Experience nature, right from the comfort of your own home, with our virtual program offerings. Visit this page for our updated content and follow us on social media @forestpreserve for the latest and greatest happenings! Join us and enjoy "Nature, Virtually Everywhere!"
NURTURED BY NATURE MOMENTS
NURTURED BY NATURE MOMENTS
NURTURED BY NATURE MOMENTS
The natural world is loaded with interesting learning opportunities, and the Forest Preserve District of Kane County has over 20,000 acres to explore! Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings in the District, and have some fun with Naturalist Josh as we highlight the wonderful ways to enjoy our open spaces.
Can you use your deduction skills to identify some amazing local animals? Our Naturalist will show you some skulls, fur and other animal evidence as clues and challenge you to figure out which Illinois animals we're highlighting. Submit your guesses and we'll reveal the winning answer on social media.
Have you heard about the wildly popular Forest Preserve District of Kane County seed harvests? Have you wondered what these involve? Watch this video to see how easy, fun and educational these weekly harvesting events can be!
We'll inspire you to use your artistic tendencies out in nature, using nature! In this virtual program, we'll share a few examples of artwork that you can make in your local forest preserves, without harvesting or damaging the natural habitat in the process.
Forces in our cosmos affect life here on Earth in more ways than you might imagine. We'll explore the impact of the sun and moon on the celestial bodies in our solar system. We'll even introduce some fun cosmic activities you can do in the comfort of your own home using common household items. Prepare to be mesmerized!
Open your eyes and hearts to the joys of the night! As a delegate of the International Dark-Sky Association, Adam Kreuzer is passionate about teaching about the beauty of dark skies and the ways we can protect the night from light pollution. Tune in to hear Adam explain the concept of light pollution, discuss the impact of light pollution on humans and wildlife, and explore with us how we can restore dark skies in our own communities.
Go on a virtual autumn walk through the beautiful Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve with Environmental Education Manager Barb McKittrick. Learn about how important woodlands are during this episode about "Trees and Their Leaves."
Have you ever looked at a giant of a tree, perhaps a big oak, and wondered what historical events it experienced during its lifetime? Some of these impressive trees are called "witness trees" and they have a special place in the history of Illinois. Surveyors in the early 1800s relied on witness, or "bearing," trees as landmarks for creating the earliest state land surveys and plat maps. During this webinar, we'll share the history of Illinois' witness trees and provide tools for you to discover witness trees in your own area!
Come explore the dynamic processes that shaped the great diversity of habitats in Illinois. This Zoom Webinar is a brief overview of a very complex topic, explained in terms that everyone can understand!
With over 100 properties, there's plenty to see and do in your Kane County forest preserves. Join a Naturalist as we explore the beauty and biodiversity of some of our favorite preserves during each episode of this virtual program series.
Can you "Guess this Preserve?" Check out the Forest Preserve District's social media pages on Jan. 14 to test your knowledge of our local natural areas. One of our Naturalists will share photos, facts, riddles and video clips to help solve the preserve mystery and submit your best guess. Find out if you are a true nature detective!
Join Environmental Education Manager Barb McKittrick for a travelogue about her backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail. Barb will present the history of the trail and the ecology of this beautiful part of the country.
Winter can be a challenging season. Ice, snow, and frigid temperatures will leave any hiker desperate for the comfort of a cozy fireplace. Our local wildlife do not have the same luxury, and have to adapt to the changing seasons in all manner of interesting ways. Tune in to learn about how their survival depends on adaptation!
Want to learn the history and process of maple tree tapping and syrup production but can't join one of our maple sugaring events in person? Jump into this virtual tour to explore the fascinating world of maple syrup.
Listen to the sounds of spring and discover who is behind the chorus that welcomes the new season.
Have you ever wondered what people did before the existence of grocery markets, hardware stores, restaurants and local pharmacies? In this program, we'll reveal many traditional uses of our local and native wildflowers and share with you tips on identifying specific species.
Hit the trails with your friends and family and experience our Kane County forest preserves like never before! This interactive, virtual treasure hunt will feature fun facts, hidden clues, and completion prizes. A guided video will lead you to several locations within LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, where you will learn about local ecology and then find secret markers to track your progress. When finished, be sure to stop by Creek Bend Nature Center to claim your reward! Fee: $5/group
Join us as we highlight the beautiful flowers that adorn the woodlands of Kane County. Together, let's explore the identifying features and interesting folklore that surround these colorful native species.
Take a trip back in time and learn all about the wonders of pioneer life. This virtual tour will showcase the historic Durant House, a prairie farmhouse constructed in 1843.
Tune in to see how you can build your very own butterfly feeder using common household items or with a simple-to-use kit available for purchase at Creek Bend Nature Center. Hang your completed project up at home to attract beautiful butterflies to your yard! (Optional kit costs $5).
Turn your kitchen scraps into garden gold! Come learn about the benefits of composting at home with worms. During this program, we'll take an in-depth look at the science behind vermicomposting and explore the role of red wriggler worms in home composting systems. You'll leave this class with all the knowledge necessary to build your own home vermicomposting bin.
