The Conservationist | Fall 2012 by Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

t he

Conse nserrvationist

A Quarterly Publication of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Fall 2012

from the president To many, fall is a symbol of change. The landscape is shifting hues, and summer birds are making their way to their southern homes. We’re even getting ready to push back our clocks. As I reflect on recent events at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, I feel that in many ways the District is experiencing its own season of change. Over the past few months, we bid “happy trails” to a number of well-respected, longtime employees as they embarked on new adventures through retirement. With heavy hearts we also marked the passing of two dear coworkers and our general counsel. And following the November election, we will see at least three new faces on our seven-member Board of Commissioners. I want to assure you, though, that throughout all of this, the very mission upon which we base all of our decisions, actions and efforts will remain unchanged as it has for almost 100 years. As president, I am adamant that the 25,000 acres of forest preserve land that the District protects for the citizens of DuPage County today will remain preserved well beyond my tenure. In fact, this year the Board of Commissioners provided an extra level of protection to five of our highest-quality natural areas by approving their designation as Illinois Nature Preserves and is submitting two more areas for special state status. Additionally, our comprehensive 15-year financial plan, wise investment practices and AAA bond rating continue to position us in excellent financial shape for the future, and soon, our new nonprofit support foundation will begin to actively seek private and corporate donations, sponsorships and grants to offset the cost of operations for taxpayers. I am honored to be president of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County during this transitional period and promise that I will ensure that the District maintains its national reputation as being the best of the best and a leader in its field. I remain steadfast in my determination to leave this legacy not only for the next generation but for all those that follow as well.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS President D. “Dewey” Pierotti Jr., Addison Commissioners Marsha Murphy, Addison — District 1 Joseph F. Cantore, Oakbrook Terrace — District 2 Linda Painter, Hinsdale — District 3 Michael Formento, Glen Ellyn — District 4 Carl Schultz, Aurora — District 5 Roger G. Kotecki, Warrenville — District 6

BOARD MEETINGS For schedules and agendas, visit dupageforest.org.

I THE CONSERVATIONIST Fall 2012, Vol. 48, No. 4 Interim Editor Beth Schirott Associate Editor Jayne Bohner Editorial Assistants Johanna Biedron Audra Mason Bonnet Bonnie Olszewski Graphic Designer Deanna Eichenauer

I FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF DU PAGE COUNTY P.O. Box 5000, Wheaton, IL 60189 (630) 933-7200, TTY (800) 526-0857 dupageforest.org

D. “Dewey” Pierotti Jr. President, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Subscriptions to The Conservationist, a Forest Preserve District of DuPage County quarterly publication, are free for DuPage County residents and $5 per year for nonresidents. To subscribe, call (630) 933-7085 or email forest@dupageforest.org.

contents Vol. 48, No. 4 | Fall 2012

4 News & Notes 6 An Evolution in Recreation 6

8 Fall Calendar 18 Body Armor 20 Explore 22 Directory

23 Map

On the cover: Marsh meadow grasshopper © Alice Abela

OUR Mission 18

To acquire and hold lands for the purpose of preserving the flora, fauna and scenic beauty for the education, pleasure and recreation of DuPage County citizens

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news & notes DISTRICT READIES TO REOPEN ROCKY GLEN The District expects to wrap up work along the banks of Sawmill Creek at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien this fall and reopen the Rocky Glen area and adjoining trails that closed during construction. In addition to stabilizing the banks, which had eroded after decades of runoff, the project created a rustic overlook atop a 50-foot bluff. In the future, interpretive signs will encourage visitors to enjoy the views from the overlook to minimize off-trail foot traffic, which also causes erosion.

KLINE CREEK RACKS UP RIBBONS AT COUNTY FAIRS At this summer’s DuPage County Fair, Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago received not only first-place honors for corn, oats and soybean entries but also recognition as “Champion Grain Exhibitor.” One of the farm’s Southdown yearling rams earned multiple honors, including “Grand Champion Ram” of the fair’s sheep show. Volunteers from the farm exhibited the first-place yearling again at the Kendall County Fair, where their efforts received “Reserve Champion Southdown Ram.”

STATE OKS GRANT TO SUPPORT WILLOWBROOK MASTER PLAN The District received approval from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to reassign $3 million of land-acquisition grant funds to support improvements at Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn. The money will help address an immediate need for additional wildlife-rehabilitation space as well as landscaping and infrastructure improvements that will prepare the site for the construction of a new visitor center and clinic.

LEAVING A LEGACY If you believe in conservation, education and recreation and would like to save on future federal estate taxes, please consider a tax-deductible gift to the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County in your estate plans. Proposed changes to tax laws for 2013 could significantly affect your estate, and revocable options, such as including the District in your will or designating the agency as the beneficiary of a percentage of your retirement plan assets, may benefit your heirs as well as the District. For a list of additional opportunities to discuss with your estate-planning attorney, call the Office of Fundraising and Development at (630) 871-6400.

The Conservationist

| Fall 2012

ROAD TO RESTORATION CONTINUES AT MAYSLAKE At Mayslake Hall at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, workers have restored ceilings and walls in the library and solarium of the 1920s mansion and installed electrical upgrades that will accommodate custom-reproduced light fixtures. Between the solarium and breezeway, a new custom-built door matches the room’s original windows.

DISTRICT WELCOMES ARCHERS, ECOLOGISTS AT BLACKWELL In August the District celebrated the opening of its multifaceted recreational area and the nearby Urban Stream Research Center at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville. The recreational area includes a new archery range, which replaces the temporary range at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville, a picnic shelter and a custom-designed fishing pier. Details are included in “An Evolution in Recreation” on Page 6. The research center, the only facility of its kind in Illinois, is an innovative hub for aquatic research where ecologists hope to study and raise native mussels and nongame fish for reintroduction into local waters. With the exception of special tours and educational programs, the research center, however, will not be open to the public.

MANY Thanks The Forest Preserve District thanks the following donors who contributed to its efforts between June 1 and Sept. 1. Business Event Sponsors AAA Art and Linda’s Wildflowers Body Connection Health and Wellness Center Canine Obedience Training, Inc. Chiro One Wellness Centers DuPage Medical Group Farmers Insurance Group Fred Astaire Dance Studio Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice Russell Chiropractic Care, SC Suburban Family Magazine Tom and Eddie’s WDCB West Suburban Living Magazine Gifts of Note Chauncey and Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation $70,000 — Maintenance of St. James Farm’s indoor arena Peabody Energy $25,000 — Restoration work at Mayslake Peabody Estate Chauncey and Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation $5,000 — Restoration of St. James Farm’s Chamossaire sculpture BP Foundation in honor of volunteer Patricia Banaszak $2,230 — Willowbrook Wildlife Center Illinois American Water $2,000 — Urban Stream Research Center The Gift of Carl Foundation $1,000 — Mighty Acorns Stephanie Harris $1,000 — Willowbrook Wildlife Center

SALES START SOON FOR 2013 PERMITS

MCDOWELL GROVE TRAIL PUSHES SOUTH

Annual permits for private boats, model aircraft, model boats and off-leash dog areas go on sale Dec. 3, 2012. Camping and picnic reservations begin Jan. 2, 2013. Call (630) 933-7248, or stop by District headquarters at Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton.

