feature the “three sisters” crops of
corn, beans and squash, as well as sunflowers
and watermelon. The garden will become the
backdrop for workshops on native agriculture,
continued on page 5
Monee Reservoir Makes Top 100 List
The Forest Preserve District of Will County’s
Monee Reservoir was recently named as one of
the “Top 100 Family-Friendly Places to Boat
and Fish in the U.S.” by the Recreational
TOP
Boating and Fishing Foundation.
Monee Reservoir was one of five Illinois
sites to make the list. The Alexandria,
Virginia-based Recreational Boating and Fishing
Foundation (RBFF) created the inaugural list as
part of its “Take Me Fishing” campaign. To get
on the list, lakes and rivers had to have familyfriendly locations and amenities in park settings,
be well stocked with fish, and have plenty of
places to cast fishing lines.
“Anglers from around the U.S. cast their vote
and thought these parks offered some of the
best fishing spots,” according to RBFF’s Web site,
www.takemefishing.org.
The 46-acre Monee Reservoir – which was
100
ReconnectWithNature.org
once used by a railroad to supply water to steam
engines – is stocked with bluegill, black crappie,
largemouth bass and channel catfish. Boat and
fishing pole rentals are available, and the Visitor
Center sells bait, tackle, fishing licenses and
snacks. During the fishing and boating season,
many special programs take place at Monee
Reservoir including fishing derbies and kayaking
and canoeing classes.
Forest Preserve District officials said they
were not surprised that Monee Reservoir made
RBFF’s list.
“Monee Reservoir is the jewel of our Forest
Preserve network,” said Don Gould, president of
the District’s Board of Commissioners. “It has so
much to offer Will County residents.” Diane Carson, facility coordinator at Monee
Reservoir, said the lake gets rave reviews from the
continued on page 3
1
WILLY’SWILDERNESS
COMPOST IN A CUP
LEAVE
NO CHILD
INSIDE
INITIATIVE
The experience of childhood
continues to evolve. With
so many cool gadgets,
video games and other
electronic entertainment,
kids today have plenty of
motivation to stay inside
and stay sitting down.
These structured indoor
activities hinder creativity,
imagination and physical
activity. The Chicago
Wilderness Leave No Child
Inside Initiative was created
to encourage healthy
outdoor experiences and
to promote the importance
of interaction with nature
throughout childhood.
Playing outside has many
physical and mental
health benefits, which is
one reason the initiative
strives to motivate the next
generation to spend less
time inside.
The Forest Preserve District
of Will County supports
the initiative by providing
plentiful access to natural
areas and by hosting
outdoor programs yearround. The fun activities
and information on this
page also support the
initiative by helping to
spread the joy and benefits
of playing outside with
today’s youth.
Please share this page
with your children or
other youngsters in your
life to provide them an
opportunity to learn about
the natural world around
them and to be inspired to
spend more time outside.
If you and your kids
like this page or have
fun stories about your
outdoor experiences, let
us know; we would love to
hear from you! Send your
stories and/or pictures
to the Superintendent
of Public Affairs at
comments@fpdwc.org. If
we like what you send, we
just might publish it in our
next issue to share with our
readers. n
2
Composting is nature’s way of
recycling things into soil. Anything
that was once living will decompose
into compost. Finished compost
looks like crumbly dark brown soil
and smells like a forest floor.
Making Your Own
Compost in a Cup
Decomposition:
NATURE’S WAY OF RECYCLING
Decomposition (de•com•po•si•tion) is the process of breaking down
organic matter. Organic matter is dead plants and animals that are rotting
or decaying. Mother Nature employs decomposers such as fungi, millipedes,
slugs and worms to help out with this job. When eating the organic matter,
the decomposers can turn it into vitamin-rich soil by passing it through
their bodies. This is how the fall leaves disappear come springtime. Can you
imagine how high the leaf layer would be without decomposers? n
FUNKY FUNGI
DID YOU KNOW?
is estimated that the removal of
SCAVENGER HUNT • Itdead
material from forests can mean
Do you know what fungi are?
Fungi fall into a category of
organisms that is separate from
plants, animals and bacteria. This
group includes yeasts, molds and
the more familiar mushrooms. Try
your luck at finding some of the
different fungi that live outdoors in
the form of mushrooms. See if you
can find a variety of funky fungi
that match the descriptions below.
Check them off the list as you
find them.
Fungi:
☐☐
☐☐
☐☐
☐☐
☐☐
☐☐
☐☐
☐☐
☐☐
☐☐
with a skinny stem
shaped like a ball
that looks like a brain
with spots on the top
that is orange or red
that looks like a shelf
that is shaped like an umbrella
with a snail or slug on it
with a fat stem
that is shaped like a cup n
a loss of habitat of up to 20 percent
of the animals in the ecosystem.
• Standing dead trees are called “snags.”
• Scientists who study mushrooms
are called mycologists.
• There are more micro-organisms
in a teaspoon of soil than there
are humans alive on the planet. n
NATURE JOKES
What do you get when you cross
a millipede with a parrot?
A walkie talkie!
What do you call a rabbit
with beetles all over it?
Bugs bunny!
Why do fungi have to pay
double bus fare?
Because they take up
too mushroom! n
Ingredients and Supplies
• 16 oz. cup with holes in bottom
• 1 large bowl
• Organic compostable items (leaves,
grass clippings, vegetable scraps,
fruit peels, coffee grounds, etc.)
• 1/4 cup of soil or dirt
• 1-2 teaspoons of water
• 1 piece of plastic wrap (enough to
cover the top of the 16 oz. cup)
• 1 rubber band
• 1 large plastic spoon
Instructions
1. Place your organized compostable
items in a large bowl. Then,
add 1/4 cup of dirt and 1-2
teaspoons of water. Mix together.
2. Next, take your 16 oz. cup with
holes in the bottom and put 2
scoops from your bowl in the
cup. Now, take your piece of
plastic wrap and place it on top
of your cup. Tightly secure the
plastic wrap around the rim of
the cup with the rubber band.
3. Compost piles need sun, shade,
water and movement, so put the
cup outside in an area that has
sunshine for part of the day.
4. Your compost cup is now
complete and the composting
process is underway! It is time
to let nature do its thing!
5. Every few days, add 1 teaspoon
of water to your cup and give
the contents a little “shake.”
The water and movement will
help the composting process.
6. Check it every few days to see if
the items have composted yet. n
COLORING
CORNER
Did you know that mushrooms
can be all sorts of colors? Some are
white or brown, some are blue or
purple, some are red with white polka
dots, and others, like the jack-olantern fungus, can even glow in
the dark! Create your own special
color combination by coloring
the mushrooms.
The Citizen - Fall 2014
The Bees are Back at
Plum Creek Nature Center
Plum Creek Nature Center in
Beecher is all abuzz about bees.
After being without a live bee
exhibit for a little more than a year,
the Nature Center now has a new,
thriving exhibit that is entertaining
and educating visitors once again.
“We’re very, very excited to get
our bees back because they were
a popular exhibit,” said facility
coordinator Bob Bryerton. “It was
a big part of the Nature Center that
was missing.”
A bee hive exhibit was first
displayed at the Forest Preserve
District’s Nature Center about five
years ago.
“For the first two or three years,
it was really cool,” Bryerton said.
“We learned so much by having the
hive here.”
The bees were encased in clear
plastic so Nature Center visitors
could watch the insects work as
they filled the hive with honey and
zipped outside through a PVC pipe
to find more nectar and pollen. But
the educational experience turned
sour when small hive beetles struck
and wiped out the bee colony.
“I don’t know how they got in, but
they got in,” Bryerton said. “Two to
three times we put bees in and small
hive beetles destroyed them.”
So Bryerton and his bee advisers
Top 100 List
continued from page 1
public. And Monee Reservoir staff
work hard to offer quality programs
and services that appeal to diverse
interests, she added.
“We want to create generations of
people who love boating, fishing and
outdoor recreation as much as we
do,” she said.
Four other Illinois sites made the
list: Starved Rock State Park on the
Illinois River at Utica, Chain O’Lakes
State Park at Spring Grove, North
Point Marina on Lake Michigan and
Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park Lake
near Kewanee. All four sites are
managed by the Illinois Department
of Natural Resources.
For more information
about Monee Reservoir, visit
ReconnectWithNature.org or call
708.534.8499. The preserve is
located at 27341 Ridgeland Avenue
in Monee. For the complete “Top
100 Family-Friendly List of Places
to Boat and Fish in the U.S.,” visit
www.takemefishing.org. n
put their heads together to find a
solution. That’s when beekeeper
Mike Rusnak of Glenwood decided
to come up with a new display that
would better prevent small hive
beetle infestations.
The new hive also is clear, so the
bees are again visible to visitors. But
this time, there is a large open space
that the bees can fill as they grow
in numbers. This reduces the stress
on the initial bees that populate
the exhibit.
“They will only build in the
open area when they are ready,”
Bryerton said.
Also, the bee exhibit is covered
with fabric when the Nature Center
is closed or no one is visiting the
hive. That, too, lessens the stress on
the resident bees.
Rusnak’s design included a small
piece of wood with a crevice that was
placed in the new hive. If small hive
beetles show up, they will nestle in
the crack and be visible right away,
Bryerton said.
“So far, we haven’t been able to see
any, which is good,” he said.
If another infestation does
strike, beekeeper Rusnak – who
has achieved an advanced level
in the University of Florida’s
Master Beekeeper Program – has a
replacement bee exhibit waiting in
the wings.
Instead of an opaque PVC pipe
like the first bee exhibit, the current
exhibit has a clear plastic pipe
that shows worker bees flying in
and out of the hive as they gather
pollen and nectar. The bees take
the nectar and pass it back and
forth from mouth to mouth. As
some of the water evaporates, it
mixes with saliva to make honey
that is stored in honeycomb cells,
Bryerton explained.
Bees that are successful in finding
pollen outside do a “waggle” dance
when they return to the hive, he said
as he pointed to bees wiggling their
waggles in the exhibit. But the dance
isn’t just for fun. There is a message
in the movement.
“She is basically giving other
bees directions to the pollen,”
Bryerton explained.
The hive is made up mostly of
female bees who do all of the work.
“Drones are the males,” Bryerton
said. “They don’t do any work.
They’re just there to mate with
the queen.”
