December 2009
Silent Lights
Luminary Walk, Refreshments and Song
Friday, December 11 AND Saturday, December 12, 2009, 6:00-9:00 pm each night
Stroll the 2/3 of one mile hard-surfaced trail at Severson Dells Forest Preserve as it is lit up with hundreds of luminaries. Inside the Nature Center enjoy a cup of hot chocolate (be kind to the earth and bring your own mug) by the fireplace and music by Severson Dells’ own “house band” Casey’s Fancy and local bluegrass/old-time country band Turtle Creek Ramblers.
Turtle Creek Ramblers: Friday, December 11, 6:30-8:30 pm
Casey’s Fancy: Saturday, December 12, 6:30-8:30 pm
No fee to stroll the path.
Fee to enjoy the musical entertainment:
$3 members of “Friends of Severson Dells” $15/family max.; $5/non-members, $20/family max.
(if you’re not a current member, you may join that night!)
Call 1-815-335-2915 for directions or more information.
Winter Solstice Celebration
Sunday, December 20, 7:00 pm
Four Winds Center for Spiritual Ecology, cosponsored by Severson Dells Nature Center, will lead a celebration of the winter solstice. We have been journeying into the dark for the past 6 months, culminating in this the longest night of the year. It is here that we gather the fierce wisdom to move once again into the light, igniting our passion for this world. No fee. For information: 1-815-335-2915
Our House is Your House
Tuesday, December 29 and Wednesday, December 30
Not necessarily an open house, but a house that is open. From 9:00 am-3:30 pm, each day we invite you (people of all ages) to come out to Severson Dells and just hang out! We will have hot chocolate for the kids and coffee available for the adults, plus snacks as well. Inside enjoy the fire or have some fun putting together one of our large nature floor puzzles. Or maybe take a good book and curl up by the window and keep one eye on the birds at the feeders.
We will have the puppets out for play and several nature crafts to idle away the time. Oh yeah … the woods and prairie will be waiting for you to frolic in them. Two days that you can go OFF trail, ski if you wish, or build some snow caves. We bet you can even talk one of the staff into having some snow fun with you. No fee - only lots of unstructured fun. Call 1-815-335-2915 for details.
January 2010
Reading the Signs: Tracks and Scats
Saturday, January 9, 9:00-10:30 am
Who went there? Where were they going? What were they doing? These and other questions can provoke thought on animal lives and encourage us to learn more. This program, geared for the family, will teach participants to look, think and question in regards to the signs animals leave behind. Come prepared to spend part of the time outdoors. Free to members of “Friends of Severson Dells.” Non-members will be charged $2 per person, with a $5 maximum per family. Please call to register. 1-815-335-2915
A Leopold Moon Lake Gathering
Saturday, January 9, 4:00 pm - ????
at Rock Cut State Park
hosted by Severson Dells Nature Center
Rock Cut State Park at the ‘cabin on the lake’
Meet: At the parking lot on the west side of the lake just before the dam (follow the road in toward the fishing pier).
We’ll take a short (1/2 mile) hike through the winter landscape to the ‘cabin on the lake’. There we will share readings of Aldo Leopold to celebrate the anniversary of his birthday. We will also enjoy hot chocolate around the fire with friends and new acquaintances. Maybe we’ll even get lucky and see some wildlife or hear owls calling out. If there is moderate snow, hiking may be difficult.
For further information or to make your reservation contact Don Miller at Severson Dells 1-815-335-2915.
Appreciating Fire and Fire Making
Saturday, January 30, 9:00-10:30 am
Fire is one of the world’s most basic and powerful forces. It can be both a friend and a foe. We will explore fire as a friend and learn how to make fires using early technologies. This workshop is conducted by Cliff Knapp. Cliff is a professor emeritus in the Teaching and Learning Department of Northern Illinois University. Call 1-815-335-2915 for more information and to register.
February 2010
Tall Grass and Little Roads
Tuesday, February 2, 7:00 pm
Join Dan and Barbara Williams for the highlights of several “blue highways” tours of the tallgrass prairie region. We’ll travel the back roads from Minnesota, down through South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas seeking out some of the gems of preserved prairies and watching for birds and other wildlife along the way.
Dan and Barbara have been birdwatchers and prairie enthusiasts for more than twenty years. They do some random photography and are easily distracted by every dung beetle, dragonfly and funny looking plant along the way. So far, they have managed to avoid driving the car more than a few feet off the road while watching birds of prey overhead. Call 1-815-335-2915 to confirm.