With over 100 preserves encompassing more than 20,000 acres, there's plenty to see and do in our Kane County forest preserves! Join a naturalist as we explore the beauty and biodiversity of some of our favorite preserves during each episode of this virtual program series.
If you enjoy observing wild birds around your property, you probably know there are ways to increase your chances of spotting them. To learn more tricks and hints for attracting a wide diversity of different bird species, tune in and enjoy this video program. Forest Preserve District Naturalists will explain some of the best ways to entice local birds, as well as techniques for protecting and nurturing the feathered friends that visit your home.
When the sun goes down, the creatures of the night awake at our local forest preserves. The spooky myths and legends accompany these creepy crawlers are enough to give anyone goosebumps. Separate fact from fiction and learn about some of the creatures that go "bump in the night" during this virtual program.
Rarely seen, but very important to the local food chain, the owls of Kane County fill a unique niche in our forest preserves. Find out what species of owls we have locally and learn about their habits and behaviors in this virtual program.
Follow along and make a winter themed craft for you or your loved ones during this holiday season video.
During the winter months, we often see picturesque evergreens with their dark leaves shrouded in snow, but did you know that some conebearing trees are actually edible? You're invited to learn about the many flavors of our beloved regional conifers.
Tune in to learn about the various types of animal signs you can discover while exploring Kane County trails and natural areas. A Forest Preserve District naturalist will teach you how to identify animal tracks, and to hone your observational skills in order to recognize the subtle clues that animals leave behind.
With names like Plain Pocketbook and White Heelsplitter, mussels are mysterious and often misunderstood creatures. Learn about the life cycle and ecology of these highly threatened species and our District's collaborative efforts with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's Urban Stream Research Center to propagate, rear and release imperiled and vulnerable mussel species into the Fox River watershed.
Cuteness fills the preserves every spring as a new generation of wildlife is born. Learn about the animal babies that make their homes in Kane County during this adorable video post.
Sit back, relax and enjoy a virtual tour through one of the Forest Preserve District's hidden gems. This property covers over 1,000 acres in the northern part of the county - there's quite a lot to explore!
The Kane County Forest Preserve District encompasses more than 23,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands and prairies across nearly 100 properties. How long will it take you to figure out which preserve is featured in this virtual, video presentation?
Did you know that Illinois is home to eight species of owls? Learn about the unique markings, habitats and lifestyles that help identify each of these beautiful birds of prey. After seeing the special adaptations and hearing the amazing and varied calls of our local owls, you'll have a new appreciation for these nocturnal birds.
Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth. Tag along with a naturalist to discover the features that all insects have in common, and the important roles that insects play in nature.
It's time for another episode of "Guess this Preserve!" Can you figure out where we were hiking in this video?
There's an abundance of life year-round in our forest preserves, even in the dead of winter. In this video, watch the assembly of a beaver dam in real-time over the past few weeks.
Can you guess where we've been hiking in this video?
There is an abundance of life in our forest preserves all year 'round - especially as winter thaws into spring! Enjoy the changing season from the comfort of your own home with this digital experience.
Join Naturalist Amber to learn about the magic of seed dispersal.
The Kane County Forest Preserve District encompasses more than 23,000 acres of woodlands, wetland and prairies across nearly 100 properties. How long will it take you to figure out which preserve is featured in this virtual, video presentation?
With an estimated 500,000 different species, moths are among the most diverse organisms on Earth! National Moth Week was created to celebrate the beauty, life cycles, and habitats of moths. Learn more about moths by watching this video.
From forest bathing to bird watching, being in nature has been proven to have positive health effects. Scientists have learned that time spent in nature can decrease stress, blood pressure, mental fatigue and even insomnia. Join us as we take a walk in the woods and utilize our senses to explore nature and feel 'present.' Then take your own hike to drink in nature's healing powers.
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County encompasses more than 23,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands and prairies across nearly 100 properties. How long will it take you to figure out which preserve is featured in this virtual, video presentation?
If you haven't been to LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve lately, you're in for a big surprise! Fresh on the heels of a new Tallgrass Prairie Adventure exhibit within Creek Bend Nature Center, we've added nearly two miles of trails. Soon, they'll be dotted with interpretive signs that explain the diversity of ecosystems surrounding the nature center. Join along as our naturalist rambles the trails to show you a maple sugar bush, a wet meadow, an oak barrens -- and many other vibrant habitats.
Skip the trip to the big-box craft supply stores and learn how to use nature-found materials to create unique and eco-friendly home and gift decor.
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County encompasses more than 23,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands and prairies across nearly 100 properties. How long will it take you to figure out which preserve is featured?
Nature offers something for all ages! Our Little Saplings series is geared for ages 3-5. If you have a little one at home that is curious about ecology, check out this video to see if Little Saplings is right for them.
Kane County boasts a variety of native and non-native evergreen tree species that add a little pop of color to our winter landscape. Learn about these cone-bearing trees and the specific features that can be used to identify different evergreen species.
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County encompasses more than 23,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands and prairies across nearly 100 properties. How long will it take you to figure out which preserve is featured?
Curious about Forest Preserve District summer camps? Here's a sneak peek into all the fun that our "Week in the Woods" has to offer!