Bees also make bee bread out of
the pollen and a special royal jelly to
feed the queen, who is marked with
a splotch of green paint on her back
so Nature Center visitors can find
her in the hive.
What started with a couple of
hundred bees in mid-May grew to
well over 1,000 specimens by July.
Bryerton said visitors now make a
beeline to the hive as soon as they
enter the Nature Center.
“They marvel at what’s going on
here,” he said.
But there is just one more problem
with the fascinating bee hive now
that it’s up and running.
“It’s easy to get caught up
watching them but eventually you
have to pull away,” Bryerton said of
the show the bees put on every day.
The bees aren’t the only new
creatures at the Nature Center.
A newly arrived bearded dragon
named Dani also has taken up
residence at Plum Creek. She
joins Bud, a ball python; Smash
Box, a three-toed turtle; and an
aquarium filled with pond creatures,
including a crayfish, snails and a
leech. Outside, the Nature Center is
teeming with birds.
Because it features live creatures,
Plum Creek Nature Center is a
popular stop for adults and children
alike who want to learn more about
the animals and insects around us.
“Having these types of displays
gives visitors a chance to view
animals up close in a safe setting,”
Bryerton said. “Seeing bees or a
snake outdoors can be a frightening
experience for some. Once Nature
Center visitors get a chance to
really look at the animals and
learn about them, it helps build an
understanding and appreciation.
This takes away some of the fear
and creates a better connection
with nature.” n
“Cruise the Creek” Rolls On for Sixth Year
Summer has passed. The days
carry a hint of cool weather, and
nature is signaling the transition
to fall. It is the perfect time of
year for a relaxing bike ride. Join
hundreds of other bicyclists for a
leisurely roll through New Lenox,
Mokena and Frankfort when
“Cruise the Creek,” a free, family
bike ride, returns for the sixth
year on Saturday, October 4, from
noon-4 p.m. at Hickory Creek
Preserve – Hickory Creek Barrens
in New Lenox.
This year’s event offers a 6-mile
ride that loops the Hickory Creek
Bikeway and Old Plank Road
Trail, and returns riders to the
starting point at Hickory Creek
Barrens. The course carries riders
through forest, wetland and
prairie landscapes.
This event is open to all ages,
though individual riders should
be at least 11 years old. Wearing
safety helmets is strongly
recommended, and participants
should bring drinking water.
Check-in for pre-registered
riders will begin at 11:30 a.m. The
first 500 pre-registered guests to
check in will receive a free event
T-shirt.
On-site registration will also be
available, but will not begin until
noon. Same-day registrants are
not eligible for an event T-shirt.
Throughout the four-hour
OCT
4
program, activities
will be ongoing
at Hickory Creek
Barrens. Music,
children’s activities, a petting zoo,
inflatables, pumpkin painting
and the roasting of s’mores over
an open campfire are among the
attractions. Food will also be
available for purchase.
Participants can preregister for the ride by visiting
ReconnectWithNature.org or by
calling 815.727.8700.
“Cruise the Creek” is made
possible by the following generous
event sponsors: JULIE, Inc.;
Bill Jacobs Auto Group; BMO
Harris Bank; Enbridge Energy;
CITGO Lemont Refinery; Saratoga
Food Specialties; CARCARE
Collision Centers; Exelon
Generation; ExxonMobil Pipeline;
TransCanada; and Canadian
National Railway Company.
Like many Forest Preserve
programs, “Cruise the Creek” is a
perfect family outing. So join in
the fun and pre-register for this
free event! n
3
Bike Trail Update Presented at Plainfield Library
Ever since the first shovelful of
dirt was turned for the Old Plank
Road Trail in the mid-1990s, the
Forest Preserve District’s regional
trail network has been expanding.
As the trail system keeps rolling
along, more and more of the paths
are heading toward a central hub,
said Ralph Schultz, director of
Planning and Operations for the
District, during a program called
“Exploring Will and DuPage County
Bike Trails” held July 17 at the
Plainfield Public Library.
“One of the keys to our trail
system in Will County is that
the nexus of all of our trails is in
downtown Joliet,” Schultz said.
In the past, the trail hub was
centered at the Joliet Public Library,
but now it’s moving to the new
multimodal transportation center
that the city is creating at Union
Station, Schultz said. Street signs in
downtown Joliet direct bicyclists to
trail connections in all directions.
The Old Plank Road Trail flows
west into Will County from the
south suburbs of Chicago. The
Wauponsee Glacial Trail stretches
north from the Kankakee River in
Custer Park. The I&M Canal State
Trail travels east from Grundy and
LaSalle counties. The DuPage River
Trail system heads south from
DuPage County. And the Centennial
Trail wends its way south from
Cook County.
“We’ve just about got every county
covered and pretty soon we’re going
to have Kendall County, too, with
some of the work we’re doing in the
far western region of Plainfield and
south of Aurora,” Schultz told the
crowd of parents and children who
gathered for the program.
The trail system wasn’t built by the
District alone, he added. Many other
governmental entities helped create
the network, which includes 127
miles of paved or crushed limestone
paths owned by the District. And
most of the trail projects included
state grants and contributions from
other agencies.
“We rely on municipalities, we rely
on the state,” Schultz said. “We rely
on a lot of local partners. And those
partnerships change over time.
Sometimes it’s a cash contribution.
Sometimes it’s a land contribution.
Sometimes it’s us doing something
for somebody else or vice versa.”
The 21-mile Old Plank Road Trail
(OPRT), which runs from Park
Forest to Joliet, was the District’s
first regional trail. Planning started
in the 1980s, but it took a long time
to become a reality.
“We didn’t actually acquire any of
the land until the early 1990s,” he
said. “And we didn’t move the first
shovelful of dirt until around 1995.”
The District, which owns 11.6
miles of the OPRT, participates in
a management commission with
other municipal owners. The group
works to make the trail consistent
for bikers and hikers as they travel
through the different communities.
“We tried to develop the trail as
one cohesive trail so that our riders
and visitors don’t see differences as
they go from east to west or west to
east,” Schultz said.
The city of Chicago Heights is
planning to build a new section of
trail that will push the OPRT east
past Western Avenue to the Forest
Preserve District of Cook County’s
Thorn Creek Trail. That link will
allow trail users to hop onto the
Burnham Greenway Trail in Chicago.
During the library program,
Schultz also touched on other trail
projects that are either underway or
in the planning stages, including:
Plum Creek Greenway Trail:
A 2-mile extension of the trail
through Plum Valley Preserve is
in the planning stages as part of
a new access area and dog park
development in Crete Township.
Plum Creek Greenway Trail
allows for pedestrians, bicyclists
and equestrians.
Veterans Memorial Trail: The
District is nearing completion of a
1.5-mile segment of the Veterans
Memorial Trail linking Centennial
Trail to International Parkway along
the Veterans Memorial Tollway. This
extension provides a vital link to
the region’s bicycle trail network.
The District is currently in the
engineering phase for the remainder
of the trail between 127th Street in
Lemont and Route 6 in New Lenox.
DuPage River Trail: The District
recently completed a 1.9-mile
extension of the trail in Hammel
Woods in Shorewood. Engineering
plans are being drafted now to
extend the trail to link it with the
Rock Run Greenway Trail along
the south side of Black Road. Also,
engineering is underway for an
extension of the DuPage River
Trail in Naperville from Knoch
Knolls Park to 95th Street. This
connection will link the District’s
Vermont Cemetery Preserve to the
DuPage River Trail via the Tall Grass
Greenway Trail.
Whalon Lake: The District is
in the engineering phase for two
trail connections that will link
Whalon Lake in Naperville to the
Bolingbrook Park District’s Hidden
Lakes Trout Farm and the DuPage
River Trail south of the river and
another that will link the preserve
to an existing bicycle lane on
Royce Road in Bolingbrook. The
connection to Hidden Lakes will
also provide access to the Hidden
Oaks Nature Center operated by the
Bolingbrook Park District. n
Fifth Dog Park Opens
OCT
Dogs in Costumes? You Betcha!
The kids have their Halloween
costumes and are ready to hit
the streets for sweets. But what
about the family pet? Your
beloved canine can also join
in the fun and dress up in an
imaginative costume at the fifth
annual “Howloween Hoopla” on
Saturday, October 25. This free
program will be held at Whalon
Lake Dog Park in Naperville from
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Festivities will include costume
contests with prizes, doggy games
and free giveaways. On hand will be
4
25
dog rescue organizations, pet vendors
and pet services. Demonstrations,
such as agility or obedience, will
also be a part of the program.
“Howloween Hoopla” will be
held inside the free-run Whalon
Lake Dog Park on uneven, natural
terrain. All dogs must be leashed
while outside the dog park. A
dog park permit is not required
for this program, but all other
ordinances apply.
For more information or if you
are an interested vendor, call
708.534.8499. n
Dog Park in Shorewood – said she will
now head to Rock Run Dog Park as well.
“I like it,” the Joliet woman said of
the new dog park as her two canine
companions sniffed around the
pavilion area. “It’s very nice. I’ll just
come down Houbolt Road and hit
both of (the dog parks).”
Jurisic and Weaver both said
they liked the fact that one of the
Rock Run Dog Park’s three 2.5acre enclosures is for small dogs
that weigh 35 pounds or less. The
second enclosure is for big dogs and
the third will be used to rotate the
fields, so the turf can rebound from
canine cavorting.
“The separate areas for big and
little dogs is probably the best idea,”
said Melissa Brown of Joliet, who
brought her German shepherd, Nala,
to the dog park opening. “It’s nice to
let your dog run free.”
Kris Schrader of Morris said her
German shepherd, Sadie, loves the
socialization factor, too.
“I think this is great because they
can get off the leash and check out
other dogs,” Schrader said. “She loves
it. She gets very excited just trying to
get out of the car.”
In addition to Rock Run,
Messenger Marsh and Hammel
Woods, the District also has dog
parks at Whalon Lake in Naperville
and Forked Creek Preserve
in Wilmington.
Permits, which are required for
dog park use, may be purchased
in person at Plum Creek Nature
Center in Beecher, Isle a la Cache
Museum in Romeoville, Monee
Reservoir in Monee or Sugar Creek
Administration Center in Joliet.
Permit applications may also be
submitted by mail along with
payment. Applicants may register
up to three dogs. All dogs must be
current on rabies vaccinations.
