News and Events

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Stewardship: Elkhorn Creek, Goats 'n Roses

Thursday, July 6, 2023
7 – 9 a.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
Leader: 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 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: Ogle County Prairie Tour

Friday, July 7, 2023
9 a.m. – noon
Carpool @ Harbor Freight, 1722 S West Ave, Freeport, IL
Coordinator: Chris Kruger, 815-238-9259

The Douglas E. Wade Prairie near Byron is an 11.2 dry virgin prairie. It is owned and managed by the Prairie Preservation Society of Ogle County. The Beach Cemetery Prairie Nature Preserve, owned by the Natural Land Institute, is located near Stillman Valley. This 3.6 dry hill prairie is rich with native plants including coneflower, leadplant, prairie smoke, and little bluestem. Carpool from Harbor Freight in Freeport at 9 am. Expected return time noon. Contact Chris Kruger at 815-238-9259 to confirm your attendance.

Stewardship: Elkhorn Creek, Sandy Slope

Saturday, July 8, 2023
7 – 9 a.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
Coordinator: 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

Monday, July 10, 2023
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 11, 2023
7 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL

Stewardship: Elkhorn Creek, Black Oak Savanna

Wednesday, July 12, 2023
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.

Stewardship: Silver Creek

Friday, July 14, 2023
7 – 9 a.m.
Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Leaf River, IL (SE corner of Leaf River and West Grove Rds)
Leader: 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 and directions about our work always will be provided.

Silver Creek Biodiversity 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. about ¼ mile south of the intersection (S. Main St. crossing HWY 72 in Leaf River becomes Leaf River Rd.)

Screech Owl Campfire at Elkhorn Creek - CANCELED DUE TO AIR QUALITY/WEATHER CONCERNS

Sunday, July 16, 2023
7:30 p.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
DUE TO AIR QUALITY CONCERNS & CHANCE OF RAIN, THIS EVENT IS CANCELED.

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.

Note: Accessibility via ATV transportation to and from the campfire circle will be available courtesy of Bob and Kara Gallup.

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, Jim's Hill

Tuesday, July 18, 2023
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.

Stewardship: Silver Creek

Thursday, July 20, 2023
7 – 9 a.m.
Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Leaf River, IL (SE corner of Leaf River and West Grove Rds)
Leader: 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 and directions about our work always will be provided.

Silver Creek Biodiversity 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. about ¼ mile south of the intersection (S. Main St. crossing HWY 72 in Leaf River becomes Leaf River Rd.)

Stewardship: Elkhorn Creek, Upper Planting and Trail Prep for Butterfly Festival

Tuesday, July 25, 2023
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.

Field Trip: Burr Oak Valley Preserve

Wednesday, July 26, 2023
7 a.m. – noon
Carpool @ Harbor Freight, 1722 S West Ave, Freeport, IL
Coordinator: Laura Dufford, 815-541-8958 (call to register)

Join the group as we tour Natural Land Institute’s beautiful Burr Oak Valley Preserve. Mark Luthin, board member of NLI will lead our trip at this preserve located in Eastern Winnebago County. Bur Oak Valley is a 63 Ac. Preserve containing untouched woodlands and three dolomite prairies which allowed this property to be classified as an IL State Nature Preserve. There are an additional 35 acres next to the Nature Preserve which has the classification status of a Nature Preserve Buffer. We will hear of NLI’s stewardship activities on this unique property as we walk through restored savanna and prairie ecosystems. We will also view the planted prairies in the buffer zone. Our group will be walking for two hours (+) on mowed, gently rolling trails. There will be some steeper hills in several areas. There are no restrooms at the Preserve, but we will stop at a gas station prior to our arrival to Burr Oak Valley.

Stewardship: Elkhorn Creek, Blazing Star Saddles

Thursday, July 27, 2023
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.

Elkhorn Creek Butterfly Festival

Saturday, July 29, 2023
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!