Calendar

Please send calendar items to events@chicagowildernessmag.org.

Chicago Wilderness Calling Frog Survey Spring 2010

Beginning and experienced monitors are invited to attend a workshop to learn more about frog monitoring, review the calls of 13 native species of frogs and toads, and find a survey site. The workshop schedule is below; for more information, visit www.habitatproject.org or contact Karen Glennemeier at (847) 328-1250 or kglennemeier@audubon.org.

January 21, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Blackwell Forest Preserve, Grounds & Resources Complex, 29 W 220 Mack Rd., West Chicago, IL (DuPage County). Contact Cindy Hedges at (630) 876-5929 for more information.

February 6, 9 – 11 a.m.

Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington, IL (Cook County) - Located one mile west of Barrington Road on Palatine Road. Contact Matt Hokanson at (708) 408-2933 for more information.

February 13, 9 a.m. – Noon

Pottawatomie Park, St. Charles. IL (Kane County). Register with Pam Otto at (630) 513-4346 or potto@st-charlesparks.org.

February 18, 7 – 9 p.m.

Camp Sagawau Nature Center, 12545 111th Street, Lemont, IL (Cook County). Register with Joni Marin at (708) 906-0014 or jmarin@cookcountygov.com.

February 20, 10 a.m. – Noon

Independence Grove Forest Preserve & Visitors Center, Libertyville, IL (Lake County). Register with Tom Smith at (847) 968-3329.

February 20, 9 – 11 a.m.

Sugar Creek Administration Center, 17540 West Laraway Rd., Joliet, IL (Will County). Register with Renee Gauchat at rgauchat@fpdwc.org or call (815) 722-7364.

February 23, 7 – 9 p.m.

Ryerson Conservation Area’s Welcome Center, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods, (Lake County). Register with Tom Smith at (847) 968-3329.

March 1, 7 – 9 p.m.

Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Rd., Crystal Lake, IL (McHenry County). To pre-register, call (815) 479-5779 or for more information, contact Sara Denham at (815) 728-8307.

Sunday, January 10

Ice Fishing for Beginners, 1 – 3 p.m.

Learn the basics of ice fishing, including safety, equipment, techniques and tips at Herrick Lake in Wheaton, IL. Fishing will follow if conditions permit. Equipment and bait provided; the program is free and open to all ages (under 18 with an adult). Call (630) 933-7248 for more information.

Snow Birds, 1 p.m.

Explore winter birds and their behavior at the Trailside Museum in River Forest, IL, and discover their adaptations for survival in cold weather. We’ll discuss winter feeding, and make bird feeders to bring home. Registration required; $1.00/person. For adults and older children. Call (708) 366-6530 for more information.

Monday, January 11

Celebration of a Conservationist, 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Celebrate the anniversary of Aldo Leopold's birth and his ideas, writings, and commitment to the vision of a "Land Ethic" at the Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake, IL. View a short film on the book 'Sand County Almanac'. Discussion will follow, and "birthday cake" will be served.

Wednesday, January 13

Why Frogs Call and Why We Should Listen, 5:30 – 8 p.m

Dive into the world of frogs and toads with this informative film, screening at the Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago, IL. Meet some of the museum’s amphibians and meet scientist Mike Lannoo, featured in the film. Wine, refreshments, and snacks will be provided. Space is limited and registration required; please call (773) 755-5179.

Saturday, January 16

“Sky’s the Limit: Volunteer!” Open House, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Discover a variety of opportunities available with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s nine volunteer programs, including Danada Equestrian Center, Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, Kline Creek Farm, Mayslake Peabody Estate, Natural Resource Management, St. James Farm, Trail Patrol, Volunteer Ranger Experience and Willowbrook Wildlife Center. A one-hour presentation will begin at 11 a.m. at the Danada Headquarters office in Wheaton, IL. Call (630) 933-7681 for details.

Citizens for Conservation Restoration Workday, 9 – 11 a.m.

Join Citizens for Conservation and work to restore local woodlands, wetlands and prairies as high-quality habitats for wildlife. Volunteers will be cutting invasive brushy plants in Barrington, IL. Groups are welcome with prior notice. Call (847)382-7283 for more information.

Lake County Forest Preserves Restoration Workday

Grant Woods, Lake Villa, IL, 9 a.m.
Lake Bluff, Lake Villa, IL, 9 a.m.
Lloyd's Woods (Wright Woods), Mettawa, IL, 2 p.m.

