Up-coming Programs

Friends of Moraine Hills State Park

Up-coming Programs

Volo Bog State Natural Area &

The Moraine Hills State Park

Explore Nature 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.

LNCI! Encouraging families to--- Leave No Child Inside!

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

Limited drop-ins welcome but... program may be cancelled if minimum registration is not met 24 hours prior. The following list is provided in chronological order, based on the next activity time. Some programs repeat monthly while others are one-time activities. Locations and other information is available at the end of the list.

Guided Tours of Volo Bog

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

Explore Illinois' only remaining open-water quaking bog where the trees move with your steps, plants eat bugs and other strange things occur! Carnivorous pitcher plants are easy to spot if the snow is not too deep. Naked tamarack branches sometimes play host to crossbills and long-eared owls. Animal tracks reveal secretive residents. All ages are welcome. No reservations needed, except.... Groups of 10 or more, please phone for 815-344-1294 to arrange a private group tour. Public tours last about one hour. For more information, phone 815-344-1294 or visit Volo Bog State Natural Area at http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R2/VOLOBOG.HTM

No tours/Visitor Center Closed over NYE/NYD weekend - Site closed New Years Day

~~Astronomy Nights at Volo Bog State Natural Area~~ LNCI!

Third Fridays 8:30 p.m. - open

February 17; March 16

The Lake County Astronomical Society meets at Volo Bog SNA on the 3rd Friday of each month except December. A business meeting is held at 7:30 p.m. followed by an indoor presentation at 8:30 p.m. and viewing if skies are clear at about 9:30 p.m. The public is always welcome - no registration required. Visit www.LCAS-Astronomy.org

~~Introduction to Snowshoeing at Moraine Hills State Park~~ Booked!

Saturday, January 21 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. Meet at Park Nature Center

Snowshoe instructor Bob Caniglia will share all sorts of useful information beginning with how to select the right snowshoes! Mr. Caniglia will discuss proper dress and reveal the best local trails to give it a try. If you already own snowshoes, bring them along. If not, you may borrow from Caniglia. Do not buy snowshoes just for the class - wait until after learning how to make the best purchase. If snow allows, the later half of the class session is outside to practice! Geared to adults and youth 12 and up.

Program is free! Donations happily accepted by Friends of Moraine Hills State Park.

Group Size is Limited - Preregistration is Required through Volo Bog SNA at 815-344-1294 or dnr.volobog@illinois.gov

Animal Tracking at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Sunday, January 22 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Explore how different animals walk to learn their track patterns. Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki will also discuss prints, scat and other sign helpful in discovering the many mammals (and birds) that are out & about in the winter landscape. Come dressed for indoor/outdoor learning. Geared to Adults & Kids 5 & older. Reservations requested at dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or 815-344-1294.

Bird Walks at Volo Bog State Natural Area LNCI!

Saturdays & Sundays 8:00 a.m.

January 29; February 25; March 11

Volo Bog SNA's bird feeders present a nice way to wrap-up birding along the trail. From the warmth of the Visitor Center, watch for American tree sparrows, winter goldfinches, chickadees, cardinals, nuthatches and juncos. The trails may reveal surprises such as northern shrike, winter wrens, and in some winters, bluebirds, crossbills and long-eared owls. Other more familiar winter residents include downy & hair woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, crows and blue jays. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides or borrow from the leader. Walk length and time varies from 1 - 3+ hours with weather & luck in birding! Co-sponsored by McHenry County Audubon Visit www.McHenryAudubon.org Meet in the Parking Lot Adults and attentive kids age 6 and up are welcome. Registrations is requested at 815-344-1294 or dnr.volobog@illinois.gov

Bird Walks at McHenry Dam LNCI!

Saturdays &/or Sundays 8:00 a.m.

February 4, March 3

Winter sightings include occasional bald eagles along the Fox River. Juncos, goldfinches, brown creepers and tree sparrows are among those found feeding in the marshes, prairies & woods along the two-mile "yellow" trail. 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! Co-sponsored by McHenry County Audubon - visit www.McHenryAudubon.org Adults and attentive kids age 6 and up are welcome. Meet at south end of McHenry Dam Parking. Registrations is requested at 815-344-1294 or dnr.volobog@illinois.gov

Marsh Walk at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Saturday, February 4 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Explore Volo Bog's Marsh Moat from atop the ice! Discover muskrat and beaver lodges, long-unwavering coyote tracks and subtle signs of mice and owls. Wear warm boots and dress for the weather in layers. Bring binoculars or borrow ours. Geared to adults and youth 10 and up.

Meet at Visitor Center

Group size is limited - Preregistration is Required at 815-344-1294 or dnr.volobog@illinois.gov

Volo Bog Youth Art Guild has Openings! LNCI!