For more information on the
Forest Preserve District’s dog parks
or to obtain a dog park permit
application, call 815.727.8700 or
visit ReconnectWithNature.org. n
Enjoy Winter Activities in
the Forest Preserves
Will we get a lot of snow this
winter? If we do, you don’t want
to be stuck inside all season!
Visit one of the preserves
to hike, cross-country ski or
snowshoe on a crisp winter day.
Sledding and ice skating are
available at some preserves too,
so there is no excuse to sit inside
and complain about the weather.
Get out and enjoy the season in
the preserves.
The sled hill at Goodenow
Grove Nature Preserve will
open for the season on
Monday, December 1, providing
conditions allow for sledding.
The sled hill opens at 9 a.m. and
closes at sunset throughout
the winter season. Come out to
swoosh down the hill on a snowy
day. Bring your own plastic or
inflatable sleds to use on the
hill, or rent a giant inner tube at
Plum Creek Nature Center for
$1/tube. Take a break from the
cold to warm up in the Nature
Center by the fire and enjoy a
cup of hot chocolate, available
for purchase. Also check the
calendar for a “Twilight Tubing”
program, when regular sledding
hours are extended into
the evening.
Got ice skates? Ice skating is
available on a pond at Goodenow
hot chocolate or cider, which are
available for purchase.
Monee Reservoir is also
host to the annual “Musher
Mania.” In 2015, it will be
held on Saturday, January 10.
This program is a great way
to enjoy the outdoors, learn
about the sport of mushing and
the Iditarod race, and see dog
sled demonstrations.
For more information on
the Forest Preserve’s winter
activities, contact Plum Creek
Nature Center at 708.946.2216
or Monee Reservoir at
708.534.8499, or visit
ReconnectWithNature.org. n
Grove starting Monday,
December 1, when conditions
allow for skating. Skate rentals
are not available.
Have your own skis or
snowshoes? Snowshoeing
and cross-country skiing are
available on many preserve trails
when conditions allow. For a
complete list of locations, visit
ReconnectWithNature.org.
Snowshoe rentals are available
at Monee Reservoir in the
Visitor Center. Try something
new this winter and burn up
those calories by snowshoeing
on the two miles of trails in the
preserve, and then warm up in
the Visitor Center with coffee,
Forest Preserve
District Enlarges
Teale Woods
The Forest Preserve District’s
smallest developed preserve just had a
growth spurt.
A land acquisition approved by the
District’s Board of Commissioners on July
10 will enlarge Teale Woods Preserve,
which is located along Historic Route 66
in Joliet.
The 0.43-acre parcel purchased by
the District is positioned along North
Broadway Street and is surrounded on
three sides by the preserve.
“The new property will allow the Forest
Preserve District to provide off-street
parking for preserve visitors, and it also
will serve as a trailhead for the Broadway
Greenway, which is owned and managed
by the City of Joliet,” said Marcy DeMauro,
the District’s executive director.
Teale Woods is the northernmost
terminus of Joliet’s Broadway Greenway,
which is a linear city park located between
Broadway Street and the west bank of the
Des Plaines River. The one-mile Broadway
Greenway runs between Ruby and
Theodore streets.
Teale Woods Preserve was named after
naturalist Edwin Way Teale, who was born
in Joliet in 1899 and was a champion of
small “wild” areas in cities. The preserve
affords city residents a breath of fresh air
in an urban area surrounded by residential
and commercial developments.
The District purchased the 14-acre
preserve – which is located south of
Theodore Street and east of Center Street
– in 1994. Teale Woods features a 0.3-mile
paved trail that runs from Theodore Street
to Broadway Street and provides access to
open lawn areas and seating. n
Grant Received for New Longhouse
food preservation and preparation, and seasonal
events tied to planting and harvesting.
The addition of utilities to the longhouse will
improve ventilation and lighting. It will also
enable year-round programming. Interior seating
will be expanded and will be more accessible. Also,
the campfire circle will be upgraded to provide
permanent seating and enhanced accessibility.
“Since 2003, the longhouse has been an integral
part of our educational field trip program,”
Kurczewski said. “More than 4,000 students visit
the longhouse each school year to learn about
Potawatomi life during the late 1700s.”
The longhouse is an essential component of
Isle a la Cache Museum’s interactive experience,
which offers visitors an adventure in 18th century
history, when the “Illinois Country” was home to
French voyageurs and native Potawatomi.
The Museum is one of 47 Illinois museums that
will receive a portion of the $20 million state
capital investment grant, which is part of the
Illinois Jobs Now construction program.
“Museums play a vital role in telling us about
our world and who we are, where we’ve been and
where we’re going,” Governor Pat Quinn said in
a press release announcing the grants. “These
investments will help museums attract even more
visitors, boost tourism, create hundreds of jobs
and help preserve our history for generations
to come.”
Two other Will County facilities also were
awarded grants. Bird Haven Greenhouse in Joliet
will receive $741,000 to install a glass ceiling,
shade cloth and new growing houses. Hidden
Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook will receive
$104,500 to construct a wood pavilion with a
fireplace, tables and seating. n
5
“Woods Walk” Challenge OCT
Runs through October 31 31
There’s still time to take
part in the 14th annual
“Woods Walk” challenge,
which is designed to
introduce participants to the
beauty and variety of Forest
Preserve District trails. The
challenge runs through the
end of October.
Ten different trails make
up this year’s list, and the
challenge is to hike at least
seven of them by October
31. Completing the challenge
earns a collectable medal
that can be attached to
a walking stick, hat or
backpack. A second special
gift will be awarded for
those who complete all 10
trails. For a list of this year’s
“Woods Walk” trails and
their locations, please visit
ReconnectWithNature.org.
“Woods Walk” participants
can download a Travel Log
at ReconnectWithNature.org.
Travel Logs can also
be obtained by calling
815.727.8700 or by visiting
one of the following Forest
Preserve Visitor Centers:
Sugar Creek Administration
Center in Joliet; Isle
a la Cache Museum in
Romeoville; Monee Reservoir
in Monee; or Plum Creek
Nature Center in Beecher.
Complete the online Travel
Log submission form to have
your reward(s) mailed to you,
or return your Travel Log to
one of the Visitor Centers
to receive your reward(s) in
person. The collector’s medal
(and the special gift for those
who walk all 10 trails) will
be mailed to those who send
in their Travel Log by mail or
submit it online.
At the culmination of
the program, a special
reception will be held for
“Woods Walk” participants
on Saturday, November
8, from 9-11 a.m. at the
Sugar Creek Administration
Center, 17540 W. Laraway
Road, in Joliet. This will
be an opportunity for
participants to turn in their
completed Travel Logs, enjoy
refreshments and meet other
Woods Walkers.
As part of the “Woods
Walk” program, a nature
photo contest offers prizes
for the top three pictures
selected by a panel of
judges. Up to five photos
can be submitted and will
be judged on focus, lighting,
composition, impact,
creativity and storytelling.
Simply bring a camera along
on your walks and capture
images that catch your
creative eye!
The first-place photo
winner will receive a digital
photo frame, the secondplace winner will receive
a backpack, and a travel
blanket will be awarded to
the third-place winner.
Photos can be submitted as
.jpg or .gif files on the Forest
Preserve’s online upload tool
at ReconnectWithNature.org/
Photo-Contest through
October 31.
Photos submitted for the
contest will be published
on the Forest Preserve’s
Web site and on the
District’s Flickr page. They
could also be featured in
District publications.
Enjoy the fall beauty and
brisk air as you discover the
uniqueness of each Forest
Preserve District trail in
this year’s “Woods Walk”
program. Chances are that
you will be so taken with
the experience, you will
look forward to next year’s
challenge! n
Sounds of the ’50s,
Cars from the Past
Attract Record Crowd
A gathering of nearly 3,000 people came to tour a classic
car show and relax to music from the 1950s at the Forest
Preserve District’s “Music at McKinley Outdoor Concert
and Car Show” on August 16. This year’s attendance was
the largest for the annual program, now in its third year.
McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove in Channahon
provided the setting for this late summer night’s event.
The car show, which opened the evening’s program, also
set a record with the number of classic cars displayed by
proud owners. Approximately 180 vintage autos from all
eras of American carmaking were on exhibit.
Ron Hahn of Channahon brought his shiny “hugger
orange” ’57 Chevy to the show.
“I found this one in the garbage, and I bought it for
$300. It’s sitting pretty tall now,” he said as he showed off
the beautifully restored classic.
Board of Commissioners President Don Gould
welcomed the crowd that spread out on blankets and lawn
chairs around Four Rivers Shelter. He thanked the event’s
many sponsors and introduced the evening’s performers,
the Cadillac Casanovas.
continued on page 14
ComEd Grant to Provide Prairie, Trail Enhancements
A demonstration prairie
will get some new species,
and trails will be upgraded
near the Forest Preserve
District’s Plum Creek Nature
Center thanks to a $10,000
ComEd Green Region
Program grant that was
announced in June.
The money will provide
new plants for the
demonstration prairie in
front of the Nature Center
at 27064 S. Dutton Road
in Beecher. The additional
plant species will enhance
interpretive opportunities
for visitors and school groups
as well as provide improved
habitat for wildlife.
The grant will also pay for
asphalt trail improvements
and woodland habitat
restoration in the Snapper
Pond Trail area in Goodenow
Grove Nature Preserve.
Trail improvements funded
by the grant will enhance
accessibility and will repair
more than 2,000 square feet
of asphalt. The grant will also
6
pay for paving of an existing
0.4-mile crushed limestone
path that leads from the
Nature Center to Snapper
Pond Trail, as well as new
trail signage.
This newly paved trail will
provide greater accessibility
to users with limited
mobility. The trail is an
integral part of the 5.5-mile
trail system at Goodenow
Grove, which is adjacent to
the Nature Center. A sign will
be erected near the trailhead
to recognize the ComEd
Green Region Program
for its contributions to
the improvements.
Habitat improvements
include removing invasive
species in the woodland trail
corridor. Removing these
species and promoting the
growth of desirable native
species in the prairie and
woodland will improve its
value as wildlife habitat.
foot sled hill.
