Many of these books can be found on PrairieCat; many are available for as little as 1 cent or 99 cents from booksellers on Amazon (with $3.99 for postage and handling).
For pre-school to grade 2:
Outside Your Window:
A First Book of Nature
Nicola Davies
Observations, reflections, suggestions to help children enjoy nature. Sprinkled with facts and fun things to do.
And Then It’s Spring
Julia Fogliana/Erin E. Stead (illus.)
Hopefulness and anticipation as the first seeds are planted in the dark soil of winter. Then there is waiting-checking-waiting- imagining all that could have gone wrong—and then the seeds sprout.
For older children, grades 4 to 7 – and even for adults:
Pax
Sara Pennypacker
A novel about the powerful relationship of a boy and his red fox.
The Forest Unseen
David Haskell, professor of biology and environmental studies, University of the South; a Guggenheim fellow
From the Kirkus Review: “An extraordinary, intimate view of life. Exceptional observations of the natural world.”
Children, Nature and You Resources to help you give the children you influence the awe and wonder that only the natural world can inspire
Freeport Park District Information on all the Freeport parks
Freeport Public Library More than books on a shelf...visit the Freeport Public Library
Freeport/Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau Events located in Stephenson County, IL
Getting Kids Involved (The Cornell Lab of Ornithology) Includes bird information, tips, and more for kids and families
The Great Backyard Bird Count for Kids Sponsored by the Audubon Society and other partners
Jane Addams Recreation Trail Ride or Hike the beautiful Jane Addams Trail
Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots A program of the Jane Goodall Institute offering a variety of programs and resources
National Audubon website Use “Get Outside” and “Family Time” prompts
National Wildlife Federation Many family-friendly articles; Ranger Rick family magazine
Paddle the Pecatonica River Water Trail Enjoy Illinois’ “Friendliest Paddle” on the Pecatonica River
Resource Guide Supplement to Last Child in the Woods Designed for parents, teachers, and community leaders to help them encourage children’s enjoyment of the great outdoors.
Severson Dells Nature Center Located near Rockford, IL.
Sierra Club Outdoors The program's goal is to give every child in America an outdoor experience.
AUDUBON IN THE LIBRARY
Wildlife Wednesdays, 10:30 — 11:00 a.m. at the Freeport Library
Appropriate audience is two– to seven-year-olds
An Audubon member hosts this monthly series at the Freeport Public Library. 
During the program, there is a special story time followed by an activity related to a theme.
Earth Month Children’s Cleanup
April 14, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Meet at the Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas Street, Freeport
Juliet and Anna from the library will lead a children’s cleanup. We will start at the library and walk around the downtown area to safely pick up trash. The goal is to teach children about not littering and to set examples for others.
Environmental Film Series – Month of April
April 13, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Freeport Public Library
Born to Be Wild (Rated G)
A short nature documentary that examines the lives of orphaned orangutans and elephants affected by poaching and habitat encroachment and follows the efforts of individuals who work to rescue, rehabilitate and return the animals to the wild. 40 minutes (2011).
April 20, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Freeport Public Library
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
An animated film that occurs far in the future after an apocalyptic conflict has devastated much of the world’s ecosystem. 1 hour and 58 minutes (1984).
April 27, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Freeport Public Library
Before the Flood (Unrated)
A documentary presented by National Geographic featuring Leonardo DiCaprio on a journey as a United Nations Messenger of Peace. Topic: Climate Change. 1 hour and 36 minutes (2016).
Be the Change – Third Annual Super Cleanup
Saturday, April 29
The kickoff will be at the west end of Read Park at 10:00 a.m.
For more information, contact BTCGrimeFighters@yahoo.com, 815-990-2376, or visit facebook.com/BeTheChangeFreeport.
Audubon Earth Day Event
April 22, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Krape Park
Event is FREE and open to the public – rain or shine. See the huge variety of activities listed in our April/May newsletter (page 5). Many participating organizations will be helping to make this an exciting day for children and families.
NIAS Monthly Meeting
May 2, 6:00 p.m. Potluck (bring a dish to pass and your own table service)
Meeting and Program 7:00 p.m., St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 Park Blvd., Freeport
“Experience with Falconry” – Hannah Badgett
This program will be a good time to hear more about falcons, which is the bird species highlighted on our Beginning Birder this month!
American Kestrel
Flaco sparverius
This little bird is America’s littlest falcon. Even though it has a small body, it is a fierce hunter. It is also one of the most colorful of all raptors. The male has slate-blue head and wings, which show up nicely against his rusty-red back and tail. The female has the same reddish color on her wings, back and tail. You might have spotted one of these little falcons on telephone wires or poles, or even hovering facing into the wind.
Cool Facts*
- Sometimes at night games like baseball or soccer, kestrels will perch on the big lights watching for moths and insects and catching these snacks on the wing.
- It can also be tough to be one of the smallest falcons. They can end up as prey for larger birds such as Red-tailed Hawks, Barn Owls, and American Crows.
- Unlike humans, birds can see ultraviolet light. This helps the kestrel to make out the trails of urine that voles leave as they run along the ground. Like neon diner signs, these bright paths may highlight the way to a meal.
- Kestrels have been known to hide extra food in grass clumps, bushes and tree limbs to save it for times when they need food or to hide it from other animals that might steal it.
- You can spot these birds in towns and cities, especially parks, and also around farm fields.
- Common foods include grasshoppers, beetles, dragonflies, spiders, butterflies, moths, moles, shrews, bats and even small birds.
- They often nest in old woodpecker holes, natural tree hollows, rock crevices and nooks in buildings.
* Information adapted from Cornell Lab of Ornithology site All About Birds.
Be a Spring Explorer
As you go on a spring walk in your yard, around your neighborhood, at a park, or anywhere, list the colors you see, the smells, the sounds (an adult can jot these down on a phone or small notebook).
Back home, make a chart that lists these.
For older children: identify as well as you can what it is you see, smell and hear, and chart that at home.
Look at the trees and point out buds: ask if they will become blossoms or leaves.
Spring Blooms
Have each person, big and little, sit next to a flower: you can take along sit-upons in a backpack.
Observe very closely: How many petals? What color(s)? Shape of leaves? Are they even on the stem or staggered?
After looking carefully, close your eyes and picture the plant. Open your eyes – did you remember everything?
Now, looking away from the flower, draw it – colored pencils, paper, and cardboard backing can also be taken along by an adult in a backpack.
Look at what you have drawn – did you forget anything? Did you remember just how it was?
It doesn’t matter how “primitive” the drawing is – it’s just a matter of sketching what each person can remember.
News
and Events
Check out our full calendar of activities, events, and educational opportunities. You're sure to find something to interest you. Please join us!
Events include:
- Monthly educational programs and issues discussions
- Local bird walks
- Field trips
- Preserve work days
For more details, see the current newsletter.
Saturday, Apr. 17, 2021
Annual Crane Count... 
Thursday, Apr. 22, 2021
Bird Walk: N. Jane Addams Trail and Orangeville Wetlands... 
Wednesday, Apr. 28, 2021
Bird Walk: Newell Tract, Oakdale Nature Preserve...
Tuesday, May. 4, 2021
Zoom Program: Forest Park Owls: Hiding in Plain Sight... 
Kids and Families Beginning Birder Get Linked In
Conservation Climate Change What You Can Do Legislative Issues & Contacts Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Northwest Illinois Audubon Society, P.O. Box 771, Freeport, IL 61032-0771