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.
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, 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.
Thursday, June 19; 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. "Puddles & Ponds"
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $5/child; advance registration required.
Thursday, July 17; 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. "Woodland Wonders"
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $5/child; advance registration required.
Thursday, Aug. 21; 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. "Creek Exploration"
Creek Bend Nature Center/LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
Fee: $5/child; advance registration required.
Get out on local lakes with a professional kayak fishing instructor from Chi-Yak Adventures. Using water crafts specifically designed for anglers, you’re sure to get into secret spots not reachable from shore. Whether you are looking to learn the skills involved in fishing from a watercraft or to pick up a few pointers for improving your angling skills, this is the program for you! Take one, two, or all three sessions. We will provide the paddle kayak, safety equipment, kayaking instruction and fishing gear required to get you out on the water safely and catching fish effectively! Bring your own tackle box, water, sunscreen and a snack. We require registration at least 1 week prior to the program. For youth entering grades 6-12.
Thursday, July 17; 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Oakhurst Forest Preserve
1680 Fifth Ave., Aurora
Fee: $99/person
Tuesday, July 22; 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Grunwald Farms Forest Preserve
02S035 Lorang Rd., Elburn
Fee: $99/person
Tuesday, Aug. 5; 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Big Rock Forest Preserve
46W072 Jericho Rd., Big Rock
Fee: $99/person
summer camps
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" - AT CAPACITY
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" - AT CAPACITY
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, May 3; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Creek Bend Nature Center
37W700 Dean St., St. Charles
FREE; advance registration required.
Saturday, July 26; 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Barbara Belding Lodge at Brewster Creek Forest Preserve
6N921 IL Rte. 25, St. Charles
FREE; advance registration required.
Saturday, Aug. 23; 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Barbara Belding Lodge at Brewster Creek Forest Preserve
6N921 IL Rte. 25, 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, 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.
Friday, June 6; 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Rutland Forest Preserve
41W230 Big Timber Rd., Hampshire
FREE; advance registration is required.
Saturday, July 19; 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Lake Run Forest Preserve
40W255 Tanner Rd., Sugar Grove
FREE; advance registration is required.
Sunday, Aug. 17; 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Burnidge Forest Preserve
14N035 Coombs Rd., Elgin
FREE; advance registration is 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
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
Join the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Fishing Program for evenings of fishing fun at Lake Patterson! Instructors will teach participants basic angling skills including casting, knot tying and fish identification, while demonstrating ethical angling practices. Participants can bring their own equipment or borrow loaner tackle and rods while supplies last. Illinois fishing regulations and site-specific rules will apply. No registration required.
Wednesday, June 4; 5 – 7 p.m.What does a Monarch caterpillar look like? Why do butterflies group around puddles? What happens to butterflies in winter? On this family butterfly hike, our naturalist will lead you on a search for butterflies and demonstrate ways to identify them. During the walk, we'll also discuss the habits and life cycles of our native butterfly species.
Friday, June 13; 1 – 2 p.m.Explore the wonders of luminescence after dark! Our naturalist will explain the different types of luminescence we encounter in our day-to-day lives then we’ll hit the trail to discover bioluminescence at work in nature! For the finale, we’ll settle into the cozy lodge to create a fun glow-in-the-dark craft to take home. Ages 10 and above.
Wednesday, July 2; 7:30 – 9 p.m.Do you love nature art? If so, show off your creativity as you fashion your own art along lovely forest preserve trails! During this outdoor program, we’ll gather natural items to create pretty designs or inspirational words along the many paths at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve for all to see and admire.
Sunday, July 13; 1 – 2 p.m.Beat the heat of the summer prairie and join us for an early morning guided hike. Fresh, dew-filled air and rousing bird song await us on the trail. It’s a great way to start the day!
Friday, Aug. 1; 7 – 8 a.m.There are hundreds of mushroom species in our area, each with a unique habitat and distinguishing features. Learn about the roles that fungi play in our ecosystems and how to find and identify different mushrooms. Our naturalist will lead you on a foray through woodland and grassland trails, where you’re sure to discover a variety of fungal fruits! Note: this program will focus on mushroom ecology and identification, not edibility.
Tuesday, Aug. 5; 5 – 6 p.m.The tallgrass prairie explodes with color and texture in late summer. Our naturalist will lead a stroll through a wonderfully biodiverse restored prairie, introducing you to the many species of flowers and grasses that are specially adapted to growing there.
Wednesday, Aug. 6; 5 – 6 p.m.There are underwater invaders in our local waterways and we want you to help us round them up! Our culprit is the Rusty Crayfish, a tiny aquatic creature that is an invasive species in Kane County. Join Naturalists in the water with dip nets to collect, identify and remove some Rusties. Learn more about native and invasive aquatic species at educational pop-up exhibits. Prizes will be awarded for the biggest, smallest, and largest number of crayfish collected. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get muddy. We will have some dip nets to loan, but bring your own if possible. Visit one or both locations! This is a partnership program with the St. Charles Park District, Fox Valley Park District, and Friends of the Fox. No registration required.
Ethnobotany refers to the body of traditional knowledge of plants and our time-honored customs for using them. As we explore the prairie together, we’ll discover the intricate relationship we humans have with the green individuals growing around us.
Sunday, Aug. 24; 10 – 11 a.m.
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, May 1; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Muirhead Springs Forest Preserve
42W855 Bahr Rd., Hampshire
FREE; donations accepted; no registration needed.