Goodenow Grove is a
dedicated Illinois State
Nature Preserve due to the
high quality of native flora
and fauna found there. It
is regionally significant for
providing habitat for more
than 20 species of reptiles
and amphibians, including
many endangered or rare
species. It has a unique
combination of high visitor
usage and high-quality
natural areas. The Nature
Center received more than
10,000 visitors in 2013.
The Forest Preserve
Most of the work will be done
this year, with some finishing District was one of 22
governmental entities to
touches in 2015.
receive a grant from the
These improvements
ComEd Green Region
will enhance the visitor
Program. The grants –
experience and strengthen
which were administered by
the natural areas at these
sites, which provide a variety Openlands, a Chicago-based
of recreational opportunities, conservation group – are
designed to reward efforts to
including hiking, camping,
plan for, protect and improve
interpretive programs,
equestrian and bicycle trails, open land in ComEd’s service
area of northern Illinois. n
picnicking, snowshoeing,
skiing, ice skating and a 40-
WILL COUNTY NATURALIST’S ALMANAC
AUTUMN’S CALENDAR OF EVENTS
What does Mother Nature have in store for us in the coming months? In Will County, each season presents
new and exciting opportunities to explore and understand our ever-changing landscape and its inhabitants. The
weeks between the autumn equinox (September 21) and the winter solstice (December 21) can be marked by
observing the changes that take place from day to day and week to week. Imagine creating a calendar of nature’s
progress from summer’s end to winter’s onset in your own backyard. What are some of nature’s wonders that you
can observe and record during this time of year?
Leaf Turn
Moving South
Winding Down
One of the most obvious and easily noted
changes begins with the time of leaf turn,
when the deciduous trees begin to show their
autumn splendor. What causes a leaf to turn
color? A leaf is green because of the presence
of a pigment known as chlorophyll, which is
abundant in the leaf’s cells during the growing
season. The chloraphyll’s green color dominates
and masks out the colors of any other pigments
that may be present in the leaf. By late summer,
as daylight hours shorten and temperatures
cool, the veins that carry fluids into and out
of the leaf are gradually closed off as a layer of
special cork cells forms at the base of each leaf.
As this cork layer develops, water and mineral
intake into the leaf is reduced, slowly at first,
and then more rapidly. As the green chlorophyll
in the leaf is no longer replaced, other pigments
in the leaf begin to show. Eventually, the leaf
separates at the cork layer and falls to earth.
Which trees are the first to change,
and what colors do you witness? While
maples are best known for their striking
reds and bright orange blazes, take time
to look around and see what other colors
can be found on different trees and shrubs
in your neighborhood. Certain colors are
characteristic of particular species.
Here is a list that highlights the variety of
fall colors and the trees that display them:
• Golden-yellow – aspen, birch,
tulip tree, willow
• Golden-bronze – hickory
• Purplish-red – dogwood
• Dark red – red maple, sassafras,
scarlet oak, burning bush
• Flame red and orange – sugar maple,
sumac, Virginia creeper
• Brick-red, brown or russet – oaks
• Light tan – beech
By late summer, several species of birds
begin their annual migration to warmer
climates for the winter. Birds such as
flycatchers, warblers, swallows and swifts
that feed primarily on insects and other
invertebrates are the first birds to retreat to
the south, where food resources are more
plentiful. Watch for increased activity at your
bird feeders or fruit-bearing shrubs as birds
build their food reserves for the long flights
ahead. You may notice increasingly large
flocks of blackbirds – red-wings, grackles and
cowbirds – moving across fields or gathering
to roost in neighborhood parks. Skeins
of geese and sandhill cranes can be heard
cackling high overhead as they plow the skies
to their southern destinations. Hawks and
vultures gather from the north in large kettles,
as they follow the air currents that speed them
on their southward journey.
Early autumn is also a time to watch for the
sallying flights of butterflies. Many species
are noted for migrating south, sometimes
gathering in enormous numbers.
While the monarch butterfly is the best
known of this group of migrating insects,
you may find fidgeting flocks of the gaudy
red admirals. The butterflies you encounter
now are probably from the season’s second or
third generation.
By late autumn, look for the first snowbirds
to arrive. Dark-eyed juncos migrate from
Canada and northern states to spend their
winters in our more temperate regions. These
and other seed-eating birds are able to endure
the deprivations of winter and are a welcome
visitor whose presence at our bird feeders
brightens the cold months ahead.
Autumn is the time to enjoy a final flourish
of color and sound before the first frost arrives
and winter settles in. The heady blooms of
yellow goldenrods and purple asters linger,
and cabbage butterflies become more reckless
in their search for nectar. Cicadas die by
summer’s end, while the katydids hold on for
a few weeks longer. A nature walk to your local
forest preserve reveals trails cluttered with
hickory nuts and acorns, the splitting pods of
milkweed, the soft heads of cattails breaking
apart, and the bursting cigar-shaped seedpods
of the jewelweed.
Return to the trail a month later. What
changes have occurred? By mid- to late
autumn, the last wildflowers have all gone
to seed, the tree canopy is bare of leaves and
most songbirds have departed. At night,
crickets fill in for the silent katydids. Squirrels
are busy hoarding nuts for the winter,
while skunks and woodchucks fatten up on
insect larvae and grasses in preparation for
hibernation. They will disappear into their
wintering forest burrows by late November.
White-tailed deer bucks polish their antlers
on small trees and shrubs as their mating
season reaches its peak. Late autumn brings
wintry chill and the first snowfall. Many oaks
and beeches will hold dead leaves on their
branches through the coming winter. The
rustle of their leaves in the wind is a sharp
contrast to the quiet of snowy meadows. A
new season begins. n
7
CALENDAR of Events
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY FRIDAY
SATURDAY
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
Recycle Your Bicycle (MR) 6 a.m-5 p.m. [p.12]
Wednesday Morning Walkers (TCNC)
9-10:30 a.m. [p.13]
Recycle Your
Bicycle (MR)
6 a.m.-5 p.m. [p.12]
Recycle Your
Bicycle (MR) 6 a.m.-5 p.m. [p.12]
Recycle Your Bicycle (MR) 6 a.m.-5 p.m. [p.12]
Morning Bird Hike (PCNC) 8-10 a.m. [p.12]
Thorn Creek Garlic Fest (TCNC) Noon-3 p.m. [p.13]
Cruise the Creek Bike Ride and Fest (HCB)
Noon-4 p.m. [p.10]
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Riverview Farmstead
Tour (RF) 9:30-11 a.m. [p.12]
Recycle Your
Bicycle (MR)
6 a.m.-5 p.m. [p.12]
Recycle Your
Bicycle (MR)
6 a.m.-5 p.m. [p.12]
Recycle Your Bicycle
(MR) 6 a.m.-5 p.m. [p.12]
9-10:30 a.m. [p.13]
Nature Play Day for Parents and
Tots! (PCNC) 10-11:30 a.m. [p.12]
Recycle Your
Bicycle (MR)
6 a.m.-5 p.m. [p.12]
Recycle Your
Bicycle (MR)
6 a.m.-5 p.m. [p.12]
Magical Moon
Night Hike (TCNC)
7:30-9 p.m. [p.11]
Pelican Paddle (FR) Session 1: 10 a.m.-Noon
Session 2: 1-3 p.m. [p.12]
Autumn Night Hike (TCNC) 8-10 p.m. [p.10]
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Fun Frights
by Firelight (ICM)
7-8:30 p.m. [p.11]
Migratory Bird Hike (LR) 8-10 a.m. [p.12]
Junior Ecologists Club (TCNC) Noon-3 p.m. [p.11]
24
25
Recycle Your Bicycle (MR)
6 a.m.-5 p.m. [p.12]
Living History
Demonstration (ICM)
Noon-3:30 p.m. [p.11]
19
9-10:30 a.m. [p.13]
20
Celebrate Autumn Hike (PCNC)
10-11:30 a.m. [p.10]
Fall Colors Hike (TCNC)
1-3 p.m. [p.10]
26
OCTOBER
21
27
28
Skulls and Bones (TCNC)
Session 1: 1-2 p.m. Session
2: 2:30-3:30 p.m. [p.13]
2
3
4
29
Howloween Hoopla (WLDP) 11 a.m.-3 p.m. [p.11]
30
31
5
6
7
NOVEMBER
10
11
17
18
12
13
9-10:30 a.m. [p.13]
Nature Play Days for Parents and
Tots! (PCNC) 10-11:30 a.m. [p.12]
Searching for
Marquette:
A Pilgrimage
in Art (ICM)
7-8:30 p.m. [p.12]
19
20
14
24
25
26
8
Scout Day: Native American Skills and
Culture (ICM) Noon-3:30 p.m. [p.12]
Pie in the Sky Night Hike (TCNC) 6-8:30 p.m. [p.12]
15
Twine Bag Workshop (ICM) Noon-3 p.m. [p.13]
Story of the Landscape Hike (TCNC) 1-3 p.m. [p.13]
The Sandhill Crane Experience (PCNC) 1-7 p.m. [p.13]
21
9-10:30 a.m. [p.13]
23
1
Hoosier National Forest Backpacking (PCNC)
Depart at 8 a.m. Return at 5:30 p.m., November 3. [p.11]
9-10:30 a.m. [p.13]
Fall Nature
Photography (PCNC)
8:30-10 a.m. [p.10]
Living History
Demonstration (ICM)
Noon-3:30 p.m. [p.11]
16
23
9-10:30 a.m. [p.13]
An Afternoon with
Friends of Thorn Creek
Woods (TCNC) 1-3 p.m. [p.10]
9
22
Keep Your Eyes
on the Sky (FC-BL) 9-10:30 a.m. [p.13]
7:30-9 p.m. [p.11]
22
Holiday Recycled Crafts Workshop (FR)
9 a.m.-Noon [p.11]
27
28
29
9-10:30 a.m. [p.13]
30
8
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
3
4
6
5
9-10:30 a.m. [p.13]
Keep Your Eyes on the Sky (FC-BL)
7:30-9 p.m. [p.11]
7
8
9
Sustainable Craft Series:
Holiday Crafts (PCNC)
9-11 a.m. [p.13]
14
15
Living History
Demonstration (ICM)
Noon-3:30 p.m. [p.11]
Animals in Winter (TCNC)
1-3 p.m. [p.10]
21
16
Twelfth Month Night Hike (TCNC) 6-8:30 p.m. [p.13]
Holiday Nature Crafts (SCAC) 1-3 p.m. [p.11]
10
11
9-10:30 a.m. [p.13]
Nature Play Day for Parents and Tots!