With the July opening of the 0.9-mile paved extension of the West Branch Riverway Trail, visitors can now travel from McDowell Grove Forest Preserve in Naperville south under Ogden Avenue and a set of railroad tracks to Naperville Park District’s Wil-O-Way Commons. The Forest Preserve District, Naperville and the Naperville Park District cooperatively acquired the land and funded the construction.

RESTORATION CONTINUES ALONG THE WEST BRANCH Efforts to remove thorium along the West Branch of the DuPage River within McDowell Grove Forest Preserve in Naperville concluded this summer, and the District is now working to reconstruct the riverbed. As a result, portions of the preserve will remain closed until early 2013. To date, over eight miles of waterway have been restored as part of this project. Crews have planted thousands of plugs to stabilize the banks, provide healthier habitat for wildlife and create inviting natural areas for anglers and paddlers alike. They’ve also strategically placed rocks throughout the riverbed to improve oxygen levels and aquatic habitat for fish and invertebrates.

STAY UPDATED YOUR WAY Sign up today for Forest Preserve District updates on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. (Look for DuPageForest on Twitter and YouTube.) For details and images on all forest preserve projects, visit “Plans and Projects” under “District News” at dupageforest.org, where you can also link to The Conservationist 24/7. And if you prefer to read The Conservationist online, email forest@dupageforest.org and have your mailed copy discontinued.

WARRENVILLE GROVE NOW OPEN Several improvements to Warrenville Grove Forest Preserve in Warrenville are now complete, including the construction of a wheelchair-accessible fishing overlook, outcrops for wildlife viewing and a 450-foot trail that connects the parking lot to two canoe launches along the West Branch of the DuPage River. The finished project also features an enhanced shoreline with native vegetation and boulders that provide improved aquatic habitat.

FOR MORE NEWS & NOTES, SEE PAGE 17.

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An Evolution in Recreation by JAY JOHNSON, OFFICE OF LAND MANAGEMENT

t’s interesting how things change over

The Conservationist

time. Between 1965 and 1973 Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville was home to one of the county’s few landfills. But just three years after the final trucks left and the hill was covered and seeded, the preserve opened to the public, and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County began the process of turning it into a recreational destination. Shortly after Blackwell opened in 1976, the public took full advantage of the newly constructed boat launch, campground, picnic area and many trails. These trails were originally grass-covered and often closed due to muddy conditions, so the District eventually converted them to limestone. There were other additions, too, but as with all change, not every development stuck. At one point, a large grassy area on the eastern shoreline of Silver Lake served as an open-air movie theater, which visitors called the “amphitheater.” But the popularity of movie nights dwindled thanks to a gadget called the VCR, and today the area is a picnic spot known as Hawthorne Grove. Blackwell also had a swim beach, which was a change of pace from the generic park district pools of the 1970s and 80s. But after the beach closed in 1984 (for operational reasons and not, as rumors | Fall 2012

have claimed, because the landfill had contaminated the water) the surrounding area stood dormant for many years. Unlike the amphitheater, the 40-acre hill, named Mount Hoy in honor of the family who owned the land in the 1850s, only increased in popularity. It became an 800-foot winter tubing run, scenic overlook and birding hot spot, where local birders have added migrating osprey, sharp-shinned hawks and bald eagles to their life lists. Initially seeded with Eurasian grasses, it’s now covered with big bluestem, side-oats grama, wild Canada rye, columbine, asters, sunflowers, goldenrods and other native grasses, flowers, shrubs and trees found naturally in shortgrass prairie habitats, helping it blend with the surrounding landscape. But since its opening, Blackwell’s most popular attraction has been the 62-acre Silver Lake. For years, it hosted weekend sailboaters, but these days canoes, kayaks, rowboats and fishing boats far outnumber those with sails, especially in summer when the boat-rental area is open. Local anglers often hit the water in search of the lake’s deep holes and shallows for the “big one,” which may be a largemouth bass or channel catfish or a more uncommon walleye or northern pike. Of course ice fishing has always been equally popular, and in 2013, weather permitting, Silver Lake will be the site of the District’s next “Hard-Water Classic” tournament.

Today, a popular archery range (left) and fishing pier on Sand Pond (above) stand in the shadow of Mount Hoy.

An open-air theater, swim beach and sailboat-filled Silver Lake were part of the early days of Blackwell.

But you might ask, “Whatever happened to that old swim beach?” Well, in 2004 the District realized that archery, a truly classical sport, was gaining ground but that there were no public facilities in all of DuPage. To address this void, it constructed a small range on the unused land near the old swim beach. Over time, it was evident that the area was not going to keep up with demand, so thanks to a matching grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the District started to plan for a bigger, better complex. Today, the archery range at Blackwell welcomes all skills and ages. The beginner range, enclosed on three sides with safety netting, has eight lanes and eight standard targets up to 25 yards. The advanced range has 11 lanes and 11 standard FITA targets up to 90 meters. And the wooded interactive range has nine lanes and 15 two-dimensional targets up to 60 yards. Each range has bow racks and limestone shooting lines with overshot and clear zones, and a common spectator area accommodates casual viewers as well as tournament crowds. The archery area is part of a larger 13-acre recreational destination that features a reservable 50-person picnic shelter, 3-acre grassy game area and new trailhead for the West Branch Regional Trail. The trail connects with other routes to take hikers, bikers, cross-country skiers and people on horseback

east to St. James Farm, Herrick Lake and Danada or south to Warrenville Grove and McDowell Grove forest preserves. The area near the archery range also features a new wheelchair-accessible fishing pier on the 4-acre catch-andrelease Sand Pond. District staff designed the irregularly shaped pier specifically to accommodate ranger-led clinics and different types of fishing. As you walk down the pier, to the left is a wide arch that allows anglers to spread out and access the water while gathering around an instructor. It’s ideal for teaching how to fish with a bobber and cast along the shore. The arch on the right side of the pier lines up with an underwater shelf, which makes it perfect for fishing with surface lures. At the end of the pier, anglers can cast into deeper waters with plenty of underwater structure. As I learned long ago with natural areas, diversity equals stability, and as Blackwell illustrates, the same applies to recreation. Constantly adapting to public needs and social trends, Blackwell strives to remain a relevant and popular recreational destination. This dynamic area has drawn visitors from miles around for over three decades, making it the most visited and diverse preserve in DuPage County year after year. Who would have thought that a dusty gravel pit would evolve into the model it is today? •

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fall calendar See pages 10 through 16 for program descriptions.

