March 2008
Edward Abbey Night
Thursday, March 13, 6:30-8:00 pm
Edward Abbey passed away 19 years ago on March 14. We will honor his passing by the showing of the video, “Edward Abbey: A Voice in the Wilderness.” When he died in 1989 at the age of 62, the American West lost one of its most eloquent and passionate advocates. Through his novels, essays, letters and speeches, Abbey consistently voiced the belief that the West was in danger of being developed to death, and the solution lay in the preservation of wilderness. This documentary, part biography, part tribute, is a look back at Abbey’s life as remembered by sixteen of his closest friends and family members. Images of places that he loved and defended so fiercely are woven throughout the program. After the video we will share readings, quotes and thoughts about or from Abbey that people have brought with them to the program. No fee. 1-815-335-2915
Spring Awakening Gathering
Saturday, March 15, starting at 3:00 pm
At the “Pec Barn” located within the Pecatonica River Forest Preserve
Enjoy the celebration of the coming spring season and have fun with the whole family.
3:00-4:30 pm - Sugar Maple Hike ~ FREE! Join Severson Dells and Winnebago County Forest Preserve District staff to learn more about the how’s and why’s of sugar mapling. Help tap some trees and follow the path of the sap from tree to syrup. Stay for the pot luck and enjoy some maple syrup on frozen custard. (Thank you to the Culver’s of Winnebago owner Jim Fingland for providing the frozen custard.)
4:45-5:45 pm - Community Supper ~ FREE! Enjoy the hard work and great recipes of the folks from the region at this pot luck dinner. Bring your own table ware and dish to pass and take in the feast. Severson Dells will provide lemonade and coffee for drinks as well as frozen custard with maple syrup. Please call if you plan to attend so that we can have plenty for all. 1-815-335-2915
6:45 pm - Witness a Prairie Fire ~ FREE! The prairie fire is one of the most exciting occurrences of the spring. If conditions are right, we will burn the restored prairie east of the Pec Barn. The prairie is burned to manage the prairie so that it remains in a quality state. As the sun is setting, view this incredible spectacle as flames reach high into the evening sky. It promises to be one of those nights that will be etched into your mind for a long time.
7:30-9:30 pm - Old-fashioned Barn Dance. Fee: $5/individual; $15/max. for family: Come out and enjoy this fun way to welcome the coming spring. We all will be having such a great time it will seem like the barn is dancing. The whole family is welcome to come and participate or watch. One needs not to worry about dancing abilities, only dancing attitude. Music will be provided by “Chirps and Friends” with dance calling done by Dot Kent.
Dot Kent and Lynn “Chirps” Smith share music and dance with lovers of old-time traditional fiddle music across the country. Chirps has played with the Indian Creek Delta Boys (declared the official state stringband of Illinois in 1981), the Chicago Barn Dance Company, and the nationally known Volo Bogtrotters. Dot calls dances that get folks up and moving to the music, helping a roomful of individuals weave patterns on the floor. She chooses from a variety of dance formations, including circles, lines, contras and squares, from multiple sources to create a festive patchwork for all to enjoy. She will also introduce all comers to the basics of old-time freestyle clogging.
Lynn “Chirps” Smith was born and raised in downstate Illinois where he learned much of his repertoire of fiddle tunes from old-timers, such as Harvey “Pappy” Taylor and Noah Beavers, who learned many tunes before the advent of radio and records. As a result, the tunes he plays are usually new to the ears of even the most avid collectors of Southern, Appalachian, New England and Texas fiddle music. His midwestern fiddling style is melodic, notey, rhythmically straightforward, and highly danceable. You won’t want to miss them.
Spring Equinox Spectacular
Saturday, March 22, 8:00-10:30 am
Who would have ever “thunk it,” that this event would have turned into an annual blast, but it did! At this year’s activities we are holding a potluck breakfast. You will be asked to bring potluck breakfast foods or if you wish join in with one of your own Dutch oven favorites and become one of the “Dutch Oven Chefs of Severson Dells.” We will go on the annual spring equinox hike to the skunk cabbage patch. Come and find out what it is all about. You must call before Thursday, March 20 to attend. 1-815-335-2915
The Tuesday Morning Butterfly Breakfast Group
Tuesday, March 25, 9:00-11:30 am
The TMBBG headed up by Jeanie and Bill Fruin will kick off their first workday on this day. No, we will not be eating butterflies for breakfast, the intent is to keep up with the butterfly garden so that it is looking its best all season long. Continental breakfast (or at least coffee and treats) for all those that call to attend. Other Tuesdays will be lined up at this gathering. Come for it all or for part of the morning, have fun, socialize and take pride in providing habitat for butterflies, hummingbirds, and who knows what other visitors. 1-815-335-2915
April 2008
Volunteer Host/Hostess Training
Thursday, April 10, 6:00-7:00 pm
Interested in becoming a Severson Dells volunteer? We need hosts/hostesses to staff the nature center on weekends. If you would like to learn more about becoming a host/hostess or know someone else who would, please give Kathy a call at 1-815-335-2915 for more information or to sign up for the training session.
Live Bat Encounter — Critter Day
Saturday, April 19, 3:30 pm
Sponsored in the name of Dr. Carl Hartman, Critter Day is an annual program to introduce folks to some of nature’s finest animals in order to give us a better understanding of their importance. Dr. Hartman was a scientific pioneer and his investigations into the nature and habitats of the opossum have not been surpassed. He held a central position among the workers in the field of reproductive physiology during the first half of the 20th century.
