Festival of the Sugar Maples Two Weekends! Coral Woods Conservation Area 7400 Somerset, Marengo Hear how maple syrup was made hundreds of years ago Discover how maple trees produce sap each spring Learn how sap is collected from maple trees See how maple syrup is made at the evaporator house! Special thanks to this year's event sponsors: Stone Bakers Pizza 6 Landscapes Spring 2017 March 4 & 5 and 11 & 12 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Stop by before or after the event Lion's Club Pancake Breakfast March 5 & 12 7 a.m. Noon Union Fire Protection Dist. 6606 Main Street, Union $3 Child/$6 Adult David Hallberg
xploring the Midwest through E Woodblock Printmaking by Alfred Stark e March 4 May 23 Glacial Park Lost Valley Visitor Center Artist reception: Sunday, April 2, 1 3 p.m. Growing up near a state park in northern Illinois fed Alfred Stark s love of nature from a very early age. Then and now, his favorite way to spend the day is hiking in the woods, exploring the prairie, or paddling one of our many small lakes and rivers these are places where he finds inspiration. About twelve years ago Alfred discovered Japanese Woodblock Printmaking, also known as Moku Hanga (wood print). He was instantly drawn to this technique, as it neither requires a large printing press or smelly solvents. Instead, his press is a small, flat disc known as a Japanese disc baren which pulls the print by carefully rubbing the back of paper which has been placed over an inked wood block. All of his inks, whether vegetable oil based or water based, clean up with soap and water, which is better for the artist as well as the environment. What visitors will see in the exhibit is a mix of Moku Hanga and Western printmaking techniques. All pieces are hand carved with traditional Japanese and German carving tools. Through woodblock printmaking Stark is able to document his love of nature and share it with anyone who might be interested, hoping that they, too, will want to spend more time outdoors. Woodblock printing allows this artist to pare down the natural world to what he finds essentially beautiful about it. Stark holds a Bachelor s degree in Fine Art from Northern Illinois University and his work has been featured in regional, national and international shows. His prints can be seen year round at the Longbranch Gallery in Mineral Point, Wisconsin and the Woodwalk Gallery in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. More of his work can be viewed at alfredstark.etsy.com. Special Events Conservation Egg Hunt Ages Infant 13 with Adult. Registration required. A short hike leads kids to various bird habitats where they search for eggs of local birds. Everyone finds eggs and everyone gets a prize! Program fees cover the purchase of prizes and refreshments. Registration deadline March 23. No refunds issued for cancellations made after March 23. Saturday, April 8, 2:30 3:30 p.m. Paulsen Road shelter, Brookdale, Woodstock Fee: R $4.00/NR $5.00 Code: 5357 Lost Valley Nature Detectives Self-Guided Explorations at Glacial Park It's a beautiful day for hiking, bird watching, and wildlife tracking! Start your adventures at Lost Valley Visitor Center where each month a new topic is featured. Indoor displays and activities will get you ready for an outdoor exploration. Check out the free exploration backpack to borrow binoculars and field guides and grab a scavenger hunt to help you search the wild spaces of Glacial Park. Come any time the visitor center is open! Monthly Exploration Topics: March Squirrels Read a story about squirrels, play a nut caching game, and feel the furs of two different squirrel species that live in Glacial Park. Watch the squirrels at the feeders and then take your scavenger hunt out on the trails to look for clues of squirrel nests, chewed nuts, and more! April Invaders! Learn about plants that sometimes invade and take over native habitats. Play a game to understand more clearly how invasive species can be harmful. Then make your own invasive plant field guide and hike the trails to see if you can tell the difference between the native plants and an invader. May Nesting Time View our collection of bird nests and have fun matching which nest goes to which bird species. Try making your own nest out of materials provided and then go outside to see how many you can find! Remember, do not disturb nesting birds and leave nests where you find them. Landscapes Spring 2017 7
