Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. To register for programs, use our Online Program Registration.
If you have any questions, call Creek Bend Nature Center at 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com. Thank you!
Credit cards can only be accepted for online registrations. When registering via phone or email, required fees must be paid at the program with cash or check payable to the Forest Preserve District of Kane County unless otherwise noted. Checks can be mailed to:
Creek Bend Nature Center
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St.
St. Charles, IL 60175
Programs are free unless otherwise indicated. Fee assistance is available upon request.
Most of our programs involve outdoor activities such as walking on trails. Please wear closed-toe shoes or boots (no sandals!) and long pants.
Severe weather cancels most programs. Call 630-444-3190 for program updates and cancellation announcements.
Please call us if you need to cancel, so that we may contact others on our wait list.
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County (FPDKC) is committed to conducting its programs and activities in a safe manner and holds the safety of participants in high regard. The FPDKC continually strives to reduce risks and insists that all participants follow safety rules and instructions that are designed to protect the participant's safety. All registrants will be asked to sign a waiver and release.
By registering for a program, you consent to and authorize the use of any photographs and other audiovisual materials for promotional purposes, including printed material, educational activities, exhibitions, or for any other use for the benefit of the District.
Please let us know at least two weeks in advance by calling the program manager at 630-444-3191. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service or activity of the District, should contact the ADA Coordinator at Voice: 630-444-3950 or 630-232-5980, TTY Relay: 800-526-0844, email at ada@kaneforest.com or mail at 1996 S. Kirk Rd., Ste. 320, Geneva, IL 60134, as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours before the scheduled event.
Have you attended a recent nature program by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County? Tell us how we did. Fill-out our online Nature Program Evaluation. There, you can rate our performance as well as our facilities, suggest future program topics, subscribe to The TreeLine newsletter, and more.
Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. To register for programs, use our Online Program Registration.
If you have any questions, call Creek Bend Nature Center at 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com. Thank you!
Join a librarian from the St. Charles Public Library for read-aloud stories, finger plays, songs, and more during this fun program for children from infancy through age 5. If the weather is mild, we'll take the activities outdoors! Stay and enjoy the interactive exhibits in the Nature Center following the program and grab a take-home craft to continue the fun at your own house.
Creek Bend Nature Center
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; no registration needed.
In this monthly program, geared for 3-5 year olds, we'll explore the natural world through a variety of activities specific to the theme of the month. Sessions include a combination of stories, nature hikes, songs, games, or crafts. A parent or caregiver must accompany child.
Thursday, Feb. 20; 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. "Peek-a-Boo Groundhog!"
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $5/child; advance registration required.
Thursday, March 20; 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. "Burrowing Badgers"
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $5/child; advance registration required.
Thursday, April 17; 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. "Muskrat Mania"
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $5/child; advance registration required.
Thursday, May 15; 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. "Damsels to Dragons"
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $5/child; advance registration required.
Explore woodland wonders, get your feet wet in local streams, and learn new skills during these five-day nature camps, from 9 a.m. - Noon. Naturalists will lead hikes, activities, games and nature-based crafts on a different nature theme, each day. Summer camp is for two age groups: (1) Children entering 1st through 5th grades and (2) Children entering 5th through 8th grades. Camp fee is $149/child/camp. To register, visit www.kaneforest.com/register, call 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com. Detailed camp information will be provided upon registration.
June 9 to June 13; Grades 1st - 5th; 9 a.m. - Noon; "Woodland Wonders"
Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls
40W095 Freeman Rd., Gilberts
Fee: $149/child; advance registration required.
June 16 to June 20; Grades 1st - 5th; 9 a.m. - Noon; "STEAM in Nature"
Burnidge Forest Preserve
14N035 Coombs Rd., Elgin
Fee: $149/child; advance registration required.
June 23 to June 27; Grades 1st - 5th; 9 a.m. - Noon; "Art in Nature"
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $149/child; advance registration required.
July 7 to July 11; Grades 1st - 5th; 9 a.m. - Noon; "Fun & Fit in Nature"
Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve
41W600 Hughes Rd., Elburn
Fee: $149/child; advance registration required.
July 14 to July 18; Grades 5th - 8th; 9 a.m. - Noon; "Tools of the Trade"
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $149/child; advance registration required.
July 21 to July 25; Grades 1st - 5th; 9 a.m. - Noon; "Tracking & Survival"
Oakhurst Forest Preserve
1680 Fifth Ave., Aurora
Fee: $149/child; advance registration required.