(PCNC) 10-11:30 a.m. [p.12]
Voyageur
Family Fun
Night (ICM)
6:30-8 p.m. [p.13]
17
18
9-10:30 a.m. [p.13]
DECEMBER
22
23
24
25
12
13
Woodland Carols: Annual Food Drive (TCNC)
Noon-2 p.m. [p.13]
Adult Nature Series: A Walk With Thoreau (PCNC)
4:30-6:30 p.m. [p.10]
19
20
Caroling
Campfire (PCNC)
6:30-8 p.m. [p.10]
Native American Games Workshop
(ICM) 1-3 p.m. [p.12]
26
27
Recycle the Holiday Spirit (ICM, MR, PCNC & SCAC)
8 a.m.-4 p.m. [p.12]
Twilight Tubing (PCNC)
5-10 p.m. [p.13]
28
29
30
31
1
Recycle the Holiday
Spirit (ICM, MR, PCNC & SCAC)
8 a.m.-4 p.m. [p.12]
Recycle the
Holiday Spirit (ICM, MR,
PCNC & SCAC)
8 a.m.-4 p.m. [p.12]
Recycle the
Holiday
Spirit (ICM, MR,
PCNC & SCAC)
8 a.m.-4 p.m. [p.12]
Recycle the Holiday Spirit (ICM, MR,
PCNC & SCAC) 8 a.m.-4 p.m. [p.12]
Located on Butcher Lane, south of Kahler
Road, in Wilmington. Call 708.946.2216.
• Keep Your Eyes on the Sky
Four Rivers
Environmental
Education Center (FR)
Located at 25055 W. Walnut Lane,
McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove
at Blackberry Lane, south of Route 6,
in Channahon. Call 815.722.9470.
• Holiday Recycled
Crafts Workshop
• Pelican Paddle
Hickory Creek
Barrens (HCB)
Located on Schoolhouse Road, 0.25 mile north
of Route 30, in New Lenox. Call 815.727.8700.
• Cruise the Creek Bike
Ride and Fest
Isle a la Cache
Museum (ICM)
Located at 501 E. Romeo Road (135th
Street), 0.5 mile east of Route 53, in
Romeoville. Call 815.886.1467.
• Fun Frights by Firelight
• Living History
Demonstrations
• Native American
Games Workshop
• Recycle the Holiday Spirit
• Scout Day: Native American
Skills and Culture
• Searching for Marquette:
A Pilgrimage in Art
• Twine Bag Workshop
• Voyageur Family Fun Night
Lake Renwick Heron
Rookery Nature
Preserve (LR)
Located on Renwick Road, 0.5 mile
east of Route 30 (Plainfield Road), in
Plainfield. Call 708.946.2216.
• Migratory Bird Hikes
3
Recycle the Holiday Spirit
Saturday, December 27-Saturday, January 10
(ICM, MR, PCNC & SCAC) 8 a.m.-4 p.m. [p.12]
LOCATIONS
Forked Creek
Preserve – Butcher
Lane Access (FC-BL)
2
Events are listed here by location, along with facility
addresses and abbreviated codes for each site.
Monee Reservoir (MR)
Thorn Creek Nature
Center (TCNC)
Located at 27341 Ridgeland Avenue, west
of Route 50 and south of Pauling Road, 2
miles south of Monee. Call 708.534.8499.
Located at 247 Monee Road, in Park
Forest. Call 708.747.6320.
• Recycle Your Bicycle
Plum Creek Nature
Center (PCNC)
Located at 27064 S. Dutton Road,
1.25 miles east of the intersection of
Routes 1 and 394 on Goodenow Road,
in Beecher. Call 708.946.2216.
• Adult Nature Series: A
Walk With Thoreau
• Caroling Campfire
• Celebrate Autumn Hike
• Fall Nature Photography
• Hoosier National
Forest Backpacking
• Morning Bird Hikes
• Nature Play Days for
Parents and Tots!
• Sustainable Craft Series:
Holiday Crafts
• The Sandhill Crane
Experience
• Twilight Tubing
Riverview Farmstead
Riverview Farmstead
Preserve (RF)
Located on Book Road, south of
Hassert Boulevard/111th Street, in
Naperville. Call 815.886.1467.
• Riverview Farmstead Tour
Sugar Creek
Administration
Center (SCAC)
• An Afternoon with Friends
of Thorn Creek Woods
• Animals in Winter
• Autumn Night Hike
• Fall Colors Hike
• Junior Ecologists Club
• Magical Moon Night Hike
• Pie in the Sky Night Hike
• Skulls and Bones
• Story of the Landscape Hike
• Thorn Creek Garlic Fest
• Twelfth Month Night Hike
• Wednesday Morning
Walkers
• Woodland Carols:
Annual Food Drive
Located at 17540 W. Laraway Road,
in Joliet. Call 708.534.8499.
Whalon Lake
Dog Park (WLDP)
• Holiday Nature Crafts
Located on Royce Road, west of Route
53, in Naperville. Call 708.534.8499.
• Howloween Hoopla
9
DESCRIPTIONS
Programs listed here are intended for individuals and families. Organized groups should contact the Forest Preserve District at 815.727.8700 for information about group
programming options. All facilities and events are fully accessible to all unless otherwise noted. In providing programs and services to the public, the Forest Preserve District
will make reasonable modifications to ensure that all people have an equal opportunity to enjoy District offerings. Should you require modifications or assistive equipment
to participate in a Forest Preserve program, please make your request at least 48 hours prior to the program. For more information, visit ReconnectWithNature.org/ADA.
Adult Nature Series:
A Walk With Thoreau
Celebrate
Autumn Hike
Saturday, December 13
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 19
10-11:30 a.m.
Free! Ages 18 or older.
Registration required: 708.946.2216.
Free! All ages.
“The wind has gently murmured through
the blinds or puffed with feathery softness
against the windows, and occasionally sighed
like a summer zephyr lifting the leaves along
the livelong night.” One can't help but be
drawn into to the imagery of the natural
landscape in Henry D. Thoreau’s famous
essay “A Winter Walk.” Thoreau was an
artist, philosopher, and scientist of nature
and all its wonders. Treat yourself to a
relaxing hike through a wintry trail at
Goodenow Grove, pausing to listen to
selected parts of his essay along the way.
You are invited to bring your favorite
Thoreau essay as well! A warm fire and
hot cocoa await upon return to the
Nature Center. Hiking will be on preserve
trails with both paved and natural
surfaces, some which may be uneven.
Enjoy the beauty of the fall season
at Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve.
Explore the autumn splendor while hiking
and learning about the reasons for the
seasons. We will have activities for the
whole family to get personal with the
trees and their leaves. Plus, get those
creative juices flowing with a craft that
will be worthy to hang on the fridge. Dress
for the weather because this program
will take place outdoors on uneven trails
before returning to the Nature Center.
An Afternoon with
Friends of Thorn
Creek Woods
A Walk With Thoreau
Autumn Night Hike
Saturday, October 11
8-10 p.m.
Thorn Creek Nature Center
Registration required by Thursday,
October 9: 708.747.6320.
Experience the smells, sounds and
sights of the changing season by hiking
Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve’s
nighttime trails. No flashlights, please.
Participants should be prepared to walk
more than 2 miles outdoors on natural
surface trails across uneven terrain.
Sunday, November 2
1-3 p.m.
Free! All ages.
No registration required.
Join other nature lovers for a fall
hike, a program, refreshments and the
Friends annual meeting. Bring someone
new as a guest. New supporters, find
out what makes Thorn Creek unique!
more than 1 mile outdoors on natural
Animals in Winter
Sunday, December 14
1-3 p.m.
Registration required by Friday,
December 12: 708.747.6320.
Have you ever wondered how
animals spend the winter? They may
not have a cozy house and can’t make
hot chocolate, but they have several
adaptations that allow them to survive
even our harshest Midwest winters! We
will walk the trails searching for signs
of animals preparing for winter. If you
are so inclined, join us an hour earlier
at noon to help sort and pack up the
donations collected for the Rich Township
Food Pantry. Participants should be
prepared to walk more than 2 miles
outdoors over uneven, natural terrain.
Caroling Campfire
Caroling Campfire
Fall Colors Hike
Sunday, October 19
1-3 p.m.
Free! All ages.
October 17: 708.747.6320.
Walk the trails of Thorn Creek Woods
Nature Preserve amid trees of all types
transitioning from their summer green
leaves to shades of red, yellow, orange,
gold, russet and even purple – the colors
of autumn. Discover not only why
leaves change colors in the fall, but why
different trees turn different colors.
Cruise the Creek
Bike Ride and Fest
Saturday, October 4
Noon-4 p.m.
Hickory Creek Barrens
Free! All ages.
Pre-registration recommended:
or 815.727.8700.
The sixth annual autumn family
bike ride and festival is back! It begins
with a 6-mile leisurely bike ride on the
Hickory Creek Bikeway and Old Plank
Road Trail. This course winds through
a gorgeous backdrop of woodlands,
wetlands and prairie, and consists of a
paved trail and some sidewalks. After
the ride, enjoy free family entertainment
and activities, including a petting zoo
and pumpkin painting. Food will be
available for purchase. Pre-registration is
recommended for the ride and is offered
at ReconnectWithNature.org or by calling
815.727.8700. The first 500 pre-registered
riders to check in at “Cruise the Creek”
will receive a free T-shirt. Check-in for
pre-registered riders will begin at 11:30
a.m., and same-day registration will open
at noon. This event is open to all ages, but
it is recommended for individual riders to
be at least 11 years of age. All participants
are encouraged to wear a helmet.
Friday, December 19
6:30-8 p.m.
Fall Colors Hike
Fall Nature
Photography
Sunday, November 9
8:30-10 a.m.
"Take only pictures and leave
only footprints!" First, we will start
indoors to learn quick tips and tricks
for nature photography. Then we will
enjoy a morning hike while stopping
along the way to photograph the fall
colors of Goodenow Grove Nature
Preserve. This program is recommended
for beginners, and for technology
ranging from smartphone cameras to
digital SLRs. The program will focus
on technique and composition, not
camera operation. Indoor facilities are
accessible; outdoor settings may take
place on natural, uneven terrain.
Free! All ages.