Winter Bird Hike
Saturday, February 6, 8:00-10:30 am
Join volunteer naturalist Phil Schwab at Severson Dells Forest Preserve as we begin the walk by identifying birds at the feeders. We then will walk outside with the hopes of seeing Winter Wrens, Brown Creepers, Tree Sparrows, Purple Finches, or something completely unexpected. Meet at the Nature Center. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather. No fee. Call 1-815-335-2915 to confirm.
Barren Wasteland or American Serengeti
Tuesday, February 9, 6:30 pm
Join Ann Whitney on her trip to the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge has been called a “Barren Wasteland” by some, and the “American Serengeti” by others. It is the wildest place left in America. Three airplane rides and 85 miles of river rafting later, she can definitely tell you it is not a barren wasteland. It is teeming with life: birds, butterflies, bugs, flowers and mammals. The presentation will include many of the over 350 photos of this unique wildlife refuge taken along the way and will show the dynamic spectacle that takes place during the 24 hour daylight of the short arctic spring and summer. Call 1-815-335-2915 to confirm.
Sweetheart of a Chili Feast
Saturday, February 13, 12:30-2:30 pm
Join in with our Coyote Clan families at Sugar River Forest Preserve with your favorite chili concoction and enjoy the day. An escape like no other! Meet at the Sugar River Forest Preserve front gate and be prepared to walk down to the beautiful Riverview stone shelterhouse. There we will eat, talk and decide upon the course of action for a short river bluff hike. What a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Please call to let us know you are planning to attend. 1-815-335-2915
The Rise, Fall, and Comeback of the Great Plains Bison
Sunday, February 14, 2:00-4:00 pm
The Bison’s story will be told through examining artifacts and firsthand accounts that reveal this animal’s majesty. The bison population at its peak was estimated to be as high as 60 million animals. Then human predators began to kill the bison in numbers that gradually decimated their population. Before they became extinct in the United States, a few people came to their senses and saved the species. This presentation is conducted by Cliff Knapp, professor emeritus in the Teaching and Learning Department of Northern Illinois University. Call 1-815-335-2915 to confirm.
Following Fall Along the Rockies Through the National Parks
Tuesday, February 16, 7:00 pm
Journey from Minnesota to the Badlands as fall approaches, up to both parts of the Teddy Roosevelt National Park, by Pompey’s Pillar, across the Bitterroot Pass to Yellowstone. Continue southward to the Grand Tetons, Jackson Hole, and through the Flaming Gorge National Recreational Area to Vernal, Utah. Onward from Vernal to Arches National Park and on to Mesa Verde National Park to check the ancient cliff dwellings. Traveling the mountain roads past Silverton and Cimarron we journey to Gunnison, Colorado.
Along the way you will encounter black bear, coyote, prairie dogs, mountain sheep, moose, elk and mule deer. Golden eagle, black rosy finch, raven, mountain chickadee, red crossbill, Cassin’s finch, scrub jay, magpie, Steller’s jay, and other birds are seen. Beautiful mountains, lakes and streams are curtained by blazing yellow aspens that light up the scenes.
Jack and Joyce Armstrong will present the journey. Jack is a member of the Severson Dells Nature Center Board of Directors and a commissioner for the Rockford Park District. He enjoys capturing beautiful parts of nature with his camera. Joyce is president of the North Central Illinois Ornithological Society. Both have traveled extensively through the west
many times in their Eurovan camper. Call 1-815-335-2915 to confirm.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail
Sunday, February 21, 2:30 pm
In 2006, David Burke fulfilled his dream to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail is a 2,175 mile footpath that extends from Springer Mountain in Georgia through fourteen states ending at Mount Katahdin in Maine. He successfully completed this journey over six months while at times encountering harsh weather conditions such as snow, rain, cold and heat as well as sickness.
David will deliver a presentation on his experience including a slide show of over 100 photos taken along the way. The presentation will include details on his experience, how he planned the trip, some of his reasons for deciding to do the hike and stories about the many great people he met along the way. The presentation will include a question and answer session as well.
David and his wife Rachel currently reside in Palatine, IL. They enjoy the pleasures of the outdoors and in their spare time bike and walk many miles together.
