News and Events

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Preserve Volunteers Only: NIAS Preserves Reflections and Potluck Lunch

Wednesday, November 1, 2023
10:30 a.m.
Randy and Nancy Ocken, 3445 N Union Rd, Polo, IL
Coordinators: Randy and Nancy Ocken, 815-440-5768

NIAS Preserves Reflections and Potluck Lunch for Elkhorn Creek and Silver Creek preserves volunteers at 10:30 a.m. We’ll gather at the home of Randy and Nancy Ocken (815-440-5768), 3445 N. Union Rd., Polo. Bring a dish to pass; beverages and table service will be provided. We’ll discuss 2023 preserves stewardship and consider ideas for 2024 before we have lunch. All preserve volunteers from stewardship or educational activities are welcome to participate. Please RSVP to Ockens if you plan to attend.

Program: NIAS 50th Anniversary Celebration

Monday, November 6, 2023
7 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, Fellowship Hall, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL

Our pandemic-postponed celebration is finally coming! Join us for deluxe refreshments and an evening of memories as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, a couple of years later. We’ll start out with homemade pies and ice cream (with a non-dairy option). For the program we’ll have photos from our 50 years and reflections from a 6-person panel of members: Molly Doolittle, John Walt, Jeremy Dixon, Mary Blackmore, Don Miller and Dan Barron. For most of the evening we want to hear from you, as audience members are invited to share in the reminiscing.
We hope you can join us!

NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS ON A MONDAY AND NOT OUR USUAL TUESDAY DUE TO THE CHURCH HALL BEING A POLLING PLACE ON NOVEMBER 7.

Watch our recorded programs:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_KNVpgieuK07V4dT-dALBg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthwestIllinoisAudubonSociety/

Stewardship: Prairie Seed Processing

Wednesday, November 8, 2023
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.

Our traditional potluck will be held at the conclusion of our work on November 16. Bring a dish to pass and RSVP to Anita at 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.

Field Trip: Migrating Waterfowl on the Mississippi

Saturday, November 11, 2023
12:30 – 5 p.m.
Spring Lake Management Unit located off Highway 84 south of Savanna, IL
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore | 815-938-3204
We’ll start our trip south of Savanna at Spring Lake Wildlife Area to view migrating waterfowl, hopefully including Tundra Swans. Several more stops will be made along the river before our last site, Lock and Dam #13.

Carpool from Harbor Freight at 12:30 p.m. or meet at Spring Lake location at 1:30. Please let Mary know if you plan to attend this trip and if you plan to carpool from Forreston. And remember to set your clock backs as daylight savings time ends!

Meeting: NIAS Board Meeting

Tuesday, November 14, 2023
7 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL

Stewardship: Prairie Seed Processing & Potluck

Thursday, November 16, 2023
9 a.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.

Our traditional potluck will be held at the conclusion of our work on November 16. Bring a dish to pass and RSVP to Anita at 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.

Beginning Birder Club- Bird Tools - REGISTRATION CLOSED - Contact for waitlist

Saturday, November 18, 2023
10:30 a.m. – noon
Freeport Public Library, 100 E Douglas St, Freeport, IL
Coordinator: Juliet Moderow, moderowja@gmail.com, 201-233-0946
Bird tools: We will learn about the natural tools that birds use (beaks and feet), especially when it comes to feeding.
This will be a fun, educational program for youths to learn about different topics about birds. Lessons will be tailored for ages 6-10, but younger/older children are welcome. An adult must be present with the youth during the entire program. All sessions are independent from each other, so you are welcome to attend any that you are able.
Each program will be held at 10:30 am to approximately 12:00 pm on the third Saturday of the month (to remember, third rhymes with bird!). Sessions will be held at the Freeport Public Library in the Youth Services Program Room (past the big tree!), but we will try to end the session outside to look for birds. Please dress appropriately for the weather as well. Please register in advance as space is limited and to help determine amount of materials needed for each session.

To register:
Contact Juliet Moderow, moderowja@gmail.com