Let us host a Woodland Birthday party for your child! We'll take care of the planning, entertainment and clean-up! Woodland Birthday Parties feature: An outdoor guided hike led by naturalists; a campfire; unique nature-themed party favors; use of Creek Bend Nature Center. Parties are available year-round! The fee is $100 for Kane County residents; $125 for out-of-county residents. Rate includes a party for 15 children; for more than 15 children, there will be an additional $5 per child. Call 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com for more information or to book your Woodland Birthday Party today!
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.
Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. To register for programs, use our Online Program Registration.
If you have any questions, call Creek Bend Nature Center at 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com. Thank you!
YARN ART SOCIAL CIRCLE
Join Naturalist Erica for a monthly circle of conversation over yarn art. Bring your own knit, crochet, or other yarn art project to work within a group of like-minded yarn enthusiasts. Share tips and patterns with others while picking up pointers and ideas from friends old and new. Yarn crafters of all skill levels are welcome. Register for one class or the entire year! Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, Feb. 8; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; advance registration required.
Saturday, March 8; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; advance registration required.
Saturday, April 5; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; advance registration required.
Saturday, May 3; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; advance registration required.
Bird Watching Walks
Enjoy the changing seasons as we hike, look and listen for the birds inhabiting our forest preserves. District naturalists will cover basic bird-identification skills and share a few interesting stories along the way.
Friday, Feb. 14; 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Fox River Bluff West Forest Preserve
5N753 IL Rte. 31, St. Charles
FREE; advance registration is required.
Sunday, March 30; 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Grunwald Farms Forest Preserve
02S035 Lorang Rd., Elburn
FREE; advance registration is required.
Friday, April 18; 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Helm Woods Forest Preserve
157 Helm Rd., Barrington Hills
FREE; advance registration is required.
Friday, May 16; 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve
13N240 Engel Rd., Burlington
FREE; advance registration is required.
snowshoe adventure
Don't let a little snow stop you from getting out enjoying nature! If you've never snowshoed, join us to learn the basic skills needed to be comfortable and competent. After mastering skills like stride length, heel-toe-step, and climbing over obstacles, we'll hit the trail for a naturalist-guided hike through the winter wonderland. Attend one or all three sessions! Ages 8 and above.
Sunday, Feb. 2; 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $25/person; advance registration required.
Over the past 100 years, regional coyotes have generated a long and interesting story. Do you know how Illinois' coyote populations have changed over the years? Or what Kane County coyotes have done to successfully survive our changing landscape? Find answers to these questions and more as we hike through the winter prairie looking for coyotes and discovering their secrets.
Sunday, Feb. 9; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Fitchie Creek Forest Preserve
39W933 Russell Rd., Elgin
FREE; advance registration required.
ecolab: wet and wild experiments
Step into the Creek Bend Nature Center Laboratory as we investigate the properties and abilities of water. Participants will conduct a series of wild experiments that test their knowledge of water and quite possibly get them a little wet! Our final experiment will include making a "lava lamp" to take home. Ages 10 and above.
Sunday, Feb. 16; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $5/person; advance registration required.
after hours letterboxing
Get into the preserve after-hours to embark on a fun and unique new activity. Letterboxing is a recreational hobby that pre-dates the geocaching era. Instead of using GPS coordinates, we will read a set of natural-feature clues that describe our surroundings and guide us to hidden letterboxes. Attendees will receive their own starter letterboxing kit. Please be sure to register all participants so there are enough kits for everyone. Ages 7 and above.
Thursday, Feb. 27; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Hampshire Forest Preserve
44W780 Allen Rd., Hampshire
Fee: $2/person; advance registration required.
Maple Sugaring Days
It's maple sugaring time! Come to Creek Bend Nature Center to explore the art, science, and folklore of the "sugar bush." Learn how to identify and tap a maple tree and try your hand at drilling and setting a tap. We'll simmer sap over an open fire and watch as it thickens to syrup. Relax with a mug of steaming hot cocoa and enjoy ice cream with a drizzle of syrup in the Maple Cafe. After a day of fun, purchase some locally-sourced maple syrup to take home with you. NEW this year: Savor under the heated beer tent and enjoy our exclusive "Maple Replay" maple stout. Created in honor of the Forest Preserve District's 100th anniversary, this beer is custom-crafted with Funks Grove maple syrup by our friends at Riverlands Brewing Company. No registration required.
Saturday, March 1; 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. & Sunday, March 2; 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE admission. No registration required.
community science series
Community science is research conducted by amateur scientists - people just like you! Community scientists learn more about the world around them while having a real impact on local land management decisions and global-scale ecology solutions. We support a number of programs by conducting training classes to get you started collecting and submitting real-world data to conservation organizations.
