Spring Valley Natural Enquirer: January/February 2013

Natural Enquirer N e w s l e t t e r f o r S p r i n g Va l l e y S u p p o r t e r s a n d Vo l u n t e e r s

In this issue...

vol.4 no.1 • Jan./Feb. ‘13

The New Year always brings the promise of renewal and resolutions to change or improve something in our lives. At Spring Valley, we are all about renewal, change and improvement—not just every January 1 but throughout the year!

Our business is helping people to renew their connections to the natural world, improve their knowledge and appreciation for nature and the land’s history, and change our local environment in ways that improve the land’s health and with it, the health of the local community. We do this by encouraging people to get involved in restoration, providing programs and events that inform, educate, and inspire, and by providing a place for people to relax, be active, or experience nature and farming history directly. One highly anticipated change, which will help our visitors to learn more about Spring Valley’s natural communities, is the renovation of the interpretive exhibits at the Vera Meineke Nature Center. New exhibits have been in the planning stages for several years, and now, thanks to generous donors who have supported the Schaumburg Park Foundation’s fundraising campaign and a Public Museum Capital Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Illinois State Museum, these new exhibits are a reality. Installation of Phase I took place in December, with Phase II planned for 2014. Stop by soon to see this exciting addition to the Nature Center!

Inside Guardians of Forest & Fields..............................2 Wetland Pioneers.................................................3 What’s Happenin’.............................................. 4-6 Spring Valley General Information....................11

Volunteer News Contents Volunteer Recognition for 2012..........................7 Volunteer Want Ads..............................................8 Volunteer Calendar......................................... 9-10

Visit www.parkfun.com and take our Spring Valley Program Survey.

S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3

Guardians of Forest & Field

F

by Dave Brooks

or those seeking peace and quiet in nature, the winter landscape can’t be beat. With bird variety and numbers diminished by migration and resident birds having placed their songs in storage until springtime, a walk through the woods and fields can be like a stroll down the aisles at the local library (only colder). There is one local bird, though, that defies this unspoken rule of silence imposed on the rest of the natural world—the common crow. Crows are able to vocalize in many different ways throughout the year; however, during late fall and winter, they gather together in large, noisy flocks. With their signature caw-caw-caw echoing across the fields, they are definitely the loudest thing to be heard on most winter days.

Common Crow

Unlike many of our native birds, crows are naturally gregarious. During the breeding season, young family members from previous years often remain on the breeding territory to help feed both the female incubating eggs as well as the newly hatched young. During the breeding season, crows vigorously and loudly defend their nesting territories from other crows (those outside of the immediate family). During autumn, behaviors shift dramatically. For one thing, our area sees an influx of crows from farther north, migrating away from the North Country’s bitter winter weather. Some of our local crows will also shift their territories, but breeding pairs generally remain on their breeding territory.

From about November through late February, crows spend the day feeding in small flocks. During mid-afternoon, they begin flying well-established and regular flight lines towards a central roosting area. Along the way, they may meet up with other flocks heading in the same direction. Eventually, by dusk, they arrive at the central night-time roost. These areas are usually located within groves of tall trees and may hold anywhere between a few hundred to hundreds of thousands of crows overnight. In Illi-

nois, exceptionally large roosting areas are located near Danville and Springfield. Doubtless, other large roost sites exist but just haven’t been reported or documented. This is surprising, since anyone living near a roosting site would certainly be aware of it, as the crows all begin talking to each other before the sun is up. At dawn, the individual flocks begin dispersing to their feeding areas for the day, often flying up to 50 miles away.

These winter roosting sites do shift in location from year to year, although some of the larger ones have been established for many years. Researchers have noted that they seem to have moved from rural areas into urban areas during the past 50 years or so. There is speculation that this may be happening due to the slightly warmer temperatures within cities, the concentration of tall mature trees in many cities, or the fact that crows have learned that the ‘no hunting’ rules within most cities afford them some protection from their primary enemy—humans.

There is also the thought that crows take advantage of the artificial light provided in urban areas as protection from predators. Large owls such as the great-horned are their primary natural enemy (which explains why crows mob and harass owls any chance they can).

Since owls hunt by stealth, a well-lit area allows the crows to see the owls before they can strike.

