Nature Programs for Family

John J. Hoscheit, President
Monica A. Meyers, Executive Director

For Information:
630-232-5980 or forestpreserve@kaneforest.com
For Reservations:
630-232-1242 ( Mon-Fri / 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM )

PRESERVES OPEN 365 DAYS / Sunrise - Sunset

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.

Public Meeting Notice

The public is invited to Creek Bend Nature Center at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve on May 15 from 4-6 p.m. to learn about plans for the facility and surrounding area. View the notice, here.

2013-14 Budget

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

Temporary Closures

Due to flooding, the following areas remain closed as of 5/6: the back/south end of Buffalo Park FP; all trails in Oakhurst FP; the Fox River Trail between Jon J. Duerr FP & County Park in South Elgin; and the River Bend Trail. We will update here and on Facebook, as conditions improve.

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.

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Registration

Children

Family

Adults/Learn from the Experts

Nature Programs for Family

All ages are welcome to attend family programs unless an age limit is specified. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Organized groups must schedule a separate tour for their group.

Bat Watch!

Bats are talkative creatures, but our ears can’t hear them. Unless, of course, we use a super special “Bat Detector!” This device picks up the bats’ “clicks” used in echolocation. We’ll use the bat detector to locate bats and follow their movements. We’ll also play some bat games and learn about bat ecology. Advance registration is required.

Friday, Aug. 16; 7:45 – 9 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., Saint Charles
Fee: $1/person; $4 family of four or more

Create Your Own Fairy Garden

Families are invited to create their own fairy garden at this interactive workshop. Ranger Jeff Perez of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County will lead the group with an introduction to this popular form of gardening, followed by instruction on how to create your own garden. Basic supplies will be provided to get you started. You are welcome to bring any embellishments to add to your creation. Advance registration is required.

Saturday, June 15; 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., Saint Charles

Fee: $10/garden kit

Creek Bend Nature Center - Grand Opening Celebration

Join us as we celebrate the official grand opening of Creek Bend Nature Center on Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Forest Preserve District of Kane County is proud to show-off our new building, home of our Nature Center, Environmental Education department offices, and a beautiful new rental facility.

To celebrate the official grand opening of Creek Bend Nature Center, stop by June 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to view interactive exhibits showcasing the nature of Kane County. We’re also offering tours of the facility, nature hikes, crafts, carriage rides through the preserve, refreshments and a special noon concert by local artist Jim Gill — and it’s all free! Be sure to bring your own blanket or lawn chair for the concert, as it will be on the back lawn.

While RSVPs for the grand opening celebration aren’t mandatory, they will help us to better plan. Call 847-741-8350 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com to let us know how many are in your group.

Saturday, June 1; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Creek Bend Nature Center

LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve

37W700 Dean St., Saint Charles

FREE

Damsels, Dragons and Darners

Ever hunt for dragons? Ever seen a beautiful damsel? Wonder what a darner is? Learn all about damselflies, dragonflies and darners on this guided hike. We’ll “hunt” for these awesome insects in their native habitat and observe some specimens up close. Advance registration is required.

Saturday, July 27; 10-11 a.m.
Pingree Grove Forest Preserve
14N187 US Rte. 20, Pingree Grove
FREE

Homeschool Explorations

This program series is specially designed for home school families with children ages 5-10 although all ages are welcome. Each month we cover a new topic at a different forest preserve, with lots of hands-on activities and plenty of fun. Space is limited for this popular program. Please call ahead to reserve your spot. Advance registration is required.

Snakes and Turtles
Thursday, May 30; 10-11:30 a.m.
Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve
35W003 IL-Rte. 31, South Elgin
Fee: $2/person or $8/family of 4 or more

Passport to Adventure

Take an adventure at area museums this summer, with the Passport to Adventure program. Participating sites in the Forest Preserve District include Creek Bend Nature Center, Durant House Museum and Pioneer Sholes School at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in Saint Charles; and the Fabyan Villa Museum in Geneva. The passport program encourages children and their parents to visit a variety of history, nature, science and art museums to explore the people, events and environment of the area. Children ages 4 through 12 will experience the world around them through exhibits and activities at each site they visit. Passports are available in late May at the Geneva and Saint Charles Public Libraries. More information about the program is available at Creek Bend Nature Center at 847-741-8350.

Prairie Butterflies

We’ll search the prairie at the Dick Young Forest Preserve for butterflies of all kinds. The Pearl Crescent, Red Admiral and Tiger Swallowtail are just a few species that we may see. We’ll discuss the important role butterflies play in our ecosystem, and the problems that some of them are currently facing. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes since we may travel off trail. Advance registration is required.

Saturday, July 6; 11 a.m. – noon
Dick Young Forest Preserve
(Main Street entrance)
39W115 Main St., Batavia
FREE

The Prairie Landscape: Past, Present and Future

Stroll along the prairie trail amidst a profusion of colorful flowers and grasses. During this naturalist-guided walk, you’ll learn to identify some of the plants and animals. We’ll see examples of prairie restoration and discuss the importance of this imperiled ecosystem. Registration is not required for The Prairie Landscape.

Sunday, Aug. 25; 2-3 p.m.
Meet at the Durant House Museum
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., Saint Charles
FREE

Wild about Art!

Grandparents, moms, dads, kids and cousins are invited to make masterpieces together in this family art activity. Based on the technique made famous by British artist Andy Goldworthy, we’ll gather leaves, stones, moss, twigs and other treasures from nature to create our art. There are no electronic media involved in this unplugged version of art! Advance registration is required.

Sunday, June 23; 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., Saint Charles
Fee: $1/person; $4/family of 4 or more