Ephemerals are woodland plants that emerge early in spring, flowering before the trees leaf out. From March 1 - May 31, help track when and where spring ephemerals are blooming anywhere in Kane County (a forest preserve, a park, or your own back yard.) When you see a woodland wildflower, snap a photo and submit your observation on the free iNaturalist app under our project, Kane County, IL: Spring 2025 Ephemerals. We'll help you learn about different flower species with plant identification signs posted along woodland walks in the following three forest preserves. No registration required.
Saturday, March 1 - Sunday, May 31
Burnidge Forest Preserve
14N035 Coombs Rd., Elgin
FREE
Saturday, March 1 - Sunday, May 31
Bliss Woods Forest Preserve
5S660 Bliss Rd., Sugar Grove
FREE
Saturday, March 1 - Sunday, May 31
Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve
41W600 Hughes Rd., Elburn
FREE
Monitors learn to identify and report on the unique calls of the 13 species of frogs and toads that occur in the Chicago region. After attending a virtual educational workshop, they listen for frogs on three evenings during the spring. Survey data provides important information that scientists and land managers use to conduct amphibian-friendly management and research projects. Join us at the Kane County training session to get started on your adventure! Ages 16 and above.
Dates and workshop details can be found at: https://frogsurvey.org/?page_id=23
Starting as a competition between the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences, the City Nature Challenge is a global community science bio-blitz. This four-day event challenges residents to photo-document plants and animals in their community, from April 25 - May 4, in order to understand and appreciate urban biodiversity. Join us the first day of the event to learn how the challenge works and to use the iNaturalist app to report your own data. We'll then explore Rutland Forest Preserve together to get you started as a bioblitz scientist! If you would like to enter your own observations, download the free iNaturalist app prior to the program.
Friday, April 25; 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Rutland Forest Preserve
41W230 Big Timber Rd., Hampshire
FREE
geocaching Gold
The leprechaun has taken off with our pot of gold and we must track him down to get it back before St. Patrick's Day! Luckily, we have the coordinates to his last known position. We'll begin our search with a brief tutorial on the use of GPS units (which our Natrualist will provide, or bring your own) and then you'll be off on a geocaching-like mission to track down the stolen pot of gold. Please register every person attending the program.
Sunday, March 16; 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE
where it all began series
In this centennial anniversary year for the Forest Preserve District, we explore the unique cultural and natural history of one of our first land holdings - Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve. Come and celebrate with a District naturalist while gaining a different perspective and a new level of appreciation for this historic site.
With buds bursting, frogs calling, flowers blooming, and insects buzzing - springtime is a feast for the senses! This family-friendly guided hike will highlight some of the exciting changes happening in our woodlands at this time of year.
Friday, March 21; 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve
41W600 Hughes Rd., Elburn
FREE
Phenology is the study of timing and patterns of plant and animal seasonal activities. We'll show you how to closely observe natural life cycles and gather phenology data in your own yard, as well as how to contribute your observations to Nature's Notebook, an online community science phenology project. Along the way, we'll explain the changes in the seasonal patterns of Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve over the years.
Saturday, April 5; 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve
41W600 Hughes Rd., Elburn
FREE
spring break ecolab: macro-mania investigation!
What life teems beneath the surface of the water? Macroinvertebrates, for one! These tiny aquatic organisms, including insects and crustaceans, tell a mighty story about the health of our water ecosystems. Become a "forensic investigator" of waterway health by collecting macroinvertebrate specimens band bringing them to our "science lab" for microscopic examination. After identifying our collected creatures, we'll be able to "solve the case" of the unknown water quality. Ages 8 and above.
Thursday, April 3; 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE
earth day celebration
Calling all volunteers! Join us for a shrub planting in honor of Earth Day. We'll have giveaways, a naturalist-guided hike, environmental education, and a Traveling Science Center! No registration required.
Saturday, April 26; 10:00 a.m. sharp
Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls
40W095 Freeman Rd., Gilberts
FREE
mother's day wildflower walk
Celebrate motherhood and mothers as we embark on a wildflower discovery walk at a local forest preserve! Adults will enjoy intriguing stories about the various wildflowers, while children and children-at-heart will relish a wildflower scavenger hunt. Bring the whole family out for this stroll through the beautiful natural landscape!