Crow Landing

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Crows do have excellent vision and hearing. They are wary, observant, and ready to sound the alarm, alerting all other creatures to the presence of a threat—be it an owl, a hawk, or a human hunter. In spite of their raucous behavior and penchant for preying on young birds and nests, crows are highly intelligent birds and display many qualities that people would find endearing were they pets rather than large, noisy, black birds.

Cornell University ornithologist Dr. Kevin J. McGowan alludes to this in describing crow behavior on the website, http:// www.birds.cornell.edu/crows/crowfaq. htm#migrate Crows do have one endearing characteristic that is apparently not shared by other birds. They will get to know people as individuals… If you toss them peanuts on a regular basis, they will wait and watch for you. Not just any person, but you. If you do this often enough, they will follow you down the street to get more. I have made a point of getting on the good side of a number of crow families around Ithaca. Some will follow my car down the street, and if I don’t notice them and toss them peanuts they will dash across the windshield to let me know they are there. Some of these crows recognize me far from their home territories, way out of context…

So indulge yourself and make some personal friends with the crows. That is the preferred relationship, because they also are happy to turn this talent of recognition to the darker side, and treat you as an enemy. (Again, not just all people, but YOU.) Because I climb to crow nests to band young birds, many crows in Ithaca know me and hate me. Whenever they notice me in their territory they will come over and yell at me. They will follow me around and keep yelling for as long as I am there. Believe me, it’s better to be on their good side than their bad side!

S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3

Wetland Pioneers

by Walter Plinske

The boy was listening to his grandfather tell of his life in pioneer times. The grizzled old man spoke of when he, at the age of five, came west from the Pennsylvania coal fields in a covered wagon with his family when its patriarch declared that mining would not be part of their future. They found what they were looking for—land that had never felt the bite of a plow, untouched as yet by man. What seemed enigmatic was that this erstwhile pioneer had landed in Indiana, not Idaho, and that the year in question was 1895. Wasn’t all the land there already taken, the boy mused? The old man added that fish were so numerous they could even be caught in the ditches along the roads. Unsaid was that it was a time when wetlands were considered to be wasteland, awaiting redemption. The old man’s saga was that of subduing sloughs and conquering quagmires—of being a wetland pioneer.

During the westward flow of settlement in North America, wetlands were avoided for a variety of reasons. The chief being that they made travel through them difficult to impossible.

Many settlers from New York who came overland were blocked by the infamous Black Swamp that bordered the southwest section of Lake Erie. The area was so detested that some groups traveled through Canada to the north to avoid it.

In addition, wetlands were regarded as reservoirs of disease, malaria in particular, called “the ague” by the pioneers.

Wetlands were also regarded as the lair of animals dangerous to both people and livestock—poisonous snakes, wildcats, bears, and in the south, alligators. For most of 1800s, wetlands were bypassed by people who would rather trek 3,000 miles to the west coast or farm the high plains with its meager rainfall, than to take them on. Eventually it Alligator became necessary to fill in the blanks, as it were, and wetlands became the prime target.

Drainage Ditch

the wetlands. Steam-powered earthmoving equipment proved to be the most popular method for draining the vast wetlands throughout the country.

The formula was to mount a giant steam shovel aboard a barge to scoop out a channel in the marsh sediments. Auxiliary barges foalted alongside, acting as bunkhouses, cooking cabins, and repair shops.

The channels had an average depth of nearly seven feet, 24 Wildcat feet wide at the top and 12 feet at the bottom. When the channel was connected to a nearby river or stream, the water Draining the wasubsided, leaving ter from wetlands a drainage ditch, was not a new with the bottom idea. In order of the marsh now to create arable high and dry. land for agriAlong with the Steam-powered Dredge culture, the two ditches, existing primary artificial drainage practices, surcreeks and rivers flowing through the face drainage (ditches) and subsurface marshes were channelized and straight(tile) drainage were employed in Europe ened, thereby hastening the waters to starting with the Romans. Americans be carried away. were slow to take up either practice due Those floating bunkhouses were needed to the wealth of naturally arable land, because of the enormous task that was and the fact that all the work involved at hand. The Black Swamp of Ohio was done by hand. By 1895, however, was the site of a receded glacial lake of new technology signaled the demise of 3

Swampland

nearly a million acres. The Kankakee Marsh of northwest Indiana was at least 400,000 acres. Throughout the Midwest, sloughs, fens, swamps, and marshes of every size dotted the landscape, generally of glacial origin. Within the space of a generation, with the aid of machines and mass-produced drain tiles, these areas were transformed into highly productive farmlands. The basis of this wealth was the very dark brown soil itself, referred to as “muck”, which appeared black when wet, and consisted of 80% organic matter. It was formed when dying vegetation sank to the bottom of the swamp and partially decayed due to the lack of oxygen. Over thousands of years of such sedimentation, a rich muck soil formed that contained high concentrations of plant nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, which can be used for growing crops such as onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes.