1 1 nov

28 30

29 31

28 29 oct

1 1 dec

25 30

26 31

23 30

24 31

October 1 Forest Fitness Walk Volunteer Native-Plant-Nursery Workday

16 Home-Schoolers Nature Hike

2 Archery for All Ages

19 Day at the Farm Field Trip FullersBird Fridays

5 FullersBird Fridays 6 Archery for Beginners Corn Harvest Halloween Night Walks Ticket Sales Begin Volunteer Restoration Workday 7 Archery for all Ages Corn Harvest Early Birders Volunteer Restoration Workday

20 Papermaking Workshop St. James Farm Walking Tours Volunteer Restoration Workday 21 Archery for All Ages The Many Values of Nature Muskie Basics Volunteer Restoration Workday 22 Day at the Farm Field Trip

8 Corn Harvest Forest Fitness Walk

23 Mayslake Lecture Series: Adventures in Radio Volunteer Native-Plant-Nursery Workday

9 Mayslake Lecture Series: The Nature of the Imagination Volunteer Native-Plant-Nursery Workday

26 Halloween Night Walks Volunteer Native-Plant-Nursery Workday

11 Archery for Active Adults 12 FullersBird Fridays 13 Geocaching Rambo Scramble St. James Farm Caboose Tours Volunteer Restoration Workday 14 Danada Fall Festival St. James Farm Caboose Tours 15 Forest Fitness Walk Volunteer Native-Plant-Nursery Workday 8

18 Day at the Farm Field Trip

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27 Botanical Printing Workshop Halloween Night Walks Make a Difference Day St. James Farm Caboose Tours Volunteer Restoration Workday 28 Geocaching Halloween Night Walks St. James Farm Caboose Tours 30 Volunteer Native-Plant-Nursery Workday

November 2 Volunteer Native-Plant-Nursery Workday 3 Predator Prowl Volunteer Restoration Workday 4 Cast-Iron Cooking 5 Forest Fitness Walk 6 Exploring Watercolors Begins 7 Nature Nuts for Preschoolers Begins

December 1 Acappellago Concert Talons and Claus Volunteer Restoration Workday 2 Archery for All Ages 7 Holiday Market Willowbrook Wildlife Center: A Closer Look 8 Deck the Yard With Snacks for Wildlife Holiday Market Volunteer Restoration Workday

10 Random Acts of Kindness Workday St. James Farm Caboose Tours Volunteer Restoration Workday When Darkness Falls

15 Bird-Count Field Trip Christmas on the Farm

11 Archery for All Ages St. James Farm Caboose Tours Volunteer Restoration Workday

16 Christmas on the Farm Make a Snake Ornament Music at Mayslake

12 Forest Fitness Walk

30 Night Hike

9 Volunteer Restoration Workday

15 Home-Schoolers Nature Hike WDCB Jazz Salon at Mayslake 17 St. James Farm Walking Tours Volunteer Restoration Workday 18 Volunteer Restoration Workday 19 Forest Fitness Walk 24 Holiday Sweets 25 Classical Notes at Mayslake Holiday Sweets 29 Owl Moon Over Mayslake

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fall calendar

Acappellago Concert

Archery for Active Adults

Enjoy the a cappella sounds of Acappellago as they perform “Escape to … A Midnight Clear.” All ages. $17 per adult; $14 per student or senior. For tickets, call (708) 484-3797, ext. 2.

Try your hand at archery at one of DuPage County’s most scenic preserves. Equipment provided. Ages 50 and up. Free. Registration begins Sept. 27. Call (630) 933-7248.

Dec 1

Oct 11

7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Mayslake

10 – 11:30 a.m.

Churchill Woods

Archery for All Ages Learn basic archery techniques. Equipment provided. Ages 7 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Registration begins two weeks prior. Call (630) 933-7248.

1890s Living Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago (630) 876-5900 Registration is not required for these free programs. SPOOKS AND SPECTERS OF THE 1890S HOUSE TOURS Tour the farmhouse and discover what folks in the 1890s thought about ghosts, spirits and fortunetelling. Oct. 4 – 29 Thursdays – Mondays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the hour

4 2 2 1 1

– – – – –

5:30 3:30 3:30 2:30 2:30

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

Churchill Woods Greene Valley Greene Valley Mayslake Mayslake

Archery for Beginners Discover the history of this classical sport, and learn about equipment and shooting techniques. Equipment provided. Ages 7 and up; under 18 with an adult. Free. Registration begins Sept. 24. Call (630) 933-7248. Oct 6

10:30 a.m. – noon

Blackwell

Bird-Count Field Trip

BLACKSMITHING DEMONSTRATIONS Stop by the wagon shed to see the blacksmith repair equipment and demonstrate the tools and techniques of the trade. Demonstrations ongoing.

Join fellow enthusiasts to search for and record resident birds for the DuPage Birding Club’s annual Christmas Bird Count. Ages 8 and up; under 14 with an adult. Free. Groups of 10 or more must register. Call (630) 293-1627.

Through Dec. 29 Saturdays 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Dec 15

MEET THE BEEKEEPERS Learn about beekeeping equipment and the important role that bees play in our food supply. Ask the beekeepers questions about honey and bees. Through Dec. 30 Sundays 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. CHRISTMAS MEMORIES HOUSE TOURS Enjoy the house decked in greens, savor the aroma of holiday treats, and see the table set for company. Dec. 1 – Jan. 7 Thursdays – Mondays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on the hour (except Dec. 24)

Oct 2 Oct 7 Oct 21 Nov 11 Dec 2

The Conservationist

| Fall 2012

8 – 11 a.m.

West Chicago Prairie

Botanical Printing Workshop Learn the art of using organic materials such as leaves and flowers to print on handmade paper. Adults only. $60 per person. To register, call (630) 206-9566. Oct 27

Noon – 5 p.m.

Mayslake

Cast-Iron Cooking Help prepare a hearty meal over an open campfire, and learn tips for cooking with cast iron. Ages 5 and up; under 18 with an adult. $10 per person ages 16 and up; $5 ages 5 – 15. Registration begins Oct. 22. Call (630) 933-7248. Nov 4

1 – 3:30 p.m.