With the holidays right around the
corner, get into the spirit at Plum Creek
Nature Center! Bring the whole family
for a night full of fun possibilities at
this winter campfire. We will be singing
holiday songs, telling stories and playing
games. The night will end with delicious
s’mores prepared over the open fire.
Come dressed for the weather; this
program will take place outdoors over
uneven, natural surfaces. If inclement
weather occurs, the program will take
place indoors in an accessible facility.
Cruise the Creek Bike Ride and Fest
10
Fun Frights by
Firelight
Howloween Hoopla
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Friday, October 17
7-8:30 p.m.
Whalon Lake Dog Park
Isle a la Cache Museum
Free! All ages.
Free! All ages.
Stories, games and treats – oh my! This
time of year we enjoy gathering around a
warm campfire and sharing what is special
about the season, whether it's scary fun
or tasty goodness. Dress appropriately
(with your favorite holiday costume and
mask, if you like). Weather permitting,
there is a short walk along a paved surface
to the outdoor amphitheater where the
program will be held. If the weather does
not cooperate, we'll head indoors to an
accessible facility for the festivities.
Holiday Nature Crafts
Holiday Nature Crafts
1-3 p.m.
Sugar Creek
Administration Center
This warm holiday program is inviting
for the whole family. Learn a few ways
to deck the halls naturally while sipping
on hot chocolate and listening to carols.
Bring friends and family for some
cooperative crafting while enjoying
some quality time together. Adults and
kids alike will have their own nature
crafting options from which to choose.
There will be something for everyone
to make and take home. All materials
will be provided. This program will take
Holiday Recycled
Crafts Workshop
Saturday, November 22
9 a.m.-Noon
Four Rivers Environmental
Education Center
“Deck the halls with cardboard boxes!
Fa la la la la…” Join us for the annual
recycled material arts and crafts bonanza.
This year’s focus is on decorations and
gifts made from cardboard and chipboard
boxes and tubes. Start collecting cereal
Holiday Recycled
Crafts Workshop
boxes, corrugated cardboard and tubes of
all sizes for these projects. Participants
should bring their recycled materials,
scissors and a ruler. All other supplies will
be provided. This is an adult workshop.
Projects vary in complexity and require
the ability to manipulate scissors and
small objects and to follow multi-step
directions. These workshops are always
a hit with our participants, so sign up
today and start recycling! Registration is
limited to 20 people. This program will
take place indoors in an accessible facility.
Come out to our annual Halloween
dog extravaganza, guaranteed to be a
howling good time! Bring your beloved
companion or, if you are in the market for
a furry friend, let a multitude of rescue
organizations cater to your doggy needs.
Festivities include a costume contest
with prizes, pet vendors, many free pet
services including nail clipping, microchipping, wellness checks and more.
Don’t forget about the free giveaways,
doggy games and food vendors! So
come celebrate Halloween with your
favorite four-legged friend. A dog park
permit is not required to attend the
day’s activities. All ordinances apply
and dogs must be leashed. For more
information or if you are an interested
vendor, please call 708.534.8499. This
program will take place in the dog
park on uneven, natural terrain.
Hoosier National
Forest Backpacking
Junior Ecologists
Club
Depart: Saturday,
November 1 at 8 a.m.
Return: Monday, November 3
at 5:30 p.m.
Saturdays, October 18,
November 1 & December 6
Noon-3 p.m.
Free! Ages 9-12.
Registration required 2 days before
each program date: 708.747.6320.
Ages 18 or older; $143/person.
Registration required by Wednesday,
October 15: 815.886.1467.
Join experienced naturalists for a
backpacking trip in the Hoosier National
Forest in Indiana's Charles Deam
Wilderness Area. This 2-night, 3-day
backpacking trip will include a unique
wilderness experience while backpacking
through scenic hardwood forests and
along the shores of beautiful Monroe
Lake. Experience primitive camping
under the stars in this remote wilderness
area. This program is for backpackers
with some previous experience.
Camping is in remote areas with no
running water or restroom facilities.
Trip costs include transportation, food
and camping fees. Meals during travel
time are not included in the cost of the
trip. Participants provide their own
backpacking gear, which includes a
backpack, sleeping bag, tent and personal
items. The Forest Preserve District will
provide group gear such as stoves, water
filters and cooking sets. Participants
will be provided with a packing list.
The group meets at Plum Creek Nature
Center for a 5-hour drive to the trailhead
near Bedford, Indiana. This trip requires
sitting in a van for extended periods of
time and group participation including
carrying group equipment and meal
preparation. Participants must be able
to hike 5-8 hours a day over rugged,
uneven terrain while carrying 40-50
pounds. Everyone must attend the
pre-trip meeting on October 15 from
7-8 p.m. at Plum Creek Nature Center.
Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve’s
“Junior Ecologists Club” offers fun-filled
nature activities each month for young
people. Club members will uncover the
mysteries of nature first-hand while
exploring the preserve, working on
projects and assisting with Nature Center
programs. Each month, they will explore
the woods, track seasonal changes and
discover woodland plants and animals.
Young people should be prepared to get
muddy, wear boots and long pants, and
bring a water bottle and insect repellent.
Hiking is approximately 1 mile on natural
Keep Your Eyes
on the Sky
Tuesday, October 21
Wednesday, December 3
7:30-9 p.m.
Forked Creek Preserve –
Butcher Lane Access
Free! All ages.
Here is an opportunity to get out
your telescope and view astronomical
objects in the fall skies. Bring your
telescopes and take advantage of the
darker skies this preserve offers. Staff
will be on hand to help you locate a host
of cool objects to view. Don’t have your
own telescope? Don’t worry, you can
come out and view through ours. This
program is weather dependent and will
be canceled if conditions are not suitable
for viewing. Call 708.946.2216 for
program status updates. This program
will require a short walk from the parking
area over mowed turf and uneven
surfaces to the telescope viewing area. Living History Demonstrations
Living History
Demonstrations
Sundays, October 12,
November 9 &
December 14
Noon-3:30 p.m.
Free! All ages.
Before superstores and modern
technology, people did get what they
needed. In the 1700s, it just took a
lot more work! The Isle a la Cache
Brigade is a volunteer group that
consists of re-enactors who represent
voyageurs, courier du bois, French
women, Métis and Natives. At any
given “Living History Demonstration,”
you may find musket shooters, cooks,
seamstresses or craftsman sharing
their talents. It’s history up close and
personal! This program is offered
indoors or outdoors on natural,
uneven terrain, weather permitting.
Indoor facilities are fully accessible.
Magical Moon
Night Hike
Friday, October 10
7:30-9 p.m.
Free! Ages 16 or younger.
Participants under the age of 8
must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration required by Wednesday,
October 8: 708.747.6320.
Come walk the boundary between the
natural and magical nighttime worlds
of Thorn Creek Woods. The music and
magic of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts will
help you use your senses to unlock
the woodland’s magical messages –
rustlings, hootings, whispering water,
scent of loamy soil, and flittering
shadows in the forest. Join us for a spell!
more than 1 mile outdoors on natural
11
Migratory Bird Hikes
Migratory Bird Hikes
October 25 & November 8
8-10 a.m.
Lake Renwick Heron
Rookery Nature Preserve
Nesting season has ended and the
herons, egrets and cormorants have
scattered, but many birds still find Lake
Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve
a great place to hang out. Fall is an ideal
time to view birds that use Lake Renwick
as a stopover during migration. Many
duck species can be spotted there, as well
as pelicans, warblers, or even a passing
osprey or eagle. Each week could bring
different birds! The hike is approximately
1 mile in length and will take place on
limestone paths. Dress for the weather
and bring along your favorite field
guide and binoculars. We will have a
limited supply of binoculars to share.
Morning Bird Hikes
November 1 & December 6
8-10 a.m.
Join us on our series of “Morning
Bird Hikes” as we explore the woods
of Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve
in search of late migrants and winter
residents. Each month will focus on a
different bird group: October – wood
ducks; November – dark-eyed juncos;
and December – northern cardinals.
Bring your binoculars and favorite
bird field guide. Participants will enjoy
a hike on natural surface trails across
uneven terrain. Come dressed for
the weather. Indoor viewing of birds
is possible after the program or in
unfavorable weather conditions.
Native American
Games Workshop
12
Native American
Games Workshop
1-3 p.m.
Ages 8-16; $10/person.
Learn the history of several Native
American games and toys and how to
make them. Participants may choose to
make one or more crafts, including a toy
buzzer, a corn husk doll, a ring and pin
game, and a dice game. This program will
be held indoors in a fully accessible facility.
Nature Play Days for
Parents and Tots!
Wednesdays, October 8,
November 12 &
December 10
10-11:30 a.m.
Free! Ages 1-5, accompanied
by an adult.
Once a month, parents with young
children can come out for a “Nature Play
Day.” You and your child may participate
in a hike, story, game, dancing or playing.
There will be a variety of organized and
free play activities. Activities are designed
for ages 3-5 but younger children are
welcome. Please dress for indoor and
outdoor activities. Indoor facilities are
accessible; outdoor activities may take
place on natural, uneven terrain.
Pelican Paddle
Session 1: 10 a.m.-Noon
Session 2: 1-3 p.m.
Four Rivers Environmental
Education Center
October 3: 708.534.8499.
Come on an adventure in kayaks as
we pursue the pelicans at Four Rivers
Environmental Education Center! Learn
about river paddling and safety skills,
and then discover these amazing animals
in their natural settings. With certified
kayak instructors, you will paddle the
river waters and try to get a closer look
at these unique birds as they rest during
their trip from Canada to the Gulf of
Mexico. These prehistoric looking animals
migrate through Illinois only twice a year,
so don’t miss your chance to experience
them while paddling. Don’t forget to
bring your camera; you will want to
take pictures! Outdoor activities may
take place on natural, uneven terrain.
Basic kayaking experience is required.
Pie in the Sky
Night Hike
Riverview
Farmstead Tour
6-8:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 5
9:30-11 a.m.
Riverview Farmstead Preserve
November 6: 708.747.6320.
Free! All ages.
Join us for a meandering hike through
Thorn Creek Woods while we unravel
some mysteries of life in the cold. Then
we’ll return to the Nature Center for a
slice of homemade pie. Rain, snow, or
Moon shine, this program will be held,
so be sure to dress for the weather.