Over time, muck farming causes unique problems. Because the soil is very light, windbreaks must be provided to keep it from blowing away. Exposed to the atmosphere, oxidation completes the cycle that began thousands of years earlier, causing the soil to become thinner. It can also catch fire and burn underground for months. Because draining wetlands destroys wildlife habitat, it is unlikely that any more muck farms will be created. In the future, the tide will be reversed and mucklands will be reclaimed for wildlife preserves.

S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3

Click on program/icon for information and to register online.*

*To create a new account, visit the registration desk at the CRC or download an internet registration form from www.parkfun.com. The form can be found under the registration tab.

Teacher’s Workshop: Winter Explorers

Specia

l Off Saturday, Jan. 19 • 8:30A-4:30P • Sring Valley Only $90 er: !

Sunday, Jan. 20 • 11:00A-5:00P • Brookfield Zoo Become an expert on mammal adaptations. Learn what makes winter so important to the plants and animals living here. For information, contact Lanis Petrik at lanispetrik@czs.org or Mary Rice at marice@parkfun.com.

Teacher’s Workshop: Early Childhood Educators’ Combo

Saturday, Jan. 26 • 9AM-3PM Receive two nationally acclaimed curricula, Project Learning Tree Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood and Growing Up Wild. Both build on a child’s sense of wonder about nature and invite you to explore nature through art, music, science inquiry, math, reading, health and more!

Early Childhood Teacher Workshop: Growing Up Wild

Saturday, Feb. 16 • 9AM-Noon Growing Up Wild builds on a child’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them.

Teacher’s Workshop: Project Learning Tree

Sunday, Feb. 24 • 9AM-3PM Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers, scout leaders and other educators, parents and community leaders working with youth from pre-school through grade 12.

Additional workshops are being developed. For up-to-date information, visit www.parkfun.com/Spring-Valley/programs.

ADULT or TEEN

Nature Book Club

Wednesday, Jan. 30 • 10:00-11:30A Wednesday, March 27 • 4:00-5:30P Enjoy a hike to Merkle Log Cabin to discuss the selected book over coffee, tea and snacks.

A Walk with the Birds

Saturday, Jan. 5 • 7:30-9:30A Saturday, March 2 • 7:30-9:30A Binoculars and field guides will be on hand to identify Illinois’ hardy winter residents.

Nature’s Night Life - ADULTS ONLY! Friday, Jan. 4 • 7:00-9:00P Friday, March 1 • 7:00-9:00P Start your weekend with a relaxing and enlightening evening walk at Spring Valley.

All About Pie

Sunday, Jan. 20 • 1:00-3:00P Let the Heritage Farm staff teach you how to make that perfect pie and bring home a sample.

Weekly Yoga at the Cabin

Blacksmithing for Beginners

Tuesday, Jan. 8-March 19 • 6:00-7:00P Tuesday, Jan. 8-March 19 • 7:30-8:30P Thursday, Jan. 10-March 21 • 6:30-7:30P Thursday, Jan. 10-March 21 • 8:00-9:00P Nurture your mind and body in this rustic setting and connect with nature.

Sunday, Feb. 24 • 1:00-4:00P Participants will learn the basics of metal working and take home a sample of their labors.

Good Clean Fun: Soap Making Basics Sunday, Feb. 17 • 1:00-4:30P Learn to make old fashioned lye soap and your own specialty artisan soap at Heritage Farm.

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S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3

All Ages

Free Merkle Cabin Programs

Deer Watch

Who Goes There?

Friday, Jan. 4 • 4:00-5:30P Take a hike to look for this elusive mammal and discover its tracks, as well as the places where it eats and sleeps.

Sunday, Jan. 13 • Noon-4PM Tracks have an interesting tale to tell if we know how to read the words. Come down to the Cabin and dive into the language of tracks. There will be track games to play and an opportunity to decode what’s out there. Once you’ve become a track expert, feel free to hike around and decide who has gone before you.