Sunday, May 11; 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Bliss Woods Forest Preserve
5S660 Bliss Rd., Sugar Grove
FREE
fly-fishing and watershed ecology series
In conjunction with our traveling exhibit at Creek Bend Nature Center, "Time Flies: A Centennial Celebration" - curated in honor of the District's 100-year anniversary, we offer a complement of hands-on, watershed-themed education programs for the whole family to enjoy. After each of the programs, head inside the nature center to explore the new exhibit!
Dip your toes in the water and enjoy a naturalist-guided exploration of Ferson Creek. Fish, frogs, and water striders are just a few of the cool creatures we'll find. Wear shorts and bring an extra pair of shoes for wading. Ages 5 and above; adults must accompany children in the water.
Friday, May 9; 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE
Animals that live both in the water and on land are very unique and interesting creatures! A naturalist will introduce you to the amphibians that call Illinois home and explain their special adaptions as we explore the pond and creek for frogs, toads, and salamanders.
Friday, May 16; 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE
We all live in a watershed. What each of us does in our homes and communities impacts our neighbors and the animals that depend on aquatic habitats to survive. Join a District naturalist for a creek exploration walk to investigate the health of the waterway and to learn more about your Fox River Watershed. Wear shorts and bring an extra pair of shoes for wading. Ages 5 and above; adults must accompany children in the water.
Sunday, May 18; 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE
Learn the art and science of fly tying in these free introductory workshops! Instructors from Oak Brook Trout Unlimited will provide all the equipment and materials you need to design and create the perfect fly for your next fishing adventure. Register for one session only. Ages 16 and above.
Thursday, April 17; 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE
Thursday, April 24; 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE
Thursday, May 1; 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE
Thursday, May 22; 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE
Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. To register for programs, use our Online Program Registration.
If you have any questions, call Creek Bend Nature Center at 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com. Thank you!
Seniors are invited to join District naturalists each month to explore a different preserve and learn about the natural and cultural history surrounding the land. Dress for the weather - these outdoor programs celebrate the change in seasonal surroundings! The February program will go back to the outdoor stroll.* No registration required for this free program.
Thursday, Feb. 6; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; donations accepted; no registration needed.
Thursday, March 6; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Hampshire Forest Preserve
44W780 Allen Rd., Hampshire
FREE; donations accepted; no registration needed.
Thursday, April 3; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Bliss Woods Forest Preserve
5S660 Bliss Rd., Sugar Grove
FREE; donations accepted; no registration needed.
Thursday, May 1; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve
42W855 Bahr Rd., Hampshire
FREE; donations accepted; no registration needed.
NURTURED BY NATURE
Experience the healing effects of nature. Studies show that time outdoors can relieve stress, boost your immune system, improve sleep, and contribute to overall good health. During this new monthly series, we'll incorporate gentle stretching, deep breathing, and a focus on awareness during these hikes designed to nurture the mind, body, and spirit. This program is for ages 18 and above.
Sunday, Feb. 23; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Burnidge Forest Preserve
14N035 Coombs Rd., Elgin
FREE; advance registration required.
Sunday, March 23; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls
40W095 Freeman Rd., Gilberts
FREE; advance registration required.
Sunday, April 20; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Kenyon Farm Forest Preserve
8N700 Barry Rd., South Elgin
FREE; advance registration required.
Sunday, May 18; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve
41W600 Hughes Rd., Elburn
FREE; advance registration required.
Get your 10,000 steps in during these invigorating naturalist-led hikes. This monthly program is designed for those who like active hiking all year long. We visit different preserves each month. The Naturalist will stop occasionally to interpret the ecology of the preserve as we walk - but the main goal is to cover ground! This program is for ages 18 and above.
Thursday, Feb. 27; 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Schweitzer Forest Preserve
16N690 Sleepy Hollow Rd., West Dundee
FREE; advance registration required.
Thursday, March 20; 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Hannaford Woods Forest Preserve
5S002 Merrill Rd., Sugar Grove
FREE; advance registration required.
Thursday, April 17; 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve
42W855 Bahr Rd., Hampshire
FREE; advance registration required.
Thursday, May 8; 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve
35W076 Villa Maria Rd., St. Charles
FREE; advance registration required.
learn to kayak
Our 2025 kayaking series begins with a beginner's lake-based paddling skills class. Get dry-land instruction on basic kayaking techniques from an experienced instructor and then hit the water to practice and expand upon these skills. Boaters must be 16 years or older and able to hold breathe under water while wearing a properly fitted life jacket, independently turn from a face down to a face-up position keeping head above water, effectively communicate with the instructor and other participants, and manage all mobility and personal care independently or with the assistance of a companion.
