News and Events

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NIAS 41st Annual Banquet: Presentation by Dr. Steve Hager, Augustana College

Tuesday, September 6, 2022
5:30 p.m.
Highland Community College, Bldg. H, Room 201, 2998 W Pearl City Rd, Freeport, IL
Presenter: Dr. Steve Hager, Augustana College

The Annual Northwest Illinois Audubon Banquet is BACK! We will host our annual banquet at Highland Community College on Tuesday, September 6th. The banquet will feature a feast including Tom Arnold’s roasted turkey and a vegetarian lasagna entrée. Our speaker this year, Dr. Steve Hager, will engage us with a program entitled: Science, Spirit and Story. Dr. Hager is a Professor of Biology at Augustana College and a nature studies photographer. The natural world is full of inspiration and meaning, but how does one understand this rich source of information and what responsibility is assumed by the receiver of it? As part of his nature photography studies program at Augustana College, Stephen B. Hager will share stories and photographs of recent experiences that were derived from both the material and spiritual worlds of nature; some examples include a tree called ‘survivor sycamore’, teachings of the Tufted Titmouse, and the existential properties of lichens. Guiding metaphors for being in nature and placing experiences in broader cultural and literary contexts will be discussed.

Click here to download the banquet reservation flyer. Reservations due by August 26th.

Silent Auction: 5:30
Dinner: 6:00
Program 7:30

Field Trip: Insect Biodiversity at Silver Creek

Sunday, September 11, 2022
1 – 3 p.m.
Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Leaf River, IL (SE corner of Leaf River and West Grove Rds)
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204
In this 10th anniversary year, join us as we leisurely stroll the trails at our Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve, led by entomologist extraordinaire John Walt, in search of the many fascinating insects that can be found there. As John says, “We could see anything!” Butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, a host of “leaf-eaters” and more could be observed.
Bring water, if desired. Snacks will be provided. If the weather is questionable, call Mary. The preserve is located 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.).

September 30 Birdseed Sale Order Deadline!

Monday, September 12, 2022
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

Event: Oaktober

Monday, September 12, 2022
9 – 10 a.m.
Oakdale Nature Preserve, 4433 S. Cranes Grove Rd., Freeport, IL
Coordinator: Adam Moderow, adamoderow@gmail.com or 815-541-5842

Oak trees are a special part of our local ecosystem. Most of us see an oak tree every day, even if we don’t realize it. This Oaktober, our program will focus on these trees that too often go overlooked. We will take a hike and learn how to identify oak trees, (and some others,) learn about how they have adapted to and shaped our environment and discuss their role as a host species. What better place to celebrate Oaktober than Oakdale? Remember to dress for the shifting temperature of October. Meet by the Mogle building, just off of the parking lot.

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.

Meeting: NIAS Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 13, 2022
7 p.m.
St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport, IL

Meeting: Conservation Committee

Wednesday, September 14, 2022
6:30 p.m.
Call for location information
Coordinator: Teresa Smith, 815-238-3963

Conservation Committee Meeting at 6:30 pm. Contact Teresa at 815-238-3963 if you would like to participate.

Event: WATER

Saturday, September 17, 2022
10 – 11 a.m.
Oakdale Nature Preserve, 4433 S. Cranes Grove Rd., Freeport, IL
Coordinator: Adam Moderow, 815-541-5842
Whether you are camping for the weekend or out for an afternoon birding walk, you will always need water. What do you do if you don’t have a water bottle or end up being out longer than you thought? How do plants and animals get water in the wild? On this hike through Oakdale, we will discuss and demonstrate different strategies for getting safe water and what we can learn from how our animal friends do it. It being a water focused lesson, be prepared to get wet. Meet by the Mogle building, just off of the parking lot.
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: Prairie Seed Collecting @ Elkhorn Creek Biodiverisity Preserve

Sunday, September 25, 2022
2 – 4 p.m.
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, Forreston, IL (SE corner of West Grove and Freeport Rds)
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore, 815-938-3204

Tools, snacks and guidance provided. Bring water. If the weather is questionable call Mary at 815-938-3204.

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.

Autumnal Equinox Campfire at Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve - RESCHEDULED to 9/29

Thursday, September 29, 2022
6:30 p.m.
Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve
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.
Bring a lawn chair, flashlight 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 at 815-938-3204.

 

For this event, we will be bringing our EZ-Go to shuttle folks back and forth from the parking lot to the campfire area.  

September 30 Birdseed Sale Order Deadline!

Friday, September 30, 2022
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