Free - Heaven’s Watch

Sat., Jan. 5 • 8:00P......Orion No program in Feb. Sat., March 2 • 8:30P......Beehive Star Cluster Join Chicago Astronomical Society as they set their telescopes for a peek at the night skies.

Winter Explorers: Snow and Ice

Sunday, Feb. 10 • Noon-4PM Explore the winter world of snow and ice. Experiments, games and activities using snow and ice take the chill from the February air. This free program takes place at Merkle Cabin, so take a short hike from the Nature Center to enjoy an afternoon of snowy fun.

Early Childhood Hot Cocoa and Cookies at the Farmhouse Sunday, Jan. 27 • 12:30-3:00P Learn how to make these delightful treats from scratch and with all natural ingredients!

FAMILY

The following programs have a special family rate. By registering ONE child, it is assumed that a minimum of two people (one adult and child) or a maximum of four people are attending. Do NOT register additional people, they may pay on the day of the program.

Lincoln, Logs and Lore

Tuesday, Feb. 12 • 2:45-4:15 Take a hike to Merkle Cabin, read a Lincoln story, make a Lincoln craft and play with Lincoln logs

Cooking Like a Settler

Saturday, March 9 • 10:00A-Noon Shell and grind corn, while cornbread cooks over a fire in a Dutch oven.

Stranger in the Woods

Saturday, Jan. 12 • 10:00-11:00A Listen to the story Stranger in the Woods, discover the animals that are active in winter and build a snowman using food to attract animals.

Snowshoe Ramble

Saturday, Feb. 2 • 1:00-2:30P If there’s enough snow, participants will strap on snowshoes and explore Spring Valley.

Home School Naturalist Group Programs

Sundown Supper in the Sugar Bush

Spring Valley Nature Center and Heritage Farm is the perfect place for hands-on, exploration-based science programs. Offerings change seasonally, so check the program guide regularly.

Saturday, March 2 • 4:00-6:00P Tap maple trees, gather sap, tend the boil down and enjoy pancakes with real maple syrup.

Winter Campfire in the Cabin

Winter 2012-13 topics: • Stars & Constellations – Explore the far-out world of stars while traveling the life cycle of a star, telling constellation stories and star-hopping across the winter sky.

• Pioneer Living – Travel back in time and practice pioneer skills, including weaving and cooking over a fire.

• Winter Insects – Discover what insects need to do to survive the winter while searching under logs, leaves and ice for these tiny animals.

Saturday, Jan. 26 • 6:30-8:00P Participants will tell stories, sing songs, enjoy hot chocolate and practice pioneer skills!

Winter Habitats: Spring Valley Style

Saturday, Feb. 9 • 9:30-11:00A.... Prairie Saturday, Feb. 23 • 9:30-11:00A.... Wetland Saturday, March 9 • 9:30-11:00A.... Woodland Explore the prairie, wetlands and woodlands to discover their amazing diversity.

Available every Winter: Biscuits and Butter, Conservation in Action, Woodlands, Owls: Predators of the Night, Winter Ecology, Farms and Food, Nighttime Nature

Teens

For more information or to schedule a program, call 847-985-2100.

Mammal Study Merit Badge Workshop

Saturday, Jan. 19 • 10:00A-3:00P Boy Scouts, join with certified merit badge counselors to earn your Mammal Study badge.

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S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3

Click on program/icon for information and to register online.*

*To create a new account, visit the registration desk at the CRC or download an internet registration form from www.parkfun.com. The form can be found under the registration tab.

Pretzel Making for Kids

School Day-Off Field Trips

Sunday, Feb. 10 • 1:00-2:30P Gather around the wood burning stove at the farm house and make pretzels.

Friday, Jan. 18 • 9:00A-4:00P............Field Museum Monday, Jan. 21 • 9:00A-4:00P............MSI Join Spring Valley staff and explore a great Chicago museum. Bring a lunch; dress for the weather. Be prepared for fun and adventure!

Rock Hounds for Beginners

Sunday, Feb. 17 • 1:00-3:00P Explore rocks, play rock games, sing rock songs and the examine the rock cycle.

Sleeping with the Turtles

Youth

Saturday, March 8-9 • 7:00P-8:00A Spend the night in the Nature Center, explore the new exhibits, and see what awaits you.

