NIAS Silver Creek Biodiversity Preserve and the Bald Hill Prairie, rural Leaf River. We’ll walk the mowed trails (uneven ground in some places) of Silver Creek’s woodlands and grasslands. For the last hour we will visit the nearby Bald Hill Prairie where we should be treated to displaying Bobolinks. Carpool at 7:15 a.m.
Krape Park, Freeport. We’ll meet in the parking lot by the dam and walk the paved path along Yellow Creek and then on some of the road shoulder downstream to the pedestrian bridge. Restrooms are in the park.
Harry and Dorothy Espenscheid Forest Preserve northeast of Freeport. A variety of habitats will be explored including forest, savanna and the riparian areas of Rock Run Creek. There are a few steep portions of the mowed trail and the surface can be uneven. Carpool at 7:30 a.m.
Co-hosts: Freeport Park District, University of Illinois Extension, and Freeport Public Library
Join us for a fun, family-friendly event at Oakdale Nature Preserve. This location provides wonderful opportunities for finding birds, but also early spring insects! We will have activities for all ages and abilities.
In an open-house style event in and around the Oakdale Pavillion, we will have many hands-on activities including crafts, games, insect identification, bird-watching, and obstacle course that fits this year’s theme. We will have giveaways while supplies last.
On each hour at 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m., there will be three outings to take the trails to bird watch and look for insects as well. Please meet at the Pavilion to join one of these outings led by NIAS members and Park District members.
We will ensure that the accessible trail be used for each of these outings before taking other trails.
Oakdale Nature Preserve also provides accessible parking and restrooms. There are benches along many of the trails.
Please wear appropriate footwear, in case we explore the water for aquatic insects. Bring binoculars if you have any and we will have some available to borrow.
This is a rain or shine event and hope to have plenty of shelter in case of rain.
Leader: Mary Blackmore (815-938-3204)
NIAS Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve, rural Forreston. We’ll walk the mowed trails through grasslands, woodland and wetlands. The trails have some steep sections and the ground is often uneven. Carpool at 7:30 a.m.