News and Events

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Program: America's Red Rock Wilderness

Tuesday, November 1, 2022
7 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, Fellowship Hall, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL
Presenter: Clayton Daughenbaugh

Clayton Daughenbaugh is the Organizing Director and Midwest Regional Organizer for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. He is also a volunteer national leader with the Sierra Club on wildlands protection efforts where he received the William Colby Award which is their highest award for volunteer leadership in the organization. Clayton spent his childhood in New Orleans and presently resides in Berwyn, IL.

The red rock country of southern Utah is among the most spectacular landscapes in the world. It’s also the largest network of unprotected wilderness remaining in the lower 48 states. National Audubon has declared a significant portion of it an Important Bird Area primarily due to the habitat for the Mexican Spotted Owl. Protecting it would make a vital contribution to the fight against climate change and securing Earth’s biodiversity from the accelerating loss of species. The region is the ancestral homeland for Native Americans who have become important advocates for its protection. Recent years have seen the loss and return of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments as well as the passage of the largest wilderness bill in two decades. But much more needs to be done.
The presentation will include an award winning 14-minute film.

Stewardship: Prairie Seed Processing

Sunday, November 6, 2022
1 – 4 p.m.
3350 S Mill Grove Rd, Pearl City, IL
Coordinator: Anita Nienhuis, 815-443-2401

Join us for prairie seed processing at the Nienhuis Deluxe Shed! Seed processing is easy and fun; no experience is necessary. It’s sort of like a botanical quilting bee, with lots of good conversation.
Dust masks will be provided (or bring your own) since we raise considerable dust while rubbing seedheads across screens. Masks also will provide viral protection. All mint species will be processed in an outdoor workspace.

Directions to the Nienhuis home at 3350 S. Mill Grove Rd., Pearl City: Take Pearl City Rd. west from Freeport about 7 miles. Turn left (south) on Block Rd. In a little over 1 mile turn left (south) on Mill Grove Rd. The Nienhuis driveway is on your right, less than ½ mile down Mill Grove Rd. and directly across the entrance to a campground.

Meeting: NIAS Board Meeting

Tuesday, November 8, 2022
7 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL

Event: A Walking Sense Journal

Saturday, November 12, 2022
4 – 5 p.m.
Oakdale Nature Preserve, 4433 S Cranes Grove Rd, Freeport, IL
Coordinator: Adam Moderow, adamoderow@gmail.com or 815-541-5842

This guided journaling exercise will focus on how nature appeals to our different senses. We will walk through Oakdale, pausing along the way, and focus on how our individual senses interpret the natural world around us. Getting out into nature as it shifts and quiets in preparation for winter can be a wonderful tool for reflection as we do the same. Feel free to bring your own notebook and writing utensil. We should be done before dark but be prepared for less light than when we started. Remember to dress warmly. Meet in the shelter/parking area of the Newell Tract (the part of Oakdale on the west side of Crane’s Grove Rd.)

Contact Adam Moderow at adamoderow@gmail.com or at 815-541-5842 to register in case it becomes necessary to limit the number of participants.

Stewardship: Prairie Seed Processing

Tuesday, November 15, 2022
1 – 4 p.m.
3350 S Mill Grove Rd, Pearl City, IL
Coordinator: Anita Nienhuis, 815-443-2401

Join us for prairie seed processing at the Nienhuis Deluxe Shed! Seed processing is easy and fun; no experience is necessary. It’s sort of like a botanical quilting bee, with lots of good conversation.
Dust masks will be provided (or bring your own) since we raise considerable dust while rubbing seedheads across screens. Masks also will provide viral protection. All mint species will be processed in an outdoor workspace.

We hope to return to our traditional potluck at the conclusion of our work on November 15, but this will be finalized closer to that date and will depend on local pandemic conditions. If you’d like to join us on November 15 call Anita in advance (815-443-2401).

Directions to the Nienhuis home at 3350 S. Mill Grove Rd., Pearl City: Take Pearl City Rd. west from Freeport about 7 miles. Turn left (south) on Block Rd. In a little over 1 mile turn left (south) on Mill Grove Rd. The Nienhuis driveway is on your right, less than ½ mile down Mill Grove Rd. and directly across the entrance to a campground.