Animal Surprises

Sunday, Feb. 10 • 9:15-11:15A Search the prairie, wetlands and woodlands of Spring Valley looking for wildlife.

Trees-Dead or Alive

Sunday, Jan. 13 • 10:00-11:30A Explore the differences between deciduous and evergreen trees.

Cooking at the Cabin

Friday, Jan. 4 • 6:00-8:00P Leave the stove at home and explore the art of cooking with fire.

Sugar Bush Fair Schaumburg Park District's

Dolls, Dolls, Dolls

Sunday, March 3 • 1:00-3:30P Use your imagination to make three historic dolls to take home and enjoy.

Presented by

Icy Experiments

Free Admission!

Sunday, Jan. 20 • 1:00-3:00P Have fun on a cold winter day with a thermometer, frozen plants, a block of ice, burrows, trees, snow and tracks.

Maple Sugaring-Originally published by Currier & Ives

Saturday & Sunday, March 16 & 17 Enjoy a pancakes breakfast with real maple syrup, sausage, juice and coffee. See authentic demonstrations of maple syrup production, a pioneer sugar camp, children’s puppet show, hayride and sales of syrup and other goodies. Click here for more information.

Paper Bead Making

Saturday, Feb. 2 • 10:30A-Noon Make paper beads with only a few simple items.

Snowshoe Rentals Available: Beginning Dec. 1

Experience the beauty of the winter landscape in a new way! The following rental policies apply: • There must be at least 4 inches of snow on the ground before rentals will be made available.

• First-time renters will be asked to view a short video on the proper way to use snowshoes prior to taking them out.

• A rental application and liability waiver must be filled out at the Nature Center Visitor Center.

• A driver’s license or some other form of ID is required as deposit.

• Rental rate is $4 for a maximum of 3 hours for use at Spring Valley.

• Rentals are available on a first-come, first-serve basis from 9AM until 3PM. All rentals must be returned by 4:30PM. • Special youth group rates are available after 3PM on weekdays. Call to inquire. No youth groups on weekends.

• To take snowshoes off site, a deposit of $50 is required. The cost is $10 per day.

Call 847/985-2100 for more information.

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Volunteer News S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3

Spring Valley Volunteer Recognition for 2012

Spring Valley held its Volunteer Holiday Celebration and Recognition event on Saturday, December 15. It was wonderful that so many volunteers could join us for the evening’s festivities. Activities included the chance to socialize with fellow volunteers, the toasting of wassail, the pleasure of delectable food, and of course, the recognition of our fantastic volunteers. Spring Valley volunteers, along with the help of local church, corporate, school, and scout groups, contributed 12,149.25 hours in 2012. It’s wonderful to see such strong community support. Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time and talent to Spring Valley. We simply could not accomplish as much as we do without you!

As is traditionally done this time of year, we would like to specifically recognize people for their accomplishments over the past year.

First 25 hours of service:

Sharon Ogorzalek

Roger Nelson

Dave Margolis

Megan Bonney

Penny Perles

Dick Ruffolo

Joan Vodraska

Kathy DeGeus

Tom Popek

Daryle Drew

Barb Royce

300 to 399 Hours:

Ellen Hanes

Leo Salais

Jay Laski

Ten Years:

Dave Kives

Laurie Tatom

John Witkowski

Jan Costis

Vicki Mann

Bill Tucknott

Katrina Miley

Jean Tucknott

400 to 499 Hours:

Karen Kusek

Ryan Ochs

Angela Waidanz

Chuck Henry

Barb Mitchell

Ann Scacco

100 to 199 Hours:

500 to 599 Hours:

Julie Tucknott

Gail Ameer

Lynn Eikenbary

Fifteen Years:

Scott Walsh

Carol Anagnostopoulos

Tony Meo

Alan Kraus

Tom Walsh

Victor Franks, Jr.