Recycle the
Holiday Spirit
Saturday, December 27 –
Saturday, January 10
8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Isle a la Cache Museum,
Monee Reservoir, Plum Creek
Nature Center and Sugar
Creek Administration Center
This year, give the Earth a gift by
recycling your Christmas tree! Every
year, millions of Christmas trees end up
in landfills. However, you can give your
tree a second life by recycling it with the
Forest Preserve. Your trees will take a
new life “path” by becoming mulch used
on our trails and for landscaping. Please
remove all tinsel, lights and ornaments
before dropping off your tree. The drop-off
locations will be in designated parking
lots of the Visitor Centers listed above.
This program is for individual households;
no commercial tree surplus, please.
Recycle Your Bicycle
Wednesday, October 1–
Sunday, October 12
6 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monee Reservoir
Free! All ages.
This program is designed to practice
environmental stewardship while helping
others. What a win-win! Monee Reservoir
will collect bicycles to be given to local
recycling centers that refurbish them for
youth or individuals with disabilities.
Bikes can be in any condition: brand
new or beyond repair. Be green – reduce,
reuse, recycle! Let the Forest Preserve
be an avenue to make that happen,
especially to benefit someone in need.
Join us at Riverview Farmstead
Preserve as we explore our agricultural
heritage. An early settlement farm,
Riverview Farmstead was home to
three generations of the Thomas Clow
family. Today, the Forest Preserve
District is working to preserve the
remaining buildings, including
the Settlement House, Limestone
House and Timber Frame Barn.
This program takes place on natural,
uneven terrain and limestone paths.
Scout Day: Native
American Skills
and Culture
Noon-3:30 p.m.
Free! Recommended for Scouts
ages 8-12, accompanied by
parents or Scout leader.
If you are a Scout or Brownie, join us
for a program focusing on the Native
American heritage of northern Illinois.
Discover how the Potawatomi lived
in the wilderness. Visit a longhouse
to learn about the daily life of the
Potawatomi, play Native American
games, share in stories that incorporate
a Native American language, and use
primitive techniques for fire-making.
Part of this program will be outdoors, so
please dress for the weather. Hiking on
paved and non-paved trails is involved
with some natural, uneven terrain.
Searching for
Marquette: A
Pilgrimage in Art
Thursday, November 13
7-8:30 p.m.
Through monuments and artwork,
Ruth D. Nelson’s Searching for Marquette:
A Pilgrimage in Art retells the story of the
17th century French Jesuit missionaryexplorer Father Jacques Marquette, the
celebrated surveyor of the Mississippi
River. His expedition down the Great
River was only part of the Marquette
legacy, which began on the southern
shore of Lake Superior and ended on the
eastern shore of Lake Michigan. Searching
for Marquette follows his journey through
today’s cities and towns in Wisconsin,
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Arkansas
to uncover French relics, Native American
royalty, and hearty settlers in a drama
of faith, the fur trade, and the future of
America’s heartland. This program will
take place indoors in an accessible facility.
Pelican Paddle
Thorn Creek
Garlic Fest
Twine Bag Workshop
Noon-3 p.m.
Saturday, October 4
Noon-3 p.m.
All ages; $5/car or $1/bicycle.
Scout Day: Native American Skills and Culture
Skulls and Bones
Sunday, October 26
Session 1: 1-2 p.m.
Session 2: 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Sustainable Craft
Series: Holiday Crafts
Sunday, December 7
9-11 a.m.
All ages. Participants under the
age of 6 must be accompanied
by an adult; $5/person.
October 24: 708.747.6320.
Kids of all ages can bone up on their
artistic skills and anatomical knowledge
at Thorn Creek Nature Center. Local
artist Patricia Moore will guide them
in a Halloween art experience using
bones as subject and medium. Skulls,
antlers and the macabre remains of the
animals of Thorn Creek Woods Nature
Preserve – deer, raccoons, voles and other
wildlife – will be on display for aspiring
artists to examine. Participants can draw
them in the vibrant colored surrealistic
style of Georgia O’Keefe or in the somber
tones of an 18th century naturalist.
Each participant will leave the session
with an artwork suitable for framing or
display. All materials will be provided and
refreshments will be served. This program
will be held in an accessible facility.
Don't throw that away! We can recycle,
reuse and change that into something fun
and easy for the winter holidays. During
this program you will learn how to make
gifts, decorations and cards using recycled
materials. Enjoy the winter by staying
warm and getting creative. A list of items
to bring will be provided one week prior
to the program. This program will take
In 1957, May Theilgaard Watts, a
naturalist at the Morton Arboretum in
Lisle, Illinois, wrote the enchanting book
Reading the Landscape. She wrote, “there
is good reading on the land... The records
are written in the forests, in fencerows,
in gardens, in tree rings.” Join us on
this fall hike to read the landscape of
Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve.
6-8:30 p.m.
December 4: 708.747.6320.
The Sandhill Crane
Experience
1-7 p.m.
Sandhill cranes are one of the most
primitive birds alive today. With a
wingspan of 5-7 feet, this bird cuts a
striking image while soaring high above
during its annual fall migration. The
program begins at the Plum Creek Nature
Center where we board a chartered bus
that takes us to Jasper Pulaski Fish and
Wildlife Area near Medaryville, Indiana.
Historically, large numbers of sandhill
cranes gather there to feed and rest
during their migration. Bring binoculars
and a camera for this unforgettable
experience. The viewing area is outdoors
and is accessible. Fees include travel
expenses, snacks and experienced guides.
Thursday, December 11
6:30-8 p.m.
The 18th century French fur traders
worked in teams called brigades to
transport their goods across the vast
wilderness of North America. Could
your family navigate the grand lakes
and mighty rivers? Could you barter
with the Potawatomi for supplies? Find
out how good of a brigade your family
is in a series of fun games and trivia
inside the Isle a la Cache Museum. The
Museum is a fully accessible facility.
Wednesday
Morning Walkers
Wednesdays,
October 1–December 17
9-10:30 a.m.
Registration required 2 days
before your first walk.
5-10 p.m.
The Sandhill Crane Experience
Voyageur Family
Fun Night
Free! All ages.
Twilight Tubing
1-3 p.m.
Free! All ages.
November 13: 708.747.6320.
Twelfth Month
Night Hike
Winter nights are especially magical
when the trees are bare and the air is crisp.
There are a lot of interesting things going
on at night that you can’t experience
in the daytime. Be sure to dress for the
weather. Participants should be prepared
to walk over 2 miles outdoors on natural
surface trails across uneven terrain. Bring
a donation to kick off our annual food
drive for the Rich Township Food Pantry.
Story of the
Landscape Hike
Celebrate the wonders of the garlic
bulb and the world of organic growing.
Come taste different varieties of garlic,
and gather information on garlic, its uses,
planting techniques, organic gardening
and garlic cooking. All garlic is organically
grown on Thorn Creek’s historic farm
and many refreshments include organic
garlic in them! Enjoy demonstrations on
garlic preparation and try your hand at
garlic braiding. Organic garlic bulbs of
more than 30 varieties will be for sale.
Parking is located in the field across from
Thorn Creek Nature Center. Bring the
entire family out for a day of fun! This
program is mainly held indoors in an
accessible facility and may include hiking
for approximately 2 miles on natural
Naturally, you’re looking for a craft
workshop and, naturally, you want to
make a holiday present for yourself
or a friend. The best of both worlds,
modern and historic, can be had
during this class! You can learn how
to make a traditional hemp-twine
bag, and keep the loom to make more
whenever you wish. Our instructor,
Susan Minor, is a historical re-enactor
whose passion is Native American crafts,
naturally! This program will be held
indoors in a fully accessible facility.
Free! (Tube rental $1/tube.) All ages.
With nothing but Moon glow to light
your way down the sled hill at Goodenow
Grove Nature Preserve, you won't want
to miss this special opportunity to tube
after hours. Inner tubes will be available
to rent for $1, with a valid driver’s license
or photo ID. You can also bring your own
sleds (no steel runners, snowboards or
steerables, please). A warm fire will await
you as you take a break to re-energize and
sip some hot chocolate. The Nature Center
offers hot chocolate for purchase, but hot
water will be available if you bring your
own packets and cups. This program is
weather dependent and may be canceled
if conditions are not favorable. Please call
708.946.2216 for program updates. This
program takes place outdoors and requires
an uphill climb on snow-covered turf.
Follow the forest’s seasonal changes,
enjoy light exercise and experience nature
first-hand on 2 miles of Thorn Creek
Woods Nature Preserve’s winding trails.
Trails can be wet or muddy, so please
wear sturdy shoes. Hiking is on natural
Woodland Carols:
Annual Food Drive
Noon-2 p.m.
Ages 12 or older; $10/person or
1 bag of groceries/person.
December 11: 708.747.6320.
Start your holiday season off right by
giving to others at Thorn Creek Nature
Center’s annual food drive music event.
Savor all-you-can-eat homemade soup
while listening to seasonal musical
selections by popular area performers.
Bring a bag of groceries and the program
fee will be waived! All donations and
proceeds will be given to the Rich
Township Food Pantry. This program will
be held indoors in an accessible facility. n
13
Musher Mania Returns for 21st Year
Save the date for the 21st annual “Musher
Mania!” Although January might seem a distant
thought, it will not be long before the holidays
are over and winter has settled in. The kids are
spending much of their
time indoors, storing up
youthful energy that begs
to be released. How about
coming out to this free
family outing that will
get them outside playing
with other children and
marveling at one of
nature’s most beautiful
breed of dogs, the Siberian
husky? The Forest
Preserve District offers
such an opportunity when
“Musher Mania” returns
on Saturday, January 10
from noon-4 p.m. at Monee Reservoir in Monee.
The Siberian Husky Club of Greater Chicago
is once again partnering with the District to
highlight the sport of “mushing,” or dog sled
racing. Come learn about Siberian huskies, the
Iditarod and the sport of mushing. You will then
get to see these highly trained dogs in action
during dog run demonstrations held throughout
the program.
And there’s more! Take part in a “human
mushing” activity and snowshoe races. Have
your picture taken with a sled dog, watch an
ice sculpture take shape, make s’mores over a
campfire and enjoy hot food and treats that
JAN
will be available for purchase.
Come inside a warming tent to thaw out
from the cold. Here you can talk to a husky
rescue group and pet a husky puppy.