Grab some work gloves and join other volunteers to restore Lake County's natural areas. Workdays are a great opportunity to spend time outdoors, make new friends, and make a meaningful contribution. Visit www.LCFPD.org/restoration for a full schedule. New volunteers and groups of four or more please RSVP to Tom Smith, Stewardship Coordinator, at tasmith@co.lake.il.us. NOTE: If the weather is questionable, please contact the Site Steward to confirm before heading out to the scheduled workday.

Sunday, January 17

Owls of DuPage, 2 – 4 p.m.

Find out why people give a hoot about owls, and learn about the species that live in DuPage at the Willowbrook Forest Preserve in Willowbrook, IL. Ages 10 and up with an adult. $3 per person; $5 per family. Call (630) 942-6200 for details.

Budding Naturalist - Tracks & Signs, 1 p.m.

Animals are ever present at Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington, IL, but not always seen. Learn to identify animals by the signs they leave, and make an animal track of your own to take home. Reservations required; please call (847) 381-6592.

Monday, January 18

Martin Luther King Day at Whistler Woods, 9 a.m. – Noon

Celebrate MLK day with community service at Whistler Woods, 134th and Halsted in Chicago, IL. Help remove invasive brush and debris from the woods. Dress for the weather; all necessary tools will be supplied. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Mary Eileen Sullivan, Friends of the Parks, at (312) 857-2757 x13 or visit www.FOTP.org.

Playdate with Nature, 1 – 3 p.m.

Day off school? Come explore the wintery wonderland of the great outdoors at the Greenbelt Cultural Center in North Chicago, IL and discover winter critter clues. Dress for playing outside!

Saturday, January 23

Winter Festival, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Cure your winter blues and cabin fever at the Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake, IL. Indoor and outdoor activities feature: animal tracks, winter adaptations, fun with ice and snow, and cross country skiing and snow sculpting (weather permitting).

Polar Adventure Days, Noon – 4 p.m.

Don't let winter slow you down - come out and enjoy it at the fifth annual Polar Adventure Days at Northerly Island in Chicago, IL. Watch as amazing ice sculptures are created, meet live animals, make winter-themed crafts, sip on hot cocoa, and much more. Dress appropriately!

Friday, January 29

Sounds of the Night – Owls, 5 – 6 p.m.

Hoot! Screech! Who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all? These are just a few calls heard in the evening at Goodenow Grove in Beecher, IL. Join us as we learn about and listen for our nighttime feathered friends of the forest. Registration is required for this program by January 27 by calling (708) 946-2216.

Saturday, January 30

Lake County Forest Preserves Restoration Workday

Ryerson Woods, Riverwoods, IL, 9 a.m.
Wright Woods, Mettawa, IL, 2 p.m.

Grab some work gloves and join other volunteers to restore Lake County's natural areas. Workdays are a great opportunity to spend time outdoors, make new friends, and make a meaningful contribution. Visit www.LCFPD.org/restoration for a full schedule. New volunteers and groups of four or more please RSVP to Tom Smith, Stewardship Coordinator, at tasmith@co.lake.il.us. NOTE: If the weather is questionable, please contact the Site Steward to confirm before heading out to the scheduled workday.

Coyote Tracking, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Locate a coyote’s trail, and follow it through the Mayslake Peabody Estate preserve in Oak Brook, IL, interpreting the animal’s activities as you go. Ages 9 and up; under 18 with an adult. The program is free; call (630) 206-9581 for more information.

Introduction to Beekeeping, 1 – 4 p.m.

This workshop at the Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher, IL will help guide those who would like to get started in beekeeping but don’t know where to begin. With over 45 years of combined experience, beekeepers will lead you through the fundamentals of beekeeping, the lives of honeybees, beekeeping tools, and demonstrate setting up a hive. Registration is required for this program by calling (708) 946-2216 by January 10. The fee is $20 per person.

Chicago Portage Work Day, 9 a.m – Noon

Help restore the historic grounds of Chicago Portage at 49th and Harlem in Lyons, IL by removing invasive plants. Groups welcome! Call (708) 839-6897 for more information.

Sunday, January 31

Volunteer Workday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Volunteer with the North Branch Restoration Project at the Somme Prairie Nature Preserve in Northbrook, IL. Somme Prairie features three acres of high quality prairie hold a remnant of the rich flora that once covered much of the state. To volunteer or for more information, contact Laurel Ross at (312) 665-7432 or Christiane Rey at (773) 478-2019.

Saturday, February 6

Walk with a Naturalist, 9 – 10 a.m.

Enjoy a guided nature hike at the Waukegan Savanna in Waukegan, IL. This program is for adults and is $1 residents/$2 nonresidents.

Sunday, February 7

Volunteer Workday, 9 a.m. – Noon

Volunteer with the North Branch Restoration Project at the Sauganash Prairie Grove in Chicago, IL. For more information or to volunteer contact, Larry Hodak at quemac@aol.com or Pete Leki at peteleki@yahoo.com.

