Late Fall into Winter

The Friends of Moraine Hills State Park

Late Fall into Winter at

Volo Bog State Natural Area

Moraine Hills State Park & McHenry Dam

Plan your Winter Staycation with us!

A full line-up of programs close to home and FREE!

What could be better?!

Donations are happily accepted by the sites’ associated Friends groups.

For membership and other information visit

www.FriendsofVoloBog.org and www.FriendsofMoraineHillsStatePark.org

Encouraging families to--- Leave No Child Inside!

Reservations are requested for most programs - Phone 815-344-1294

Limited drop-ins welcome but... program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

Guided Tours of Volo Bog

Most Saturdays & Sundays LNCI! 11:00 am & 1:00 pm

Autumn in Illinois' only remaining open-water quaking bog is lit by the turning of the Tamarack Trees. The golden glow of these deciduous conifers has inspired writers such as Aldo Leopold who described the fallen needles as forming a "blanket of smoky gold." Winter is a time like no other. The bare winter shrubs and trees enhance visibility and add texture against the white snow. Signs of deer, rabbit & raccoons are abundant; mink, coyote & owls leave signs for the more careful observers. When the snow is not too deep, the carnivorous pitcher plants are easily seen under the bare branches of the tamaracks. No reservations are required. Groups of 10 or more, please phone 815-344-1294 for special arrangements. All ages welcome (minimum age 5 recommended). Tours are about one hour.

Visit the Friends of Volo Bog

Tamarack Shop

Open Weekends 10 am - 3 pm

Fridays 12 Noon - 3 pm

Great gift selections for the Nature Lovers on your Holiday Shopping List!

Books * Music * Puppets * Puzzles * Posters * Pictures

Jewelry by Local Artisans * T-Shirts * Sweat Shirts * Toys

Vote in Volo Bog State Natural Area’s

22^nd Annual Nature Photo Contest

Now through Friday, January 9, 2008

Call 815-344-1294 or visit www.FriendsofVoloBog.org for current Visitor Center hours

Visitors to Volo Bog State Natural Area are asked to cast their ballots for their favorite photos. This year’s contest features 115 entries by 17 different amateur photographers. Awards will be presented during WinterFest - Sunday, January 11^th.

Bird Walks at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Saturdays & Sundays 8:00 a.m. LNCI!

November 2, 22; December 14; January 11, February 7; March 15, 28

Meet in the Parking Lot

Enjoy migrating birds in a variety of habitats at Volo Bog SNA. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides or borrow ours. Walk length and time varies from 1 - 3+ hours with weather & luck in birding! Walks are co-sponsored by McHenry County Audubon and led by its members. Geared to adults (& attentive kids 7 yrs. & up)

Reservations are requested - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

Bird Walks at McHenry Dam LNCI!

Saturdays & Sundays 8:00 a.m.

November 8; December 8; January 3, February 21; March 7, 21

Meet at south end of McHenry Dam Parking

Enjoy migrating ducks, waders, raptors, songbirds and other birds of autumn! Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides or borrow ours. Walk length and time varies from 1 - 3+ hours with weather & luck in birding! Walks are co-sponsored by McHenry County Audubon and led by its members. Geared to adults (& attentive kids 7 yrs. & up)

Reservations are requested - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

Dried Prairie Flower Arranging at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Saturday, November 8 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Learn the craft of flower arranging using native prairie plants. Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki (who worked briefly as a floral arranger way back in high school) is joined by floral arranger and Prairie Gardener Volunteer Sharon Loris as co-instructors. Bring a favorite basket or other decorative container. Friends of Volo Bog provide the flowers and other needed materials. Ages 12 - adult are welcome. Reservations are requested - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

Of Bogs & Books Discussion group meets at

Volo Bog State Natural Area

Second Saturdays of each month 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.Adults share morning coffee & snacks over a discussion of nature, science & environmental readings.