Herrick Lake

Christmas on the Farm

Deck the Yard With Snacks for Wildlife

Behold a Victorian Christmas, and learn the origins of several holiday traditions. Visit with an old-fashioned Santa, and take your picture in a sleigh. Stop by a warming fire for caroling and hot apple cider. Activities ongoing. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call (630) 876-5900.

Make wildlife-friendly ornaments to hang in your yard. All ages; under 14 with an adult. $1 per person. Groups of five or more must register. Call (630) 942-6200.

Dec 15 Dec 16

1:30 – 3:30 p.m. 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Enjoy a music-filled evening featuring members of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra as they perform “Violin Romance.” Ages 8 and up; under 18 with an adult. $25 general admission; $23 seniors over 65; $7 students. Packages available. Call (630) 941-0202. 3 – 5 p.m.

Mayslake

Corn Harvest Help to pick, shock, shuck, shell and store the corn that will feed the farm’s cows and sheep over winter. Activities ongoing. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call (630) 876-5900. Oct 6 Oct 7 Oct 8

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Kline Creek Farm Kline Creek Farm Kline Creek Farm

Danada Fall Festival Join this annual celebration of the horse and the autumn season, which includes a parade of breeds and numerous equestrian performances in the outdoor arena, hayrides, family activities, educational displays, food, and more. Activities ongoing. All ages. Free admission and parking. Fees for some activities. Registration not required. Call (630) 668-6012. Oct 14

11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Danada

Day at the Farm Field Trip School and home-school groups, learn about chores and family life in the 1890s through numerous activities. Ages 6 – 12 with an adult. $5 per student. To register, call (630) 876-5900. Oct 18 Oct 19 Oct 22

9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

2 – 3:30 p.m.

Willowbrook

Kline Creek Farm Kline Creek Farm

Classical Notes at Mayslake

Nov 25

Dec 8

Kline Creek Farm Kline Creek Farm Kline Creek Farm

Cultural Events Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook mayslakepeabody.com ART EXHIBIT: MAYSLAKE IN WATERCOLOR Enjoy an exhibit of watercolor art inspired by Mayslake. Free. Call (630) 206-9566 for details. Through Oct. 30 Mondays – Fridays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. FIRST FOLIO THEATRE PRESENTS “THE MADNESS OF EDGAR ALLEN POE: A LOVE STORY” Tour Mayslake Hall with Poe and his beloved wife, Virginia, and see Poe’s macabre and melancholy tales and poems come to life. $26 – 37 per person. For tickets, call (630) 986-8067 or visit firstfolio.org. Oct. 3 – Nov. 4 Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m. Sundays 3 p.m. ILLINOIS WATERCOLOR SOCIETY ART EXHIBIT Enjoy an exhibit from the society’s annual members’ show. Free. Call (630) 206-9566 for details. Nov. 7 – Dec. 5 Mondays – Fridays 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. RESTORATION-IN-PROGRESS TOURS Learn about the past — and future — of this historic 1920s Tudor Revival-style mansion. $5 per person. Registration required for group tours. Call (630) 206-9588. Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturdays at 9:30, 10, 11 and 11:30 a.m. No tours Dec. 8 – Jan. 15

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fall calendar

Early Birders

Forest Fitness Walk

Join a naturalist-led walk through the woods, and look for fall migrants. Ages 11 – 17. Free. Registration begins Sept. 23. Call (630) 850-8110.

Join a naturalist for a brisk weekly walk, and enjoy some healthy exercise as you take in the wonders of the woods. Adults only. Free. To register, call (630) 850-8110.

Oct 7

Oct 1 Oct 8 Oct 15 Nov 5 Nov 12 Nov 19

10 a.m. – noon

Fullersburg Woods

Exploring Watercolors During these six-part classes, explore and enhance your own artistic style while enjoying the process of watercolor painting in a beautiful and relaxed setting. Adults only. $125 per person. To register, call (630) 206-9566. Nov 6 – Dec 18 Tuesdays (except Nov 20)

10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Mayslake Intermediate/Advanced

Nov 6 – Dec 18 Tuesdays (except Nov 20)

1 – 3:30 p.m.

Mayslake Beginner/Intermediate

8:30 8:30 8:30 8:30 8:30 8:30

– – – – – –

10 10 10 10 10 10

a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

Oldfield Oaks Greene Valley Meacham Grove Waterfall Glen Herrick Lake Fullersburg Woods

FullersBird Fridays Join these naturalist-led hikes, and see how the diversity of birds in a forest preserve changes during fall. Adults only. $6 per person per hike. To register, call (630) 850-8110. Oct 5 Oct 12 Oct 19

7:30 – 9:30 a.m. 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Fullersburg Woods Fullersburg Woods Fullersburg Woods

Geocaching Try a popular treasure-hunting activity using a GPS device to discover hidden caches. Ages 6 and up; under 16 with an adult. Free. Registration begins two weeks prior. Call (630) 933-7248. Oct 13 Oct 28

10 – 11:30 a.m. 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Churchill Woods Greene Valley

Halloween Night Walks Enjoy Halloween tricks and natural-history tales during a 75-minute walk through the woods after dark. These walks are a spook-tacular treat! All ages. Tickets required. Call (630) 850-8110.

Golfing Forest Preserve District golf courses are open through late November. Outings and leagues for golfers of all abilities are available at these three distinct facilities. For details and specials, visit dupagegolf.com. Oak Meadows Golf Course, Addison, (630) 595-0071 18 Holes and Practice Facility Maple Meadows Golf Course, Wood Dale, (630) 616-8424 27 Holes Green Meadows Golf Course, Westmont, (630) 810-5330 9 Holes

The Conservationist

| Fall 2012

Oct 26 Oct 27 Oct 28

6 – 9 p.m. 6 – 9 p.m. 6 – 9 p.m.

Fullersburg Woods Fullersburg Woods Fullersburg Woods

Ticket sales begin Oct. 6 at 9 a.m. at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center. $8 each; maximum 10 per person. Call (630) 850-8110.

Holiday Market Shop a holiday market featuring a variety of artisan crafts. All ages. Free admission. Registration not required. Call (630) 206-9566. Dec 7 Dec 8

11 a.m. – 7 p.m. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Mayslake Mayslake

Holiday Sweets

Mayslake Lecture Series

Learn how to make bright, colorful hard candies, and take home recipes to start your own holiday tradition. All ages. Free. Registration not required. Call (630) 876-5900.

Visit beautiful Mayslake Hall, and hear lectures on various topics. Adults only. $3 per person. (A $5-per-person docentled tour of Mayslake Hall will precede each lecture at 6 p.m.) To register, call (630) 206-9566.