Tuesday, February 9

Warm Up to Snowshoeing, Open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Get out of the house and visit the Monee Reservoir in Monee, IL for a wintry hike in the forest preserve on snowshoes. Snowshoe rentals are $5 per pair; a $10 cash deposit along with a valid driver’s license is required. Call (708) 534-8499 for more information.

Teachers’ Class: Tracking and Reading, 5:30 – 9 p.m.

Teachers, explore the parallels between the structure and meanings in written language and those in animal tracks and other objects found in nature during this 12-session course at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, IL. $345 per teacher. Call (630) 206-9581.
Sessions are as follows:
Feb 9 & 16 and Mar 2, 9, 16 & 23 at 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Feb 13 & 20 and Mar 6, 13, 20 & 27 at 8:00 a.m. – Noon

Saturday, February 13

Romantic Night Hike, 7 – 9 p.m.

Enjoy a lantern-lit walk with your sweetheart through Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook, IL; then, warm up with hot cocoa around a cozy fire. Adults only; $10 per couple. To register, call (630) 850-8110.

Sunday, February 14

Romantic Night Hike, 7:30 – 9 p.m.

Take a guided hike with a naturalist at Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods, IL. Then warm up with a glowing fire, hot chocolate, and s’mores. Adults only; $6.00 per adult (Lake County Residents) and 8.00 per adult (Non-Residents). Register online or by telephone at 847-968-3321 by February 13.

Monday, February 15

Tapping Into Fun, 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Find out how maple syrup is made through a story and a hike at Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook, IL to tap trees. Ages 6 and up with an adult. $5 per person. To register, call (630) 850-8110.

Sunday, February 21

Nature Journal, 1 – 4 p.m.

Prepare for spring adventures by creating a nature journal at the Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake, IL. Have you ever wished you could capture the wonder of a moment or an experience in nature? Do you want to learn more about plants or wildlife? If you answered yes to either of these then join us. We will explore different styles and types of nature journals, have fun with journaling “exercises,” and relax with free time to explore your own journaling style. There will be optional time outside so dress for the weather.

Sunday, February 28

Skunk Cabbage Walk, 1:30 p.m.

Join a naturalist for a short walk up a small creek to look for our earliest blooming flower near the River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook, IL. Contact Sue Holt at (847) 824-8360 for more information.

Saturday, March 6

Beaubien Woods Stewardship Workday, 9 a.m. – Noon

Help remove brush and restore Beaubien Woods in Chicago, IL. Tools and gloves provided. For more information and to RSVP, contact Laura Milkert at (312) 665-7444 or lmilkert@fieldmuseum.org.

Saturday, March 13

Dan Ryan Woods Stewardship Workday, 9 a.m. – Noon

Help remove invasive alien plants, collect seeds, and cleanup Dan Ryan Woods in Chicago, IL so native flora and fauna can thrive. Tools and gloves provided. For more information and to RSVP please contact Benjamin Cox at (773) 398-1178 or benjamin@fotfp.org.

Cressmoor Prairie Workday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Join us at Cressmoor Prairie, 410 N. Lake Park Avenue, Hobart, IN and tackle invasive species Bush Honeysuckle, Autumn Olive on the largest black soil prairie remnant in the state. For more information please contact Jim Erdelac at (219) 879-4725 or volunteer@heinzetrust.org.

Saturday, March 20

Back Yard Gardening for Birds and Butterflies, 9 – 10:30 a.m.

Marian Thill, master gardener and certified naturalist, will discuss the use of native plants to draw wildlife into your yard at the Barrington Area Library in Barrington, IL. Learn how small changes in your yard can be a big help to threatened bird populations. Registration required by March 13; RSVP by calling (847) 382-7283.

Sunday, March 21

Volunteer Workday, 9 a.m. – Noon

Volunteer with the North Branch Restoration Project at Harms Woods in Glenview, IL. Harms Woods is a fine oak woodland situated along the North Branch of the Chicago River. For more information or to volunteer, contact Jane and John Balaban at (847) 679-4289.

Wednesday, March 24

Last Four Miles: A Plan to Complete Chicago’s Lakefront Parks, Noon – 1 p.m.

Over three years ago, Friends of the Parks launched the Last Four Miles Initiative to develop plans for closing the gaps in public access to lakefront parks on the south lakefront between Calumet Park and 71st Street; and on the north lakefront between Hollywood and the Evanston border. Peter Kindel, member of Last Four Miles Design Team, will present a plan for completing Chicago’s lakefront parks at the Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL. Contact (312) 857-2757 for more information.