by NIAS | Mar 29, 2024
Enjoy The Spring Migration!
April 27 – Newell Tract, Oakdale Nature Preserve, Freeport.
Some parts of the trail are steep and the ground can be uneven. Meet in the parking area of the Newell Tract, the part of Oakdale on the west side of Crane’s Grove Rd. Restrooms are available in the parking area.
Leader: Anne Straight (815-938-3263)
All of the walks will begin at 8 a.m. And conclude at 11 a.m. Feel free to join or depart the group anytime during those three hours. Those who wish to will gather for lunch afterwards at a nearby restaurant. If the weather is questionable or you need further directions to the site, please call the listed leader. We hope you can join us!
by NIAS | Mar 29, 2024
Enjoy The Spring Migration!
April 18 – Northern Jane Addams Trail and the Orangeville Wetlands.
Walking will be on the hard, level surface of the Jane Addams Trail. Restrooms are available at the trailhead in Orangeville where we begin. Carpool at 7:30 a.m.
Leader: Somer Elgin (815-275-0719)
Expected trail conditions are described above. Restrooms are not available unless noted. We’ve resumed carpooling from the Harbor Freight east parking area on Freeport’s south side adjacent to the McDonald’s along HWY 26. For walks where there is a carpool option, the departure time is indicated.
All of the walks will begin at 8 a.m. And conclude at 11 a.m. Feel free to join or depart the group anytime during those three hours. Those who wish to will gather for lunch afterwards at a nearby restaurant. If the weather is questionable or you need further directions to the site, please call the listed leader. We hope you can join us!
by NIAS | Mar 29, 2024
Enjoy The Spring Migration!
April 12 – Duck’s Misery and the southern Jane Addams Trail.
During most of this outing we are walking on the level, hard surface of the Jane Addams Trail. Some observations will be made from the shoulder of Winneshiek Rd. Carpool at 7:40 a.m.
Leader: Laura Dufford (815-541-8958)
Expected trail conditions are described above. Restrooms are not available unless noted. We’ve resumed carpooling from the Harbor Freight east parking area on Freeport’s south side adjacent to the McDonald’s along HWY 26. For walks where there is a carpool option, the departure time is indicated.
All of the walks will begin at 8 a.m. And conclude at 11 a.m. Feel free to join or depart the group anytime during those three hours. Those who wish to will gather for lunch afterwards at a nearby restaurant. If the weather is questionable or you need further directions to the site, please call the listed leader. We hope you can join us!
by NIAS | Mar 29, 2024
Enjoy The Spring Migration!
April 2 – Wetland Areas of Eastern Stephenson County.
This outing has little walking as we drive to each wetland area and often view the birds from our vehicles. Carpool at 7:45 a.m.
Leader: Mary Blackmore (815-938-3204)
Expected trail conditions are described above. Restrooms are not available unless noted. We’ve resumed carpooling from the Harbor Freight east parking area on Freeport’s south side adjacent to the McDonald’s along HWY 26. For walks where there is a carpool option, the departure time is indicated.
All of the walks will begin at 8 a.m. And conclude at 11 a.m. Feel free to join or depart the group anytime during those three hours. Those who wish to will gather for lunch afterwards at a nearby restaurant. If the weather is questionable or you need further directions to the site, please call the listed leader. We hope you can join us!
by NIAS | Jan 22, 2024
Skunk Cabbage Walk at Franklin Creek
Saturday, March 2
1:00-4:30 p.m. (Carpool 1:00 p.m.)
Carpool from the Forreston Municipal lot (on the south side of the village library)
Coordinator: Mary Blackmore
815-938-3204
Join us as we leisurely stroll the hard-surfaced paths at the Franklin Creek State Natural Area in northern Lee County looking for that wetland harbinger of spring, Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus). Restrooms are available just off the parking area.
If there is any snow cover, sometimes heat from the growing Skunk Cabbage melts a circle of snow around the emerging plant. On past trips we have been able to see the beginning of flowering on the spadix inside the distinctively mottled brown and yellow-green spathe. This is a fascinating plant!
Predicting plant emergence is an educated guess; be sure to sign up for this trip so that Mary can contact you if cancellation is necessary. Carpool from the Forreston Municipal lot (on the south side of the village library) at 1 p.m.