“Musher Mania” will be presented with or
without snow cover on uneven, natural terrain. In
the event of no snow, mushing demonstrations
will be provided with wheeled sleds. Please leave
your own dogs at home.
Embrace the winter by attending one of the
District’s most popular annual programs. Your
children will be talking about their adventure for
days afterward. n
10
Music at McKinley
The three-piece cover band played classics from
the birth of rock ’n’ roll, and delivered three hours
of ’50s favorites from such artists as Chuck Berry,
Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins and, of
course, “the King” Elvis Presley.
This year’s concert concluded with a fireworks
show. For 20 minutes, bombs exploded in air
producing a myriad of reds, greens and whites
which danced across the night sky in a dazzling
display over the preserve. The idyllic setting – the pavilion surrounded by
towering trees, with the Des Plaines River flowing
by – is a special attraction of “Music at McKinley.”
The magnificent venue certainly plays a role in the
program’s year-by-year growth in attendance.
So, too, is the free admission. Assisted by
the program’s sponsors, all of this nighttime
entertainment drew families of grandparents,
parents and children to enjoy themselves
without cost.
For the past two years, Frank and Karen Norem
of Joliet rode their bikes along the I&M Canal
State Trail from their home in Joliet so they could
tour “Music at McKinley’s” car show. But this year
they drove so they could stay past sunset for the
music. Frank said when he heard there would be
“rockabilly” tunes, “I said, ‘I have to go to that!’”
Jay and Sylvia Smeets of Shorewood attended
the event for the first time this year.
14
“We’re here just to enjoy something different,
something new and the weather on a beautiful
night,” Sylvia said as she strolled through the car
show with her husband.
JULIE, Inc. was the concert and car show’s
title sponsor.
Others who generously supported “Music at
McKinley” were Bill Jacobs Auto Group; BMO
Harris Bank; Enbridge Energy; CITGO Lemont
Refinery; Saratoga Food Specialties; CARCARE
Collision Centers; Exelon Generation; ExxonMobil
Pipeline; TransCanada; Canadian National
Railway Company; Dollinger Family Farm; Darryl
A. Dupre, Inc.; I-55 Auto Salvage; Physicians
Immediate Care; Providence Bank; AT&T;
Kavanagh Grumley & Gorbold, LLC; Integrity
Restoration, Inc.; Voyager Media; Wight and
Company; Elite Rehabilitation Institute; and Three
Rivers Construction Alliance. n
Volunteer Spotlight
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
“A civilization flourishes when people plant trees
under whose shade they will never sit.” – Greek Proverb
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
A concern for the environment
brings many volunteers, staff and
other supporters to the Forest
Preserve District, and that is
especially true of this edition’s
“Volunteer Spotlight.” Richard
Wachenheim came to the District
more that 20 years ago with a
passion for education and the
preservation of natural areas. His
entire career and much of his
personal time have been devoted to
being a steward of the Earth.
Wachenheim was employed as a
crew leader in the District’s Natural
Resource Management section. He
also served as a volunteer liaison for
the District’s public and corporate
workdays, Eagle Scout projects and
group projects. He received the
District’s Lifetime Achievement
Award in April 2014, and retired
from the Forest Preserve in June.
While Wachenheim could have
retired to pursue personal goals,
he instead filled out a volunteer
Richard Wachenheim
application with the District and
went through the interview and
orientation process. When asked
why he wanted to volunteer, he
replied that the answer was simple:
He wanted to ensure that his more
than 20 years of work continues.
With the same determination
that propelled him to effectively
manage the Forest Preserve’s
Resource Management volunteers,
Wachenheim as a volunteer himself
will undoubtedly continue to assist
the District as a Regional Steward.
He already has spent many hours
as the volunteer steward at Alessio
Prairie, Lockport Prairie Nature
Preserve, Whalon Lake, Kankakee
Sands Preserve, Isle a la Cache and
sections of Old Plank Road Trail. He
also volunteers at select Resource
Management workdays.
For more information on the
Forest Preserve’s volunteer program,
call 815.722.7364. n
Volunteer at National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day
(NPLD) provides an opportunity for
volunteers to join together across
the nation and work towards the
common goal of improving our
public lands.
NPLD began in 1994 with three
federal agencies and 700 volunteers.
This year, approximately 120,000
volunteers are anticipated to
volunteer to improve 1,500 public
land sites – federal, state, city and
county lands – in all 50 states of
the nation.
All who participate in NPLD build
upon the magnificent and lasting
Resource Management Workdays
Feel the crisp autumn air. Fall is upon us. Before the weather changes
and winter beckons, enjoy a few more hours outdoors at a Resource
Management Workday. Volunteers at these workdays assist the Forest
Preserve to preserve and maintain Will County’s natural areas. They also
have an opportunity to meet some of the most caring people who believe
strongly in investing time and energy in preserving some of the most
beautiful ecosystems in the area.
Resource Management Workdays are held on Saturdays and Sundays from
8 a.m.-noon. A District representative is at each workday to coordinate the
day’s activities. Tools, gloves and water are provided. Please dress for the
weather. You may also want to pack a snack. Groups of 10 or more will want
to register by calling 708.479.2255. This ensures that there are enough tools
for everyone to participate. Workdays include brush cutting and removal. n
Sunday, October 5 Hickory Creek Preserve – Hickory
Creek Junction (Mokena)
Saturday, October 18 Hickory Creek Preserve – Hickory
Creek Barrens (New Lenox)
Sunday, October 26 Joliet Junior College (Joliet)
Sunday, November 16 Kankakee Sands Preserve – Shenk Grove (Braidwood)
Other Upcoming
Volunteer
Opportunities
Interested in assisting with District
events? Volunteers are needed for
the following opportunities:
Saturday, October 4
Cruise the Creek Bike Ride
and Fest
Hickory Creek Preserve – Hickory Creek
Barrens (New Lenox)
Noon-4 p.m.
Whalon Lake (Naperville)
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday, November 29 Hickory Creek Preserve – Brightway Lane (Mokena)
Saturday, December 13 Kankakee Sands Preserve – Shenk Grove (Braidwood)
Hickory Creek Preserve – Hickory
seeds will be planted in areas where
the brush has been cleared at the
workday. The amount of seed that
is collected during an event such as
this is equal to a month’s worth of
weekends for the District’s Resource
Management staff to collect!
“When people leave the
workday, we hope that they will
understand the value of restoration
management,” said Renee
Gauchat, the Forest Preserve’s
volunteer supervisor.
Participants will meet in the
parking lot of Isle a la Cache
Museum, located at 501 E. 135th
Street (Romeo Road), 0.5 mile east
of Route 53, in Romeoville.
All work tools will be provided.
Volunteers should bring leather
palm work gloves and a sack
lunch. A guided hike will follow the
day’s activities.
For more information and to
RSVP, call 815.722.7364 or e-mail
rgauchat@fpdwc.org. n
Howloween Hoopla
Saturday, November 22 Hickory Creek Preserve – Hickory
Sunday, December 14 legacy of the Civilian Conservation
Corps to improve publicly held
lands for the greater enjoyment and
enrichment of all Americans.
NPLD worksites can involve
all sorts of activities including
planting trees and flowers, building
or repairing trails and bridges,
removing invasive plants, collecting
native seeds, improving wildlife
habitat, restoring shorelines,
installing bird boxes, stabilizing
stream banks, painting picnic tables,
and more.
Volunteers can assist the Forest
Preserve District of Will County
at this year’s NPLD, to be held
Saturday, September 27. Work will
be performed at Isle a la Cache
Museum and Romeoville Prairie
Nature Preserve, both located in
Romeoville. The workday will last
from 8 a.m.-noon.
Volunteers are needed to cut and
stack non-native shrubs and to
collect native grass and forb seed
at the two preserves. Collected
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Musher Mania
Monee Reservoir (Monee)
Noon-4 p.m.
Call 815.722.7364 or e-mail
rgauchat@fpdwc.org to start the
volunteer process. n
15
Board of Commissioners
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
Mike Fricilone
Kenneth E. Harris
Suzanne Hart
Robert Howard
David A. Izzo
Charles E. Maher
Margo McDermed
Donald A. Moran
Walter G. Adamic
Steve Balich
Darren Bennefield
Reed Bible
Herbert Brooks, Jr.
Liz Collins
Mark Ferry
Ragan Freitag
PAID
James G. Moustis
Elizabeth J. Rice
Jacqueline Traynere
Tom Weigel
Denise E. Winfrey
Diane Zigrossi
Donald Gould – President
Joseph M. Babich – Vice President
Stephen M. Wilhelmi – Treasurer
Judy Ogalla – Secretary
Marcella M. DeMauro – Executive Director
JOLIET, ILLINOIS
PERMIT NO. 168
17540 W. Laraway Road
Joliet, Illinois 60433
Address Service Requested
The Citizen is published quarterly by the Forest Preserve
District of Will County. To receive this free publication,
call 815.727.8700. Photo credits: Alan Bulava, Cindy
Cain, Joel Craig, Barb Ferry, Karen Fonte, ForestWander,
Lyndsey Harn, Kessner Photography, Laura Kiran,
Jim Kloss, Glenn P. Knoblock, Lynn Kurczewski, Ron
Molk, Adam Oestmann, Bridgette O’Halloran, Judith
Wallace, Joe Wittenkeller
OCT
04
PREREGISTER
NOW
Saturday,
October 4
Noon-4 p.m.
Hickory Creek Preserve –
Hickory Creek Barrens,
New Lenox
Pre-register now for “Cruise the Creek
Bike Ride and Fest,” a family bike ride
hosted by the Forest Preserve District.
16
This all-ages, family program is free of charge.
• Children’s Activities
• 6-mile Bike Ride
• Petting Zoo
•Music
• Pumpkin Painting
•Inflatables
• Food for Purchase
•S’mores
The paved trail runs through terrain that includes scenic woodlands, wetlands and
prairie, and consists of some sidewalks and hilly terrain. All riders should have their
own bike, and are urged to wear safety helmets and to bring drinking water.
To pre-register, visit ReconnectWithNature.org or call 815.727.8700.
Hickory Creek Barrens is located on Schoolhouse Road, just north of Route 30, in
New Lenox. n

The Citizen Newsletter: Fall 2014

Transcription

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