Saturday, May 31; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Oakhurst Forest Preserve
1680 Fifth Ave., Aurora
Fee: $69/person (includes use of kayak, personal flotation device and paddle)
Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. To register for programs, use our Online Program Registration. For discount Kane County Certified Naturalist registrants, please call 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com. If you have any questions, call Creek Bend Nature Center at 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com.
Learn from the experts programs
These classes about local ecology are taught by experts in the field. This award-winning program series is co-sponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, the St. Charles Park District, and the Geneva Park District. These programs are for ages 18 and above
what once was...extirpated and extinct animals of kane county
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County has changed quite a bit in the last 100 years, and so has the wildlife community inhabiting it. Join District Naturalists for a hands-on discussion detailing the colorful creatures that were once abundant in our region. We'll highlight modern conservation efforts aimed at reintroducing some animals in an effort to recover their populations. This program will include both indoor and field portions; dress for the weather.
Saturday, Feb. 1; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $10/person; advance registration required.
winter tree identification
During this class, you'll learn how to identify trees without leaves. Environmental Education Manager Barb McKittrick will provide an introduction indoors, followed by a hike in the woods. We'll examine bark, branches, twigs, leaf scars and buds and use these for identification.
Saturday, Feb. 22; 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $10/person; advance registration required.
Learn about the rise and fall of Kane County's only native ungulate over the 100 years of our Forest Preserve system, going from near extinction to overpopulation. Get to know the most iconic of the woodland mammals as we explore its place in our ecosystems and its natural life cycle. We'll conclude the program by explaining how forest preserve agencies currently manage deer populations.
Thursday, March 6; 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $10/person; advance registration required.
short stories from the mazon creek fossils of northeastern illinois
Only 50 miles southeast of Chicago lies the home of Mazon Creek fossils. More than any fossil site in the world, Mazon Creek has painted us a complete picture of prehistoric life and environment. Examples of Mazon Creek fossils can be found in all major natural history museums. Jack Wittry, Collections Associate Science and Education at the Field Museum of Chicago and Research Fellow in the Department of Earth Science at Northeastern Illinois University, will share stories of specimens preserved in Mazon Creek fossil beds, including algae, 150-foot tree-like plants, jellyfish, 87 species of insects, and the planet's earliest reptiles. For the strong of heart, he will describe the Tully Monster, our state fossil, and display the largest known Tully Monster fossil. Jack will also share several less fearsome Mazon Creek fossils.
Saturday, March 15; 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Barbara Belding Lodge at Brewster Creek Forest Preserve
6N921 IL Rte. 25, St. Charles
Fee: $10/person; advance registration required.
Embark on a naturalist-guided stroll through the beautiful woodlands in search of emerging spring wildflowers. Each week, new flora comes and goes and we only get to see our native flowers for a short time, so now is the time to learn botanical identification techniques along with interesting historical uses of native woodland flowers.
Sunday, April 13; 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve
41W600 Hughes Rd., Elburn
Fee: $10/person; advance registration required.
Robert Ridgway: Wehn amateur bird watching became a rigourous science
Join Illinois' most pre-eminent bird man as he recalls the history of the Audubon Society and the evolution of bird watching as it grew from a hobby to a scientific discipline. Internationally-acclaimed storyteller Brian "Fox" Ellis "becomes" Robert Ridgway in the this one-man, first-person performance of Ridgway's wilderness travels, his life-long work at the Smithsonian Institution, his birding trips into Central American, and his journey across Alaska. A dynamic indoor presentation, equal parts storytelling and discussion, will focus on birds, preserving habitat, and becoming a birding citizen scientist. The second half of the program will involve caravanning to Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve to join Ridgway and a District naturalist for a storytelling bird walk.
Sunday, April 27; 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Begin at Barbara Belding Lodge at Brewster Creek Forest Preserve
6N921 IL Rte. 25, St. Charles
FREE
fishing the fox river
Tom Stewart, a 3rd generation fisherman that grew up along the Fox River in Elgin, will share his knowledge about the sport of fishing and secrets for successfully fishing the Fox River. After spending 30 years with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County as a Senior Ranger, Tom is currently the President of the Elgin Chapter of the Izaak Walton League - a conservation organization that promotes outdoor recreation and wise stewardship of the land. Tom will highlight conservation ethics, discuss the tackle needed in various situation and point out the best public access locations. Discover how you and your family can enjoy a day of fishing along the fabulous Fox River!
Saturday, May 10; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $10/person