During the Live Bat Encounter learn about bats from around the world up-close and personal! Rob Mies, TV personality and Director of the Organization for Bat Conservation, speaks about the benefits of bats, why we need to conserve them, and what you can do to help these unique mammals.
Step into the mysterious world of bats and explore their benefits, habitats, and nocturnal strategies. Come meet a local bat from North America and hear its high-pitched sound with a “bat detector.” You will also meet a Straw-colored fruit bat from Africa, and an Asian. The finale is the largest bat in the world, the Gigantic Flying Fox Bat from Malaysia. This beautiful bat has nearly a 6-foot wingspan!
Rob Mies is a conservation biologist, bat expert, and author. He has appeared on many television shows including The Ellen Degeneres Show, The Today Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Martha Stewart. Rob is the co-author of the first field guide to the bats of the United States and Canada, “Stokes Beginners Guide to Bats.” His research includes work with the endangered Indiana Bat of the United States, endangered Rodrigues Fruit Bat in the Indian Ocean, and the threatened Spectacled Flying Fox Bat in Australia.
The underlying message of the presentation is about the unique wildlife biodiversity around the world and the importance of protecting it from extinction. Bats are used as a way to interest, excite, and motivate the audience to learn more, take action in their backyard, and work globally to safeguard the earth’s natural world. This program is FREE to all. Please call to reserve a seat: 1-815-335-2915.
Slowing Down To Be With Nature
Sunday, April 27, 1:00-4:00 pm
This 3 hour workshop conducted by Cliff Knapp will focus on a social movement designed to slow down people who are caught up in the rapid pace of living and want to change. This movement is evident in some segments of education, the food industry, city planning, business, and leisure. We will examine the importance of slowing down by immersing ourselves in the natural world. As part of the workshop, we will spend about one hour in meditative walking or sitting alone in the woods and fields of Severson Dells. We will set our own goals for that time and reflect on and share what we gained from the experience. We will test Gandhi’s statement: “There is more to life than increasing its speed.” Reservations are required, please call 1-815-335-2915, $3 fee.
Cliff has been an experiential educator for most of his 40-year career, working in K-12 schools and at the university level. He has held positions as a science teacher, outdoor education director, and professional of outdoor/environmental education at Southern Illinois and Northern Illinois. He with friend Thomas E. Smith edited a book entitled, Exploring the Power of Solo, Silence and Solitude. (Available at Severson Dells Nature Center.) Currently, he is an educational consultant, author, parent, grandparent, reader, writer and thinker.
May 2008
Early Morning Bird Walk
Saturday, May 3, 8:00-10:30 am
Join volunteer staff naturalist Phil Schwab on this tour of Severson Dells Forest Preserve looking for early migrating birds. We hope to see Brown Thrashers, Eastern Bluebirds, Yellow-rumped Warblers and much more. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars if you have them. Meet at the Nature Center. No fee. 1-815-335-2915
Bluebells and Blueberry Muffin Walk at Oak Ridge Forest Preserve
Saturday, May 3, 9:00 am-12:00 noon
Co-sponsored by Severson Dells Nature Center and Natural Land Institute
Meet co-hosts Don Miller and Jill Kennay at the parking lot at Oak Ridge Forest Preserve and hike back to the acres of bluebells of Oak Ridge along the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River. Once seated among the bells of blue we will munch on the blueberry muffins. This is one of the many great places protected by the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District that you should see. The hike will be moderate to difficult because of distance and possible wet conditions. Reservations are a must! 1-815-335-2915
Early Evening Bird Walk
Tuesday, May 13, 5:00 pm
Join volunteer naturalist Phil Schwab as he leads this early evening hike to look for resident as well as migratory birds found at Severson Dells Forest Preserve. This is a great time of day to see numerous species of birds. Bring binoculars if you have them. Meet at the shelterhouse. No fee. Call 1-815-335-2915 to register.
Trip to Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Saturday, May 24
Visit Richard Bong State Recreation Area in western Kenosha County. This Wisconsin property encompasses 4,515 acres of mixed brush, oak woodland, wetland, savanna, remnant prairie and grassland habitats. Visit prime grassland birding habitat with DNR naturalist Beth Goeppinger. Beth has been at Richard Bong for 15 years, has an undergrad degree from UW-Stevens Point and a Master’s degree from Northern Illinois University. She is an avid birder and naturalist and has been conducting grassland bird, marsh monitoring and bird blitz surveys on property for years.
Richard Bong SRA is a Watchable Wildlife site and was the second Important Bird Area dedicated in Wisconsin. Grassland species guaranteed include: E. meadowlark, E. Kingbird, Bobolink and Savannah sparrow, likely species include Federally Threatened Henslow’s sparrow, Sedge wren, Grasshopper sparrow and Upland Sandpiper. Depending on time and group interest, it’s possible we will visit wetlands and/or brush habitat if there are some additional target birds. Along the way, be prepared to look at plants, insects and anything else that catches our attention! Wear long pants and boots. Bring insect repellent, a lunch, water, and binoculars — if you have them, and a camera if you want. Call for more information including meeting place and times. 1-815-335-2915
