News and Events

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Stewardship: Elkhorn Creek, Old Joe Seep

Friday, July 1, 2022
7 – 9 a.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
Coordinators: Nancy & Randy Ocken, 815-440-5768

Please join us for this stewardship session. Depending upon the site or week, we will be doing a variety of tasks such as removing sweet clover, burdock and wild parsnip, cutting brush, girdling saplings or otherwise reducing the competition to our native prairie, woodland and wetland species.

You Supply: Wear long pants, long sleeves, socks long enough to tuck your pant legs into (for tick avoidance), a hat and footwear that can get wet (earlier is dewier!). Take along insect repellent, sunscreen and work gloves.
We Supply: Tools, gloves, snacks and directions about our work always will be provided.

Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve is about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds., with parking off of West Grove Rd.

Stewardship: Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Tuesday, July 5, 2022
7 – 9 a.m.
Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Leaf River, IL (SE corner of Leaf River and West Grove Rds)
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

Please join us for this stewardship session. We will be doing a variety of tasks such as removing sweet clover, burdock and wild parsnip, cutting brush, girdling saplings or otherwise reducing the competition to our native prairie, woodland and wetland species.

You Supply: Wear long pants, long sleeves, socks long enough to tuck your pant legs into (for tick avoidance), a hat and footwear that can get wet (earlier is dewier!). Take along insect repellent, sunscreen and work gloves.
We Supply: Tools, gloves, snacks and directions about our work always will be provided.

The preserve is about 2 miles south of Leaf River in the southwest corner of the intersection of Leaf River Rd. and West Grove Rd. Parking is off of Leaf River Rd. (S. Main St. crosses HWY 72 in Leaf River and becomes Leaf River Rd.

Stewardship: Elkhorn Creek, Blazing Star Saddles

Thursday, July 7, 2022
7 – 9 a.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
Coordinator: Bernard Lischwe, 815-275-9200

Please join us for this stewardship session. Depending upon the site or week, we will be doing a variety of tasks such as removing sweet clover, burdock and wild parsnip, cutting brush, girdling saplings or otherwise reducing the competition to our native prairie, woodland and wetland species.

You Supply: Wear long pants, long sleeves, socks long enough to tuck your pant legs into (for tick avoidance), a hat and footwear that can get wet (earlier is dewier!). Take along insect repellent, sunscreen and work gloves.
We Supply: Tools, gloves, snacks and directions about our  work always will be provided.

Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve is about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds., with parking off of West Grove Rd.

Stewardship: Elkhorn Creek, Sandy Slope

Saturday, July 9, 2022
7 – 9 a.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
Coordinators: John & Anita Nienhuis, 815-443-2401

Please join us for this stewardship session. Depending upon the site or week, we will be doing a variety of tasks such as removing sweet clover, burdock and wild parsnip, cutting brush, girdling saplings or otherwise reducing the competition to our native prairie, woodland and wetland species.

You Supply: Wear long pants, long sleeves, socks long enough to tuck your pant legs into (for tick avoidance), a hat and footwear that can get wet (earlier is dewier!). Take along insect repellent, sunscreen and work gloves.
We Supply: Tools, gloves, snacks and directions about our work always will be provided.

Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve is about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds., with parking off of West Grove Rd.

Stewardship: Elkhorn Creek, Black Oak Savanna

Tuesday, July 12, 2022
8 – 10 a.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
Leaders: Pam & Jim Richards, 815-338-4049

Please join us for this stewardship session. Depending upon the site or week, we will be doing a variety of tasks such as removing sweet clover, burdock and wild parsnip, cutting brush, girdling saplings or otherwise reducing the competition to our native prairie, woodland and wetland species.

You Supply: Wear long pants, long sleeves, socks long enough to tuck your pant legs into (for tick avoidance), a hat and footwear that can get wet (earlier is dewier!). Take along insect repellent, sunscreen and work gloves.
We Supply: Tools, gloves, snacks and directions about our work always will be provided.

Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve is about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds., with parking off of West Grove Rd.

Meeting: NIAS Board Meeting

Tuesday, July 12, 2022
7 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL

Stewardship: Elkhorn Creek, Jim's Hill

Thursday, July 14, 2022
7 – 9 a.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
Coordinator: Teresa Smith, 815-835-5109

Please join us for this stewardship session. Depending upon the site or week, we will be doing a variety of tasks such as removing sweet clover, burdock and wild parsnip, cutting brush, girdling saplings or otherwise reducing the competition to our native prairie, woodland and wetland species.

You Supply: Wear long pants, long sleeves, socks long enough to tuck your pant legs into (for tick avoidance), a hat and footwear that can get wet (earlier is dewier!). Take along insect repellent, sunscreen and work gloves.
We Supply: Tools, gloves, snacks and directions about our work always will be provided.

Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve is about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds., with parking off of West Grove Rd.

Field Trip: Native Prairie Walk

Saturday, July 16, 2022
10 – 11 a.m.
Oakdale Nature Preserve, Newell Tract (west side) 4433 S. Cranes Grove Rd., Freeport, IL
Coordinator: Adam Moderow, adamoderow@gmail.com, 815-541-5842

Learn the abundant and diverse plant species that have called this area home since before the first settlers. We will explore the prairie preserve at Oakdale highlighting some of the more common native plants, what their place in the ecosystem is, how prairies are maintained, and how backyard prairies are becoming popular. 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: Elkhorn Creek, Black Oak Savanna

Monday, July 18, 2022
8 – 10 a.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
Leaders: Pam & Jim Richards, 815-338-4049

Please join us for this stewardship session. Depending upon the site or week, we will be doing a variety of tasks such as removing sweet clover, burdock and wild parsnip, cutting brush, girdling saplings or otherwise reducing the competition to our native prairie, woodland and wetland species.

You Supply: Wear long pants, long sleeves, socks long enough to tuck your pant legs into (for tick avoidance), a hat and footwear that can get wet (earlier is dewier!). Take along insect repellent, sunscreen and work gloves.
We Supply: Tools, gloves, snacks and directions about our work always will be provided.

Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve is about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds., with parking off of West Grove Rd.

Screech Owl Campfire at Elkhorn Creek

Friday, July 22, 2022
7:30 p.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

Screech Owl Full Moon Campfire at our Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve at 7:30 p.m. After a stroll to observe birds and blooms, the campfire will start at 8:00, with s’mores provided. This is typically a good time of the summer to hear our resident Screech Owls. Bring a lawn chair, flashlight, insect repellent and, if desired, water.

Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve is about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Roads, with parking off of West Grove Road. If weather is questionable call Mary at 815-938-3204.

Stewardship: Elkhorn Creek, Upper Planting

Tuesday, July 26, 2022
7 – 9 a.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

Please join us for this stewardship session. Depending upon the site or week, we will be doing a variety of tasks such as removing sweet clover, burdock and wild parsnip, cutting brush, girdling saplings or otherwise reducing the competition to our native prairie, woodland and wetland species.

You Supply: Wear long pants, long sleeves, socks long enough to tuck your pant legs into (for tick avoidance), a hat and footwear that can get wet (earlier is dewier!). Take along insect repellent, sunscreen and work gloves.
We Supply: Tools, gloves, snacks and directions about our work always will be provided.

Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve is about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds., with parking off of West Grove Rd.

Elkhorn Creek Butterfly Festival

Saturday, July 30, 2022
1 – 5 p.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

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, snacks and information about pollinators.

If the weather is questionable, call Mary Blackmore at 815-938-3204 before 10 a.m. on July 27. To date 34 species of butterflies and skippers have been documented at the preserve.

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