Nov 24 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. on the half-hour Nov 25 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. on the half-hour

Kline Creek Farm Kline Creek Farm

Oct 9

7 – 8 p.m.

Mayslake “The Nature of the Imagination” by Carl Strang as Aldo Leopold

Oct 23

7 – 8 p.m.

Mayslake “Adventures in Radio” by Gene Doretti

Home-Schoolers Nature Hike Learn about natural and cultural history while exploring different forest preserves. Ages 5 and up; under 18 with an adult. $5 per family. Registration begins two weeks prior. Call (630) 942-6200. Oct 16 Nov 15

9:30 – 11:30 a.m. 1 – 3:30 p.m.

Waterfall Glen Wayne Grove

Make a Difference Day Share in this national day of helping others by joining a forest preserve workday. All ages; under 14 with an adult. Free. To register, call (630) 933-7681 at least three business days in advance; groups of five or more must call 10 business days in advance. Oct 27

9 a.m. – noon

East Branch

Make a Snake Ornament Meet a snake, and make a colorful ornament. Activities ongoing. All ages; under 14 with an adult. Free. Registration not required. Call (630) 942-6200. Dec 16

1 – 4:30 p.m.

Willowbrook

Historic Country Estate St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville Explore this diverse forest preserve from its historic dairy and equestrian buildings to its sculptures and other art. St. James Farm is open daily through November from one hour after sunrise until one hour after sunset.

The Many Values of Nature Participate in a lively discussion about the many things that nature provides, such as food, medicine, materials and unlimited moments of beauty and inspiration. Ages 16 and up. Free. Registration begins Oct. 7. Call (630) 942-6200. Oct 21

2 – 3:30 p.m.

Willowbrook

COVERED WAGON TOURS Enjoy a 30-minute guided covered wagon ride, and learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm along the way. $5 per person ages 13 – 54; $4 ages 55 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call (630) 933-7248. Through Nov. 28 Saturdays and Sundays (except Nov. 24 and 25) 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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fall calendar

Music at Mayslake

Muskie Basics

Enjoy holiday music as you’ve never heard it as the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Make the Yuletide Gay.” Ages 8 and up; under 18 with an adult. $27.50 premier seating; $22.50 general admission; $20 seniors over 65, students and groups of six or more. For tickets, call (773) 296-0541.

Learn to identify the muskie, the habitat it prefers and the equipment you need to catch one. Ages 6 and up; under 16 with an adult. Free. Registration begins Oct. 9. Call (630) 933-7248.

Dec 16 Dec 16

3 – 5 p.m. 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Mayslake Mayslake

Oct 21

Noon – 2 p.m.

Mallard Lake

Nature Nuts for Preschoolers Introduce your child to science, nature and fun through this seven-part class. Discover a new theme each week through a hike, story and project. Ages 4 – 6. $70 per child. Registration begins Oct. 1. Call (630) 850-8110. Nov 7 – Dec 19 Wednesdays

10 – 11:30 a.m.

Fullersburg Woods

Night Hike

Horse-Drawn Hayrides and Sleigh Rides Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton Take a ride through the prairies and woodlands of Danada Forest Preserve, and learn about the features of this historic preserve. $5 per person ages 13 and up; $2 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups of 15 or more are encouraged to reserve private rides. Call (630) 668-6012. HAYRIDES (30 MINUTES) Through Nov. 4 Saturdays and Sundays (except Oct. 13 and 14) Noon – 3:45 p.m. SLEIGH RIDES (12 – 15 MINUTES) Hay wagons are used when there is less than 4 inches of packed snow on the trail. Daily Dec. 26 – 30 Noon – 2 p.m.

Oct. 6 and 20, Nov. 3 and 17 and Dec. 1, 15 and 29 Saturdays 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Dates and times are subject to change.)

The Conservationist

Dec 30

7:30 – 9 p.m.

Herrick Lake

Owl Moon Over Mayslake Learn about the nocturnal hunting skills of great horned and screech owls, and join a naturalist-led hike to try to see and hear them. Ages 6 and up; under 18 with an adult. $3 per person. To register, call (630) 850-8110. Nov 29

7 – 8:30 p.m.

Mayslake

Papermaking Workshop Learn the art of making paper that you can use to create collages, books, cards and other mixed media. Adults only. $60 per person. To register, call (630) 206-9566. Oct 20

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Mayslake

Predator Prowl

FARRIER DEMONSTRATIONS See the farrier tend to the herd and exhibit the tools and techniques of the trade. Demonstrations ongoing.

Begin your celebration of the new year by taking a nighttime hike through woodlands and meadows. Ages 8 and up. Free. Registration not required. Call (630) 206-9581.

| Fall 2012

Spend an evening exploring the fascinating habits of DuPage County’s predators during games, crafts, a pizza dinner and encounters with some of Willowbrook’s resident raptors. All ages; under 16 with an adult. $30 per parentchild pair; $10 each additional person. Registration begins Oct. 3. Call (630) 942-6200. Nov 3

5 – 8 p.m.

Willowbrook

Rambo Scramble

Talons and Claus

In this 10th annual event, experience a championship golf course in its toughest form, including some pin placements you may never want to see again! All ages. $65 per person; $130 per two-person team. Register at dupagegolf.com or call (630) 616-8424.

Have your picture taken with Santa and his wildlife friends during a holiday open house. Activities ongoing. All ages. Free admission. $10 per photo. Registration not required. Call (630) 942-6200.

Oct 13

8 a.m.

Dec 1

Noon – 3:30 p.m.

Willowbrook

Maple Meadows

Volunteer Native-Plant-Nursery Workday Random Acts of Kindness Workday Show the earth a little kindness, and help clean up one of DuPage County’s “hidden” treasures. All ages; under 14 with an adult. Free. To register, call (630) 933-7681 at least three business days in advance; groups of five or more must call 10 business days in advance. Nov 10

9 a.m. – noon

Hidden Lake

St. James Farm Caboose Tours Take a 30- to 45-minute tour of the 1906 Chicago Burlington & Quincy caboose. Learn about the history of the CA&E Railroad, its connection to St. James Farm and the life of the conductor and brakeman. Tours begin on the hour. All ages; under 13 with an adult. $2 per person ages 13 and up; $1 ages 5 – 12; under 5 free. Registration not required. Call (630) 933-7248. Oct 13 Oct 14 Oct 27 Oct 28 Nov 10 Nov 11

11 11 11 11 11 11

a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

– – – – – –

2 2 2 2 2 2

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

St. St. St. St. St. St.