Meets First Sunday of each month (except January) from 9:30 am - 12:00 noon

February 5; March 4; April 1

Ages 10 - 17 welcome

Limited Class Size

Nature Focused & includes outdoor and indoor time each month

Different Adult Artist introduces a new medium each month

$30.00 Annual Fee covers basic materials; additional material fees apply

For more info contact Volo Bog at dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or 815-344-1294

Veterans Conservation Corp Chapter at

Volo Bog State Natural Area, Moraine Hills State Park & McHenry Dam

Saturday, February 11 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Meet at VBSNA Visitor Center

Wednesday, Februrary 29 Depart VBSNA @ 9:30 a.m. Return about 1:00 p.m.

The Veterans Conservation Corps combined chapter continues their Bird House Building Project. February 11 will be spent readying for the February 29 outreach Field Trip to the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center where members will enlist the help of patients in assembling the bird houses. The group will also discuss ideas for upcoming projects.

The Veterans Conservation Corps is a joint program from the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. To join the VCC team, sign up for an upcoming meeting, or to just learn more, contact Stacy Iwanicki at 815-344-1294 or dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.

Book Discussions at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Second Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Of Bogs & Books is an informal gathering of adults who share morning coffee & snacks over discussion of nature, science & environmental readings. 189 titles by 160 authors have been discussed since establishment in 1994.

Upcoming selections are:

February 11 - Becoming Animal: An Earthly Cosmology by David Abram

March 10 - Coyote at the Kitchen Door - Living with Wildlife in Suburbia by Stephen DeStefano

April 14 - When the Killing's Done: A Novel by T. C. Boyle

April's participants choose Summer Selections

May 12 - The Story of Stuff - How Our Obsessoin with Stuff is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and our Health - and a Vision for Change by Annie Leonard

See our attached flyer with book reviews of the spring selections; Ask for our list of all the books we've read so far!

Registration is requested at 815-344-1294 or dnr.volobog@illinois.gov Drop-ins are welcome too.

Catch us at the Great Outdoors Expo in Woodstock

March 3 & 4

Check it out at www.GreatOutdoorsExpo.net

We're Illinois Department of Natural Resources & Friends!

Bluebird Workshops at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Saturday, March 17

9:30 a.m - 12:00 Noon - Monitors' Review - For experienced/existing monitors to share thoughts and ideas

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - An introduction to Bluebird Monitoring - for potential new monitors throughout Lake and McHenry Counties, and anybody interested in learning more about bluebird monitoring.

Bluebirds are little, soft-spoken thrushes, related to robins - not to be confused with those noisy jays related to crows. Dependent on nest cavities historically excavated by woodpeckers, these little "gems of blue" now depend heavily on bird houses and the efforts of humans that love them. Monitors throughout North America are responsible for their amazing comeback. Monitors are being sought for a variety of state and county sites. Workshop led by Lake County Blue Bird Coordinator Walt Sivertsen. Ages 11 - Adult welcome. Younger family members may subsequently participate with their adult in monitoring. Registration Required at dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or 815-344-1294.

Annual Midwest Crane Count Monitors Workshop at Volo Bog State Natural Area (McHenry County)

Sunday, March 18 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Citizen scientists are sought to go out in the pre-dawn hours of April 14 to count cranes. But first, new monitors are encouraged to attend this training. McHenry County's Crane Count Coordinator Stacy Iwanicki leads the workshop and coordinates the monitoring sites. Numerous sites are available in McHenry County. A few may be available in Lake County but most of these are taken. More info may be available at the workshop. Ages 15 - Adult welcome to workshop. Younger family members are welcome to participate in the April count. Registration Required at dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or 815-344-1294.

The Tamarack Shop at Volo Bog SNA

Open Fridays, 12 noon - 3:00 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

(And by luck and chance otherwise ;0)!

The Tamarack Shop features a nice selection of nature-related items including nature books & field guides,

fold-out ID cards, t-shirts, Volo Bog Ball Caps, puppets, music & nature sounds CDs and more!

Run by the Friends of Volo Bog, members save 10% on most items.

Memberships start at only $10.00!!! Find a printable membership form at www.FriendsofVoloBog.org

Cash and Checks Only - sorry no plastic. Proceeds support programming and habitat projects at Volo Bog State Natural Area.

Volo Bog State Natural Area is an Illinois Department of Natural Resources site located in Ingleside on Brandenburg Road west off U.S. Highway 12 between State Highways 120 and 134. For program reservations, contact 815-344-1294 or dnr.volobog@illinois.gov

Moraine Hills State Park and McHenry Dam are an Illinois Department of Natural Resources complex located South of McHenry on River Road between State Highways 120 and 176. For reservations for programs at Moraine Hills, please contact Volo Bog at 815-344-1294 or dnr.volobog@illinois.gov For information on the park itself, please phone 815-385-1624.

Visit our sites' Friends Groups & Associates:

www.FriendsofVoloBog.org

www.FriendsofMoraineHillsStatePark.org

www.ShutterBugsofVoloBog.org

www.McHenryAudubon.org

www.lcas-astronomy.org

www2.illinois.gov/veterans/programs/Pages/conservation-corps.aspx

www.chicagowilderness.org

www.kidsoutside.info

LNCI!

Leave No Child Inside!

Stacy L. Iwanicki