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION 2 17 Saturday, April 22 11:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake The event is held both indoors and out and will go on rain or shine! Guided Nature Hikes Games and Crafts Over 20 Environmental Exhibitors Food & Beverage Vendors on site or bring your own No waste picnic lunch. Live Music Puppet Shows Carpool to the event with friends to enter the raffle for a free picnic shelter reservation. HOUSEHOLD RECYCLING DROP OFF: A variety of items will be accepted for recycling including athletic shoes, batteries, fluorescent tubes and polystyrene foam. Check out www.mccdistrict.org prior to the event for a complete list of accepted items and any associated drop-off fees. Musical Guest: ANNA STANGE Two family-friendly and interactive performances! 11:30 am & 2:00 pm 8 Landscapes Spring 2017
International Migratory Bird Day! Celebrate all weekend long April 29 & April 30 Special Events Two days of activities, games, birdwatching, and lessons will be brought to you by the Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, McHenry County Audubon, and the McHenry County Conservation District. Fun for the whole family! Go to the event closest to you or visit all three. Family Activities Saturday, April 29, 8 a.m. Noon Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, Ringwood Games and activities, bird watching, and crafts. Celebrate birds and their habitats while you get your passport stamped at each station of information. More stamps = more prizes. Free door prizes as well. Bird Banding 7:30 10:30 a.m. U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologists will be netting birds, recording data, and placing bands on their legs. This is your chance to see our migratory songbirds up close! Saturday, April 29 Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, Ringwood Sunday, April 30 Duck s Unlimited site: N541 County Hwy N, Genoa City, WI Sunday, April 30, Noon 4 p.m. Volo Bog State Natural Area, Ingleside Get your passport stamped as you participate in over 20 games and activities! More stamps = more prizes including our ever-popular Audubon Plush Bird that sings its song when squeezed! FREE Door prizes include a pair of binoculars, gift certificates to our favorite Mexican restaurants, and photo prints from some of our favorite photographers. Star Party hosted by Northwest Suburban Astronomers Saturday, April 22 7 10 p.m. Marengo Ridge Shelter #2 parking lot Look at planets, stars, galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters with the help of NSA member telescopes. Observing highlights may include the planet Jupiter, Globular Clusters M13 and M92, the Beehive Cluster in Cancer, the galaxies M65 and M66 in Leo, along with various galaxies of the Virgo Cluster and many other fascinating celestial objects. Dress for a chilly evening and bring a flashlight covered with red plastic or cellophane (red light preserves your night vision). Please arrive around 7 p.m. or come early and hike the trails. You are welcome to bring your own telescope or binoculars. In the event of inclement weather the event will be canceled. Visit www.nsaclub.org for info. Living History Open Houses Sunday, April 23 & Sunday, May 21 Noon 4 p.m. Powers-Walker House, Glacial Park No registration required. Drop in any time during the open hours. Come visit this Greek Revival 1854 restored house and learn more about the resident families that called this area home. April s open house centers around the Powers family and their contribution to the Civil War since two of their sons served the union. May s open house features Samuel Walker, a prominent and influential man who owned the house in the late 1800s. Volunteers in historical attire are available to answer your questions. Don t miss A Coin for Miss Rowena Sunday, April 30, 3 4:30 p.m. For Adults & Families. Registration required. Join author Denise R. Collins as she reads from her book A Coin for Miss Rowena and shares stories of the local land and the historic Powers-Walker House. Explore how the house was when the main characters lived here. Join us for this exciting adventure that ties the past to the present. More detail on page 19. Landscapes Spring 2017 9