James James James James James James

Help the District’s Habitat Improvement Program by lending a hand at the nursery. Weed and water plant beds, or collect and clean seed. Ages 12 and up; under 16 with an adult. Free. To register, call (630) 933-7681 at least five business days in advance; groups of five or more must call 10 business days in advance. Oct 1 Oct 9 Oct 15 Oct 23 Oct 26 Oct 30 Nov 2

8 8 8 8 8 8 8

– – – – – – –

11 11 11 11 11 11 11

a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

Blackwell/Grounds Blackwell/Grounds Blackwell/Grounds Blackwell/Grounds Blackwell/Grounds Blackwell/Grounds Blackwell/Grounds

& & & & & & &

Resources Resources Resources Resources Resources Resources Resources

Complex Complex Complex Complex Complex Complex Complex

Farm Farm Farm Farm Farm Farm

St. James Farm Walking Tours Learn about the natural and cultural history of St. James Farm during a leisurely 1-mile guided walk. All ages; under 13 with an adult. Free. Registration not required. Call (630) 933-7248. Oct 20 Nov 17

1:30 – 3 p.m. 1:30 – 3 p.m.

St. James Farm St. James Farm

Scenic Overlook Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville The overlook is open Saturdays and Sundays through October from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., weather permitting. Due to Illinois Environmental Protection Agency activities, however, it may be closed during these times without advanced notice. For additional information, call (630) 792-2100.

d u p a g e f o re s t . o r g

fall calendar

Volunteer Restoration Workday

When Darkness Falls

Help restore a natural area by removing nonnative vegetation or collecting seed. All ages; under 14 with an adult. Free. To register, call (630) 933-7681 at least five business days in advance; groups of five or more must call 10 business days in advance.

Hike through the dark woods with a ranger, and discover what it’s like to use your senses like a nocturnal predator. Ages 6 and up; under 16 with an adult. Free. Registration begins Oct. 29. Call (630) 933-7248.

Oct 6 Oct 6 Oct 7 Oct 13 Oct 13 Oct 21 Oct 27 Nov 3 Nov 10 Nov 10 Nov 10 Nov 11 Nov 17 Nov 17 Nov 18 Dec 1 Dec 8 Dec 9

9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 8 9 1 9 9 9

a.m. – noon a.m. – noon a.m. – noon a.m. – noon a.m. – noon a.m. – noon a.m. – noon a.m. – noon a.m. – noon a.m. – noon a.m. – noon a.m. – noon – 10:30 a.m. a.m. – noon – 4 p.m. a.m. – noon a.m. – noon a.m. – noon

Churchill Woods Springbrook Prairie Springbrook Prairie Fullersburg Woods Springbrook Prairie Springbrook Prairie Springbrook Prairie Springbrook Prairie Churchill Woods Fullersburg Woods Springbrook Prairie Springbrook Prairie Lyman Woods Springbrook Prairie Springbrook Prairie Springbrook Prairie Fullersburg Woods Springbrook Prairie

Nov 10

5 – 7 p.m.

Waterfall Glen

Willowbrook Wildlife Center: A Closer Look This field trip for home-schoolers will take you on a behindthe-scenes nighttime tour of Willowbrook. Ages 5 and up; under 18 with an adult. $5 per family. Registration begins Nov. 24. Call (630) 942-6200. Dec 7

6:30 – 8 p.m.

Willowbrook

Ages 8 and up; under 14 with an adult. Free. Groups of 10 or more must register. Call (630) 293-1627. Oct 6 Oct 20 Nov 3 Dec 1

9 9 9 9

a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

– – – –

noon noon noon noon

West West West West

Chicago Chicago Chicago Chicago

Prairie Prairie Prairie Prairie

WDCB Jazz Salon at Mayslake Enjoy an evening of high-quality jazz brought to you by Mayslake Peabody Estate, WDCB Public Radio and the PianoForte Foundation. Adults only. $25 cabaret seating; $20 general admission; $18 seniors over 65, students and groups of six or more. For tickets, call (630) 206-9566. Nov 15

7:30 – 9 p.m.

Mayslake Willie Pickens Trio

Tubing and Snowshoeing Mount Hoy at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville Take a thrilling 800-foot ride down Mount Hoy, or explore forest preserve trails by snowshoe. December – February Saturdays, Sundays and School Holidays Daily Dec. 15 – Jan. 6 (except Dec. 25) 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Inner tube rentals are $5 per tube per day and end at 3:30 p.m. (Only District inner tubes are permitted.) Snowshoe rentals are $5 for two hours and $10 per day and end at 2 p.m. Rentals are only available when 3 or more inches of snow covers the hill. For snow conditions, call the Outdoor Report at (630) 871-6422.

The Conservationist

| Fall 2012

news & notes ST. JAMES FARM REAPS BENEFITS OF CASE IH LEASE

RENOVATIONS BOLSTER GREENE FARM BARN This summer, the District completed stabilization work at the Greene Farm Barn at Greene Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville. Recent improvements include a foundation for a reinforced floor, a new roof and doors, the replacement of two cupolas and siding, tuck pointing, and repairs to three silos and timber frames. A $250,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and a $67,700 grant from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley helped fund the project. When additional funds are available, further renovations may convert the barn to space for public use.

The District has entered into an agreement with Case IH to lease roughly $200,000 worth of the manufacturer’s mowers, tractors and utility vehicles for $1 per year for 10 years for use at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville. The equipment can be used for up to 250 hours, at which point a Case IH dealer will replace it and offer the slightly used equipment to farmers at a reduced cost. The deal links the former farm of the McCormick family of International Harvester fame with Case IH, which acquired part of International Harvester’s agricultural division in 1985.

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN Invite a Forest Preserve District speaker to your next meeting, and learn the latest about DuPage County’s forest preserves, from ecological restoration projects to innovative, hands-on educational programs. Speakers are available Nov. 1 through April 15. Call (630) 933-7246.

DUPAGEFOREST.ORG IMPROVES TRANSPARENCY GET YOUR GOODS FROM THE WOODS Visit dupageforest.org and click on “About Us” and “Goods From the Woods,” or stop by Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago, Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn or District headquarters at Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton for great gift ideas!

Visitors to dupageforest.org can now click on the “Transparency Portal” from any page for answers to common operational questions about the District. Features include searchable “Open Checkbook” and “Open Payroll” databases and better-organized meeting minutes, agendas, budgets and financial reports. The page will also soon include an improved Freedom of Information Act feature where residents can make and track requests online.