November 8: Henry Chandler Cowles: Pioneer Ecologist by Victor M. Cassidy

December 13: Listening to Cougar by Marc Bekoff

January 10: Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution - and How It Can Renew America by Thomas L. Friedman

January participants choose spring selections

February 14: Where the Wild Things Were: Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators by William Stolzenburg

Reservations are requested - Drop-ins welcome. For book review and extend info, please request by reply email.

ShutterBugs of Volo Bog

A Photography Club on Third Wednesdays of the Month 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

November 19; January 21; February 18

The ShutterBugs of Volo Bog's meetings include how-to workshops, guest speakers & member competitions. Non-members are invited to attend but membership is required to compete. No reservations needed.

Astronomy Nights at Volo Bog

with the Lake County Astronomical Society LNCI!

Third Fridays of each month at 8:30 p.m. - open

November 21; January 16; February 20

The Lake County Astronomical Society meets at Volo Bog on the 3rd Friday of each month except December. A 7:30 p.m. business meeting is followed by an indoor presentation at 8:30 p.m. and viewing if skies are clear about 9:30 p.m. The public is generally welcome! LCAS memberships are available. No reservations needed.

"After the Fall" - A Tree Walk at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Saturday, November 22 10:00 a.m.-12 noon LNCI!

Bark and buds, twigs and form, fallen nuts and other clues help to reveal a tree's identity "after the fall." This walk led by Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki is a great way to enjoy a brisk late autumn day! Geared to adults and interest youth ages 12 & up. Reservations are requested - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

Winter Wetland Botany at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Saturday, December 6 LNCI!

This workshop will focus on trees, shrubs and the dried remains of the flowering plants that persist. The indoor morning session addresses wetland ecology and will include individual hands-on study. After lunch, the afternoon is spent along Volo Bog’s boardwalk for first-hand observations and sharing. Geared to adults but interested youth are encouraged to attend. Geared to adults and interested youth ages 12 & up. Reservations are requested - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

Moraine Meanders at Moraine Hills State Park

Fourth Saturdays* of most months LNCI! 10 am - 12 Noon LNCI!

December 28 Meet at Whitetail Prairie Parking

January 25 Meet at Northern Woods Parking (*a Sunday)

February 28 Meet Park Office Parking

Moraine Meanders explore nature throughout the seasons in a variety of habitats. The surprise theme each month is based on "What's Happening Now!" Nature Activities are woven into these morning hikes making them ideal for the kids and the Young-at-Heart. All ages are welcome. No Reservations needed.

Winter Ecology Hike at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Sunday, December 28 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. LNCI!

Join Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki to discover a variety of unique adaptation plants and animals have to survive the cold. Hibernation, supercooling, galls, snow fleas, and animal tracks all will be discussed on this hike. So bundle up and be prepared! Ages 7 - adult. Reservations are requested - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

Animal Tracking at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Sunday, January 4 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. LNCI!

Learn to recognize animal's tracks by the way they walk as well as by their footprints. Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki will lead this indoor/outdoor session so be prepared for the weather. Ages 5 to adult are welcome. Reservations are requested - Limited drop-ins welcome but program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior.

Volo Bog's WinterFest to feature Live Music

Sunday, January 11 12 noon - 4 p.m. LNCI!

Sponsored by the Friends of Volo Bog at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Looking for a great combination of indoor and outdoor fun in mid January? WinterFest is a long-standing event at Volo Bog featuring live music, photo contest awards, and winter- theme and other crafts indoors ,while outdoors winter bog hikes, and snow permitting - snow sculpting contests and cross-country skiing, may be enjoyed throughout the afternoon.

The WinterFest Agenda:

INDOORS beginning at Noon:

Top of Each Hour: Live Music at the top of each hour in 45 minutes sets.

On the "45s": Photo contest Awards with Snow Sculpting awards at 3:45 p.m.

Crafts will be on-going on the second floor of the Visitor Center throughout the afternoon.

OUTDOORS

Tours of Volo Bog will be held five times beginning between 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Snow Sculpting - Kids, adults and families may work on their snow sculptures until 3:15 p.m. (Awards will be presented indoors at 3:45 p.m.)

Hiking & Skiing - Enjoy over five miles of winter trails during site hours from 8 am - 4 pm