Saturday, May 6, Noon 4:00 p.m. Coral Woods 7400 Somerset, Marengo Spring is a time of great natural beauty. This is especially evident throughout the woodlands of Coral Woods. Join us for an afternoon of outdoor exploration and artistic activities centered around the spring wildflowers of Coral Woods. Hike the woodland and witness local plein air artists (a French expression referring to painting in the open air ) along the trails capturing the fleeting beauty of the native spring wildflowers. Previously completed artwork will be for sale throughout the day. Works completed that day will be for sale from 3 4 p.m. Bob Williams Children s Activities: Woodland Art Studio along the trail where kids will receive basic art instruction and make their own petite plein air wildflower art. Plant your own wildflower seed to bring home. Enjoy the Wildflower Reading Corner. Dissect-A-Flower at the Science Station. Ongoing Activities: Guided Wildflower Hikes: (over uneven, hilly terrain) 12:30 p.m. take a 1.5 mile hike. 2:00 p.m. take a.5 mile hike. Landscaping with Native Plants. Food, Live Music, and More! Paddle in the Park Saturday, May 13, 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Lake Atwood Shelter The Hollows 3804 U.S. Hwy 14, Cary Take a canoe, kayak or stand up paddle board paddling clinic. Test-paddle canoes, kayaks or SUP s from local retailers to find the one that is right for you. See demonstrations of paddling and rescue techniques. NEW THIS YEAR!! See a Dragon Boat demonstration and help paddle one. Paddle a voyageur canoe. Learn about local canoe and kayak clubs, paddling opportunities, outfitters, and adventures available right here in the Midwest. One time $5.00 per person fee for all instructional clinics and/or to test water crafts. General entry is free. Registration is not required for this special event. Live music by canoe enthusiast and award winning musician Jerry Vandiver. NEW THIS YEAR a Dragon Boat!! 10 Landscapes Spring 2017
Late Night Open House@ Prairieview Education Center Wednesday, May 10, 4:30 8:30 p.m. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake Have you wanted to make it out to the Prairieview Education Center in Silver Creek Conservation Area, but have found it difficult with your work hours? Now you can take advantage of the extended business hours during this open house. Enjoy an evening view of the summer prairie from the patio and exhibit room, free WiFi, and the Exploration Station a children s activity room. Take advantage of help from staff on the first day of registration for summer programs. Light refreshments provided. Kids in the Outdoors gets kids outside, in fresh air, and provides them with opportunities to engage with nature throughout the entire school year. Participants receive a list of outdoor recreation and nature exploration activities. As activities are completed simply check them off the list and win prizes. It s that easy! Research has shown that spending time out in nature not only provides opportunities for kids to explore and enhance their sense of wonder, but it also reduces stress, increases attention span, and helps kids become better learners. Register Today! $20.00/child, Ages 13 and under Sept. 10, 2016 May 26, 2017 Register by 4/1/17; Report Progress by: 5/26/17 Hiking McHenry County a selection of photographs by Frank Freimuth March 4 May 28 Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake Frank Freimuth s photographic journey has lasted for 45 years, from high school to the present and from Kodak film to the digital world. Nature is his favorite subject, whether it's landscapes, flowers, butterflies or bugs. Frank s camera is never far away from his reach. In this exhibit, Frank shares some of the images he captured of sights and species found or once found in McHenry County. The FOX Club (Families Outside exploring) is a free opportunity designed to help families spend quality time outdoors while learning about nature. As a member of the FOX Club, families receive an exploration backpack, Conservation District site and trail maps, fun seasonal activity ideas, a log book to journal activities, and a bimonthly newsletter. The club offers six gatherings a year, hundreds of outdoor exploration ideas, and a chance to meet other outdoor-loving families. Join online with Code 5123. For more information, contact the FOX Club coordinator at (815) 479-5779 x 15. SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2017 5K EC RUN! Competitive and Recreational Participants Welcome! Join us and run through beautiful Silver Creek Conservation Area to benefit recycling programs and conservation efforts in McHenry County! www.rotaryecorun.org Register online before May 8 - $25 includes T-shirt (chip timed certified event) Race day check-in 7:15-8:30 a.m. Race start time 9:00 a.m. Rain or Shine! Awards in eight age bands immediately following race. Proceeds benefit McHenry County Conservation District, Environmental Defenders of McHenry County and the Woodstock Morning Rotary Foundation Race held at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake, IL Parking available on site Landscapes Spring 2017 11