PUBLIC Meetings Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners meetings and planning sessions are open to the public and are held at District headquarters at 3S580 Naperville Road in Wheaton. Schedules and agendas are available in advance on the District’s website, dupageforest.org. Commission meetings normally take place the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 9 a.m. Planning sessions normally take place the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 9 a.m. At both, the board hears comments from the public and reports from staff and discusses District business; at commission meetings, the board also votes on agenda items. d u p a g e f o re s t . o r g

Body Armor by JACK MACRAE, NATURALIST, WILLOWBROOK WILDLIFE CENTER

umans are soft. Well, at least our

skins are. They offer us scant protection against sharp or blunt objects and easily bruise and puncture. Since the natural world is filled with many injurious objects — both floral and faunal — many of our visits to wild places result in minor bumps and scrapes. Poor us. It makes sense, then, that within the animal kingdom we “thin-skinned” humans are among the exceptions. Humans and most other “vertebrates” — fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, other mammals — have internal “endoskeletons,” each usually consisting of a skull, ribs, a line of vertebrae and four limbs. It’s a well-known configuration that people of all ages can easily recognize (thanks in no small part to the popularity of Halloween costumes). But the majority of animals — insects, crustaceans, scorpions, crabs and centipedes — instead possess extraordinary external body armor called “exoskeletons.” Indeed, 75 percent of all animal species living and extinct have developed these hard, protective structures. The ability of exoskeletons to protect vital organs from hungry predators has allowed some of these animals to occupy nearly every habitat on Earth and remain relatively unchanged for over 500 million years. An exoskeleton is typically a multileveled structure that consists of a complex blend of proteins and “chitin” (KY´-tin), a tough substance the skin produces that creates a strong but lightweight suit of armor. The top waxy layer of an exoskeleton, the “epicuticle,” acts as a moisture barrier that keeps the animal from drying out. A “procuticle” layer in the middle provides the rigidity that supports and protects the animal. Its impressively high strength-to-weight ratio is the result of plywoodlike layers of chitin. Aquatic animals, such as clams and mussels, grow the thickest and heaviest exoskeletons because of calcium carbonate in the water,

The Conservationist

| Fall 2012

which alters their exoskeletons’ mineral content and gives them a more rigid structure. Arthropods with these rigid coverings — insects, spiders, crawfish, etc. — can maneuver because of joints within their shells. Their muscles are attached directly to the extensive body coverings. This design coupled with leverage that gives a near-optimum mechanical advantage enables an invertebrate to lift objects many times its own weight. There are a few drawbacks to living with an exoskeleton, though. The major one is that exoskeletons don’t grow. This means an animal must periodically replace its shell as it gets bigger. Enzymes that collect between the layers of the exoskeleton loosen the cuticle from the underlying epidermal cells. At the same time, the animal excretes materials that start to form a new exoskeleton. But for most, the old shell needs to fall off before the new one can finish developing. This process is called “molting” and is a precarious time. Without its protective covering, the soft, squishy animal is highly vulnerable to predators. As a result, many invertebrates seek safe places to wait as their new coverings harden. You may be thinking, “Well that sounds like what a snake does when it sheds its skin,” but snakes are different beasts. Snakes, after all, do not have exoskeletons. When a snake sheds, it’s merely getting rid of its outer layer of skin, revealing a durable, completely developed new layer below. A second shortcoming of an exoskeleton is its inability to heal. Over time, cuts and fractures to our skin and bones can repair themselves, but exoskeletons do not contain the necessary materials to do the same. Regardless of an exoskeleton’s disadvantages, humans certainly admire its protective qualities. For centuries, military leaders have tried to mimic the protective body armor. In fifth-century Japan, samurai warriors clad

Carolina grasshopper (Dissosteira carolina)

Plain pocketbook (Lampsilis cardium)

themselves in bronze and iron shells, and in medieval Europe, knights (and their trusty steeds!) wore shining exoskeletons into battle. Today armed forces across the world wear fullmetal jackets. It’s even inspired science fiction aficionados. Comic book genius Stan Lee created Iron Man and his superhuman armor in the early 1960s for Marvel Comics, and in the current rendition of Batman, the Dark Knight wears a suit of protective Kevlar. But it’s the medical applications of exoskeletons that are truly exciting. In the 19th and 20th centuries, researchers began to learn that chitin was nonallergenic, antimicrobial, biodegradable, nontoxic and remarkably compatible with the human body. In the 1950s surgeons began using chitin-coated sutures, and today laboratories make biodegradable sutures entirely from chitin filaments, which eliminate the need for further invasive surgery because they do not need to be removed. Doctors cover burns and skin grafts with chitinbased bandages that do not need changing, accelerating healing and reducing pain, and the U.S. Army uses a powdered form of chitin in emergency medical situations to stop heavy bleeding. Cutting-edge biomedical engineers are even experimenting with chitin as a scaffold for regenerating new body parts. Interestingly, much of the chitin used in these medical applications comes from the tons of discarded crab and shrimp exoskeletons from the food industry. (Think of that the next time you enjoy some delicious peeled cocktail shrimp.) Yes, we humans with our exposed, defenseless skins certainly have to be careful as we enjoy the world around us; but fortunately, our hard-shelled cousins have some amazing qualities we can not only study while we’re out there but also copy along the way. •

Prairie crawfish (Procambarus gracilis)

Short-winged meadow katydid (Conocephalus brevipennis)

d u p a g e f o re s t . o r g

explore

Meacham Grove Forest Preserve

A Meander Through Meacham Grove by RAY SOSZYNSKI, OFFICE OF LAND MANAGEMENT

6 I

t’s that time of year when trees start to

The Conservationist

close up shop for winter, creating a beautiful woodland tapestry. It’s the perfect time to explore a different forest preserve, feel the crackle of leaves beneath your feet or watch birds as they migrate to warmer destinations. And it’s a great time to pay a visit to Meacham Grove Forest Preserve in Bloomingdale, one of my favorite spots in the county to see fall colors. As with any visit to a forest preserve, it’s helpful to know a little about its history. For decades Potawatomi Indians were the sole inhabitants of this area, but in the 1830s the first settlers of European descent started to arrive from the east. Lyman Meacham of Rutland, Vt., moved here in 1833. He and his brothers eventually claimed 1,200 acres, mainly woodlands essential to the construction of homes and fences. By the early 1880s, however, the last Meacham in the area to own the family land had sold the last acre and moved on. In 1920, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County acquired 40 acres of the former Meacham property from the Heinbergs and established Bloomingdale Grove Forest Preserve. Historians from Bloomingdale Township persuaded the District to rename the preserve in 1976 in honor of its early owners. Today if you stand on the large grassy hill west of the Circle Avenue parking lot along the Maple Lake Trail, you can see most of Meacham Grove’s current 253 acres. Beneath your feet on that particular hill is a more recent piece of preserve history — the southern end of a former quarry that stored demolition waste from construction sites before it became an 18-acre, 75-foot-high landfill. In 1976 the District capped and regraded the hill with 400,000 cubic yards of clay and topsoil and then flooded the quarry, turning | Fall 2012

