News and Events

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Prairie Stewardship - Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Wednesday, July 6, 2016
8 – 10 a.m.
Elkhorn Riparian Strip stewardship. Tools, gloves, water and training provided. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes that can get wet! Bring insect repellent and sunscreen.

Carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at 7:30 a.m. The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast of West Grove and Freeport Rds. The parking lot is off West Grove Rd. Leader: Jeremy 815-821-3921.

Field Trip: A Tale of Two Prairies

Friday, July 8, 2016
8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Freeport Prairie Nature Preserve & Hansen-Blackmore Prairie at HCC
We’ll first drive to the nearby Freeport Prairie Nature Preserve, a native remnant of the original upland prairie known as Shannon Prairie. Summer forbs should be in abundance including Pale Purple Coneflower, Lead Plant, Stiff Coreopsis and much more. From there we will drive to Highland Community College and visit the Hansen-Blackmore Prairie, a diverse planting from the early 70s, established by Leland Hansen and Keith Blackmore and their students. Seed was collected only from a 50-mile radius of the site in an effort to preserve local ecotypes. Optional lunch after in Freeport.

Carpool from Staples in Freeport at 8:30 a.m. Leader: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204.

Prairie Stewardship - Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Saturday, July 9, 2016
7 – 9 a.m.
Blazing Star Saddles stewardship. Tools, gloves, water and training provided. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes that can get wet! Bring insect repellent and sunscreen.

Carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at 6:30 a.m. The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast of West Grove and Freeport Rds. The parking lot is off West Grove Rd. Leaders: Bernard and Chris 815-238-9259.

Prairie Stewardship - Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Monday, July 11, 2016
7 – 9 a.m.
Sandy Slope stewardship. Tools, gloves, water and training provided. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes that can get wet! Bring insect repellent and sunscreen.

Carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at 6:30 a.m. The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast of West Grove and Freeport Rds. The parking lot is off West Grove Rd. Leaders: John & Anita 815-443-2401.

Prairie Stewardship - Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Wednesday, July 13, 2016
7 – 9 a.m.
Swamp Sparrow Wetland stewardship. Tools, gloves, water and training provided. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes that can get wet! Bring insect repellent and sunscreen.

Carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at 6:30 a.m. The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast of West Grove and Freeport Rds. The parking lot is off West Grove Rd. Leader: Juliet 201-233-0946.

Screech Owl Campfire at Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Thursday, July 14, 2016
7 p.m.
This should be a great opportunity to hear the unique call of this small owl. Stroll at 7 p.m.; campfire at 8 p.m. 

Carpool at 6:30 p.m. The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Roads. The parking lot is off of West Grove Road. If weather is questionable call Mary at 815-938-3204.

Field Trip: Olbrich Outdoors

Saturday, July 16, 2016
7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, WI
Participants on our winter Olbrich trip expressed a desire to return in the summer to see the outdoor gardens. There is no fee for the outdoor gardens. For those who wish to visit the indoor Bolz Conservatory there is a $2 admission fee. The seasonal exhibit there will be “Blooming Butterflies,” where different species of butterflies are in various stages of development, with free-flying adult butterflies in the conservatory. We’ll have lunch on the way home at the local foods cafe in the nearby village of Paoli. Call Mary to confirm your attendance, 815-938-3204.

Carpool from Staples in Freeport at 7:30 a.m. Leader: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204.

Prairie Stewardship - Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Monday, July 18, 2016
7 – 9 a.m.
Goats 'n Roses stewardship. Tools, gloves, water and training provided. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes that can get wet! Bring insect repellent and sunscreen.

Carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at 6:30 a.m. The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast of West Grove and Freeport Rds. The parking lot is off West Grove Rd. Leader: Mary 815-938-3204.

"Talking About the Issues"

Tuesday, July 19, 2016
7 – 9 p.m.
Our monthly discussion session at the home of Chris Kruger; 201 West Zimmerman Street in Dakota, 815-238-9259. The first hour will focus on the status of the Gray Wolf in Wisconsin. Information can be found on the Wisconsin DNR website where you can enter the word “wolf” in the search or keywords box.  http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/wolf/ 

The second hour will be the customary discussion of whatever issues are brought forth by participants. All are welcome to attend this issues discussion. Carpool from the Staples parking lot in Freeport at 6:30 PM or call Chris for directions.

Audubon in the Library: Wildlife Wednesday "The 'Hottest' Animals"

Wednesday, July 20, 2016
10:30 – 11 a.m.
Freeport Public Library
"The 'Hottest" Animals"

An Audubon member hosts a monthly series called Wildlife Wednesdays at the Freeport Public Library. During the program, there is first a special story time followed by an activity related to the theme.

Appropriate audience is two- to seven-year olds.

Prairie Stewardship - Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Thursday, July 21, 2016
7 – 9 a.m.
Jim's Hill stewardship. Tools, gloves, water and training provided. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes that can get wet! Bring insect repellent and sunscreen.

Carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at 6:30 a.m. The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast of West Grove and Freeport Rds. The parking lot is off West Grove Rd. Leader: Lynn 815-235-9530.

Audubon in the Library: Audubon Thursday "Beat the Heat"

Thursday, July 21, 2016
1 – 2 p.m.
Freeport Public Library
“Beat the Heat” (all about heat adaptations)

This is a special addition to the regular “Wildlife Wednesday” program, but for older kids. The summer library theme is “Read for the Win,” so an Audubon member will have a special program about winning and successful animal adaptations.

Appropriate audience is six- to 12-year olds.

Prairie Stewardship - Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Monday, July 25, 2016
7 – 9 a.m.
Upper Planting stewardship. Tools, gloves, water and training provided. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes that can get wet! Bring insect repellent and sunscreen.

Carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at 6:30 a.m. The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast of West Grove and Freeport Rds. The parking lot is off West Grove Rd. Leader: Mary 815-938-3204.

Prairie Stewardship - Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Thursday, July 28, 2016
7 – 9 a.m.
NW Planting stewardship. Tools, gloves, water and training provided. Wear long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes that can get wet! Bring insect repellent and sunscreen.

Carpool from the Staples east lot in Freeport at 6:30 a.m. The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast of West Grove and Freeport Rds. The parking lot is off West Grove Rd. Leader: Mary 815-938-3204.

Annual NIAS Butterfly Festival

Saturday, July 30, 2016
1 – 5 p.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve
Join us for a fun, informative family friendly afternoon as we explore the Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve for the many butterflies that are found there. From 1-5 p.m. participants may join guided butterfly tours or look on their own for those winged beauties. Tours will begin at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. “Illinois Butterflies and Moths” pocket guides will be distributed at no charge while supplies last.

We’ll have a shady rest area with chairs, as well as a restroom, cold beverages and snacks. If the weather is questionable, call Mary Blackmore at 815-938-3204 before 10 a.m. on July 30. Explorers at prevous Butterfly Festivals have found 29 species
of butterflies and skippers, among them Tiger Swallowtail, Meadow Fritillary, Buckeye, Comma, Peck’s Skipper, Silver Spotted Skipper and Milbert’s Tortoiseshell.

The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Roads. The parking lot is off of West Grove Rd. We hope to see you there!