Thursday, June 5; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve
41W600 Hughes Rd., Elburn
FREE; donations accepted; no registration needed.
Thursday, July 3; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Fabyan Forest Preserve
1925 Batavia Ave., Geneva
FREE; donations accepted; no registration needed.
Thursday, Aug. 7; 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls
40W095 Freeman Rd., Gilberts
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, 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.
Sunday, June 15; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Fabyan Forest Preserve
1925 Batavia Ave., Geneva
FREE; advance registration required.
Sunday, July 13; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Grunwald Farms Forest Preserve
02S035 Lorang Rd., Elburn
FREE; advance registration required.
Sunday, Aug. 10; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve
13N240 Engel Rd., Burlington
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, 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.
Thursday, June 19; 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Fox River Bluff West Forest Preserve
5N753 IL Route 31, St. Charles
FREE; advance registration required.
Thursday, July 17; 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Fox River Shores West Forest Preserve
716 Williams Rd., Carpentersville
FREE; advance registration required.
Thursday, Aug. 21; 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Hoscheit Woods Forest Preserve
6N327 IL Route 25, St. Charles
FREE; advance registration required.
Explore the fox river by kayak
Tour our local waterways during these paddling adventures! Our 2025 kayaking series begins with a lake-based basic paddling skills class, followed by shorter and less-strenuous river sessions for beginners. As the summer progresses, choose increasingly longer and more technical paddles for intermediate skill levels. Each session, participants will receive dry-land instruction on basic kayaking techniques from an experienced instructor. Then we’ll take to the water for a naturalist-led exploration of the fascinating local ecology. Participants meet and park at the take-out location and are shuttled to the put-in. Choose any number of sessions; you can take one, two, or all six!
Boaters must be at least 16 years old and be able to hold breath 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.
We require registration at least 1 week prior to the program. Fees: Single kayak rental – Session 1: $69; Sessions 2-6: $89 (includes use of kayak, PFD and paddle). Or provide your own kayak for Sessions 2-6 for $45/participant.
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)
Immerse yourself in a restorative weekend in nature with a community of women nature lovers. Connect with like-minded souls as we explore the benefits of nature walking, botanizing, outdoor cooking, artistic creations and other therapeutic pursuits. The first day will culminate in a naturalist-led ethnobotanical hike, a nature-inspired art project, and a campfire with glamping s’mores. After a shared breakfast on Day 2, we’ll spend some quiet time in reflection, then leave refreshed and renewed. Overnight participants should bring a tent and sleeping gear; those that prefer not to spend the night may leave for the evening to sleep in their own beds, and then return the following morning. We will supply snacks, all meals, activity instruction and supplies, and access to indoor bathrooms, shower, and kitchen. We require registration at least 2 weeks prior to the program. Ages 18 and above.
Saturday, August 30; 10 a.m. – Sunday, August 31; 10 a.m.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.
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; advance registration required.
Learn to identify trees when they are fully leafed out. Environmental Education Manager Barb McKittrick will begin indoors with a review of basic plant morphology and an overview of the different techniques used to examine and ultimately identify summer trees. We’ll then head into the woodlands to examine leaves, bark, twigs, and fruit to identify a number of common native hardwood trees.
Wednesday, June 18; 6 - 8 p.m.In this lecture, Cynthia Clampitt presents the history of pigs and pork, with a focus on the Midwest, to examine the impact of these animals. Pigs were the first food animals to be domesticated, so their history with humans dates back more than 12,000 years. However, antiquity is just one of the reasons why pork is the most eaten meat in the world. This odd, paradoxical animal offers a great range of advantages when it comes to feeding large populations—especially urban populations. Once pigs were introduced to the Americas, they became an almost instant success, raised by settlers but also valued by Native Americans. Pigs moved west and numbers grew rapidly. From Cincinnati, known in the early 1800s as Porkoplis, the center of pork culture moved to Chicago. Pigs offer culinary delight and potential medical advances, but also create some challenges.
Saturday, June 28; 9:30 - 11 a.m.A bumblebee’s a bumblebee, right? Yes, and no. In Illinois, there are twelve species of bumblebees, collectively known by their genus name Bombus. They play a critical role in the ecology of our prairies and woodlands. In this presentation, you’ll learn about bumblebee diversity, ecological niches, and efforts to preserve and protect this important group of pollinators. We’ll begin with an indoor presentation, then head out to the prairie to find different species at work.
Saturday, July 19; 1 - 3 p.m.The story of Illinois’ tallgrass prairie ecosystem is intricate and remarkable. Explore the rich history of these lands and learn how local prairie systems were shaped over the last 200 years. The naturalist-led hike will traverse multiple types of prairies as we learn about their similarities and differences: a beautifully restored prairie, a recreated prairie, and one of the few remaining remnant prairies in Kane County.
Sunday, Aug. 3; 9 - 11 a.m.The Illinois and Michigan Canal, opened in 1848, helped spur the development of Illinois. Connecting the Illinois River and Mississippi River watersheds with the Great Lakes, the canal transported products to distant places and dramatically expanded the links between farms and cities in our state. Dr. Norm Moline, an historical geographer with experiences in historic preservation, will review the canal’s history and its designation in 1984 as the nation’s first National Heritage Area, a program of the National Park Service.
Saturday, Aug. 23; 9:30 - 11 a.m.