it into a small fishing hole. It created Circle Marsh to the north 15 years later to hold stormwater and provide habitat for wildlife such as wading great blue herons, patrolling dragonflies and basking painted turtles. In 1993 when the District drained and enlarged the quarry (recovering two submerged stolen cars and a motorcycle in the process), it used soil from the marsh to stabilize the new shoreline. Today the 32-acre Maple Lake is a choice spot for anglers looking to reel in largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill or crappie. On the west side of the lake, Maple Lake Trail crosses a small bridge. To the west is Spring Brook, Salt Creek’s largest tributary, which ranges from a slow-moving stream to a sprawling wetland known as Meacham Marsh. In 1996 engineers constructed a concrete labyrinth below the bridge, called a “weir,” and a spillway dam. The dam keeps stormwater in the creek and marsh until it reaches a certain depth, at which point it spills into Maple Lake. The water remains in the lake temporarily until Spring Brook and Meacham Marsh recede and can again accept it. The weir’s irregular shape allows it to handle a maximum amount of water at a minimum length. This fall, contractors are working to lower the weir by a foot to allow more stormwater to enter the lake more frequently to further help property owners upstream. Aside from offering a look at some impressive engineering, the bridge also provides great views of the water. If you’re lucky, you may catch a common loon refueling on the lake on its way south or a double-crested cormorant spreading its wings to dry them after enjoying a tasty fish meal. Along the marsh, you may also see swallows catching insects on the wing and shorebirds probing the mud flats for food.

Wood duck (Aix sponsa)

Drummond’s aster (Aster sagittifolius drummondii)

Broad-leaved goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis)

Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata)

Quick Look at Meacham Grove Forest Preserve

P i c t on R d .

sch

elle R d.

i ng

Foster Ave.

- Ro s

. ming

d a le

Circle Marsh

B l oo Meacham Grove Nature Preserve

Ave.

Savanna Trail

Meacham Marsh

Maple Lake

Maple Lake Trail

Broker Rd.

North Central DuPage Regional Trail

Spring Valley Dr.

Spring Brook Maple Lake Trail

Circle Ave.

R o se d a l e

In addition to the Maple Lake Trail, Meacham Grove contains over a mile of the North Central DuPage Regional Trail, a proposed 35-mile multiagency project that will connect the Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Spur to the west with Cook County’s Busse Woods Forest Preserve to the east. If you follow this trail west, another pedestrian bridge arches over Bloomingdale-Roselle Road and into 48.8 acres of mature maples, oaks, walnuts and hickories. Once a popular picnic area, this area now contains 280 species of native plants, some rare, a distinction that earned it Illinois Nature Preserve status just this year. Forest Preserve District ordinances had already dictated the preservation of rich, natural habitats like this one, but this special state status provides an added layer of protection. The District continues to own, manage and maintain the area, and hikers and bicyclists continue to enjoy its trails and scenic beauty. However, dogs need to remain on the trail through this part of the forest preserve, and as before, off-trail bicycling is not allowed. Within the nature preserve, the Savanna Trail loops through woodlands. In spring, red and white trillium and rue anemone emerge under these trees, and in fall broad-leaved goldenrod, Drummond’s aster and elm-leaved goldenrod complement the showy canopy. Although harder to identify this time of year, migrant birds such as palm, yellow-rumped and black-and-white warblers stop in this oasis on their way south. So this fall, whether you’re looking for a place to walk or pedal, watch for migrating birds, or get a little peace and quiet away from home, why not try a meander through Meacham Grove? •

La k e S t.

North

For a detailed map of Meacham Grove, visit dupageforest.org.

d u p a g e f o re s t . o r g

directory EDUCATION Centers DANADA EQUESTRIAN CENTER 3S507 Naperville Road Wheaton, IL 60189 (630) 668-6012 The center’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is closed on Saturday, Sunday and select holidays.

GENERAL Contacts

GOLF Courses

HEADQUARTERS

GREEN MEADOWS GOLF COURSE 18W201 W. 63rd St. Westmont, IL 60559 (630) 810-5330

Street Address 3S580 Naperville Road Wheaton, IL 60189 The headquarters office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed on Saturday, Sunday and select holidays. Mailing Address P.O. Box 5000 Wheaton, IL 60189

MAPLE MEADOWS GOLF COURSE 272 S. Addison Road Wood Dale, IL 60191 (630) 616-8424 OAK MEADOWS GOLF COURSE 900 N. Wood Dale Road Addison, IL 60101 (630) 595-0071

Website dupageforest.org

FULLERSBURG WOODS NATURE EDUCATION CENTER 3609 Spring Road Oak Brook, IL 60523 (630) 850-8110 The center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on select holidays. KLINE CREEK FARM 1N600 County Farm Road West Chicago, IL 60185 (630) 876-5900 The farm is open Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and select holidays.

Main Number (630) 933-7200

MAYSLAKE PEABODY ESTATE 1717 W. 31st St. Oak Brook, IL 60523 (630) 206-9566

TTY (800) 526-0857

The estate is open only during scheduled programs and events.

THE CONSERVATIONIST SUBSCRIPTION LINE (630) 933-7085

WILLOWBROOK WILDLIFE CENTER 525 S. Park Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 (630) 942-6200

Email Address forest@dupageforest.org

FUNDRAISING AND DEVELOPMENT (630) 871-6400 LAW ENFORCEMENT (630) 933-7240 THE OUTDOOR REPORT (630) 871-6422 VISITOR SERVICES (630) 933-7248 VOLUNTEER SERVICES (630) 933-7681 22

The Conservationist

| Fall 2012

PRESERVE Hours Most forest preserves are open daily from one hour after sunrise until one hour after sunset.

ACCESSIBILITY Individuals with accessibility needs or concerns should contact the District’s ADA coordinator at (630) 933-7683 or TTY (800) 526-0857 at least three business days before their visit.

The center and the surrounding Willowbrook Forest Preserve are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are closed on select holidays.

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PA I D Carol Stream, IL Permit No. 96

P.O. Box 5000 Wheaton, IL 60189-5000 (630) 933-7200 dupageforest.org

please deliver to current resident

Fall 2012

dupageforest.org

Good things happen when you travel new trails. St. James Farm Forest Preserve, Warrenville