News and Events

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Program: Dragonflies & Damselflies of Northern Illinois

Tuesday, September 5, 2023
7 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, Fellowship Hall, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL
Presenter: Barbara Williams, Forest Preserves of Winnebago County citizen science program

Barbara Williams will kickoff our programming year with information about dragonfly anatomy, life cycles, identification, helpful resources and tips on catching and photographing dragonflies, to help the beginner get started in studying dragonflies.

Dragonflies and damselflies provide a visual feast for nature lovers from May to October. They
are superb aerialists that are fierce predators, beautiful and marvelous to watch. Some are easy to find, photograph and identify but others are very challenging.

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

Meeting: NIAS Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 12, 2023
7 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL

Field Trip: Nachusa Grassland's Autumn on the Prairie

Saturday, September 16, 2023
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Nachusa Grasslands, 2075 S Lowden Rd, Franklin Grove, IL
Coordinator: Chris Kruger, 815-238-9259
Join us for Nachusa Grassland’s annual festival. Bison tours and guided hikes are throughout the day, as well as birds of prey displays and program, a self-guided plant ID walking hike, Discovery tent activities for children, local vendors and more. There will be food available to purchase for lunch.
Sturdy shoes and long pants are recommended for the hiking tours as most are off trail. Carpool from Harbor Freight in Freeport at 9 a.m. or meet us at Nachusa at 10 a.m. (Gates open at 10 a.m.) Planned return time to Freeport is 3 p.m. There is a $5 per car parking fee. Donations will also be accepted at the Welcome Pavilion and the Bison Tour Tent.
Call Chris Kruger at 815-238-9259 by Wednesday, September 13 to confirm your attendance. You can find more information on Nachusa’s 4100 acre preserve at nachusagrasslands.org.

Beginning Birder Club- What Makes a Bird a Bird? - REGISTRATION CLOSED - Contact for waitlist

Saturday, September 16, 2023
10:30 a.m. – noon
Freeport Public Library, 100 E Douglas St, Freeport, IL
Coordinator: Juliet Moderow, moderowja@gmail.com, 201-233-0946

What makes a bird a bird?: We will learn about the unique characteristics of a bird.
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

September 29 Birdseed Sale Order Deadline!

Sunday, September 17, 2023
Contact: Tim Smith, timtreetsmith@gmail.com

Click here to download the order form.

Mail form with check payable to:
Northwest Illinois Audubon Society (NIAS)
%Tim Smith
1975 Mound Hill Road
Dixon, IL 61021

Stewardship: Prairie Seed Collecting @ Elkhorn Creek Biodiverisity Preserve

Saturday, September 23, 2023
2 – 4 p.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

Happy Autumnal Equinox! We’ll be prairie seed collecting at our Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, 2-4 p.m. Tools, snacks and guidance provided. Bring water and insect repellent.
The preserve is located about 3 miles southwest of Forreston in the southeast corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds., with parking off of West Grove Rd. If the weather is questionable call Mary in advance at 815-938-3204.

September 29 Birdseed Sale Order Deadline!

Friday, September 29, 2023
Contact: Tim Smith, email

This year’s Bird Seed Sale deadline is September 29. Order pick up will be held October 19-21. Sale fliers should begin arriving in mailboxes sometime in September.

If you can volunteer to help sort orders or deliver seed, please call Mary at 815-938-3204.

Full Moon Campfire at Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve

Friday, September 29, 2023
6:30 p.m.
Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Leaf River, IL
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

Stroll the trails at 6:30 p.m., and join the campfire at 7 p.m. S’mores will be provided. Note: Accessibility via ATV transportation to and from the campfire circle will be available courtesy of Bob and Kara Gallup.
Bring a lawn chair, flashlight, insect repellent and water. 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.). If the weather is questionable call Mary in advance at 815-938-3204.