Bob Pautsch

Ken Ogorzalek

Kaitlyn Ball

Janet Kraus

50 to 99 Hours:

Duane Bolin

Two Years:

Janet Neally

Bill Bidlo

Dean Bruckner

Amanda Greco

Dick Ruffolo

Leon Blum

Eve Carter

Dan Gryzik

Eileen Skiba

Megan Bonney

Ray Deibert

Jay Laski

Christine Curin

Barb Dochterman

Mary Matz

Twenty Years: Julie Margolis

Daryle Drew

Donna Johnson

Ryan Ochs

Nancy Fallen

Susan LaDore

Sharon Ogorzalek

Venus Gintowt

Mary Matz

Martin Sliwka

Amanda Greco

Sandy Meo

Amber Stringer

Rick Jeske

Ken Ogorzalek

Elizabeth Tatom

Arlene Krizka

Mert Rutledge

John Tatom

Karen Kusek

Donna Turner

Bob Winter

Charlie Loh

Amy Vito

Melina Lynch

Carolyn White

Note: If you are due an award and haven’t yet received it, please stop by the Nature Center by February 1 so we can personally present it to you.

Thanks you.

Five Years:

Mike Lynch

Leon Blum

Nancy Lyons

200 to 299 Hours:

Nancy Fallen

Nancy Mamsen

Victor Franks, Jr.

Venus Gintowt

Barb Muehlhausen

Pete Gigous

Chuck Henry

Janet Neally

Arthur Jeczala

Melina Lynch

Patty Ochs

Barb Mitchell

Becky Lyons 7

Volunteer News S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3

Volunteer Want Ads

If you are interested in helping with any of the following activities, please call Judy at 847/985-2100 or e-mail her at juvito@parkfun.com.

Conservation Workday

January 26 and February 23 Put on your grubby clothes, dress for the weather, and help us at our upcoming workdays. The workdays run from 9am to 1pm.

Prescribed Burn Training

Saturday, February 16 Learn the philosophy behind controlled burns and why we use this important management tool at Spring Valley.

Volunteers who attend the training will then be eligible to assist with the prescribed burns we do in spring and fall. Training is scheduled from 9am2pm in the Nature Center classroom.

Please let Judy know if you’re interested in attending.

New Volunteer Interpretive Meeting at Volkening Heritage Farm

February 16 or February 19 Have you ever considered becoming a historic interpreter at the Farm? If so, plan to attend one of the two meetings offered where you can obtain information regarding the interpretive program and learn more about an interpreter’s responsibilities and duties. We’ll meet Saturday, February 16, 9am-Noon and Tuesday, February 19, 5:30-8:30pm.

Please RSVP to Judy with your meeting date choice by Wednesday, February 8.

Sugar Bush Set-Up

March 14 & 15 Can’t help at the Sugar Bush Fair, but still want to be part of it? Join us the Thursday and Friday before the event to help set-up. We have a variety of activities which need to be done.

Come at 10am and stay for all or part of the day!

Pats on the back to the following volunteers...

• Gail Ameer, Carol Anagnostopoulos, Deanna Bruckner, Lynn Eikenbary, Mike Gear, Jean Havlir, Becky Lyons, Sandy Meo, and Barb Mitchell for decorating the Farm and Cabin in preparation for Christmas in the Valley and the holidays.

Dates to Remember

• Monday, Jan. 14.......... 1-4pm Handy Crafters Meeting

• Saturday, Jan. 26........ 9am-1pm Conservation Workday • Wednesday, Feb. 6..... 6:30-9pm Volunteer Meeting • Monday, Feb. 11.......... 1-4pm Handy Crafters Meeting • Saturday, Feb. 16........ 9am-Noon New Interpreter Meeting • Saturday, Feb. 16........ 9am-2pm Burn Training • Tuesday, Feb. 19........ 5:30-8:30pm New Interpreter Meeting

• Saturday, Feb. 23........ 9am-1pm Conservation Workday

Happy Birthday to…

January

5 11 12 19 21 23

Jim Sears Barb Dochterman Marilyn Dvoratchek Karen Delmonico Arlene Krizka Eileen Skiba

February

• Joy Bertone, Leon Blum, Ray Deibert, Karen Delmonico, Daryle Drew, Amanda Greco, Ron Haskell, Chuck Henry, Rick Jeske, Amanda, Janet and Al Kraus, Susan LaDore, Jay Laski, Mary Matz, Janet Neally, Roger Nelson, Donna Nicolaisen, Patty Ochs, Ryan Ochs, Kristi Overgaard, Tina Rokoszewski, Barb and Bob Royce, Dick Ruffolo, Mert Rutledge, Amy Vito and John Witkowski for their continuing weekly animal care assistance at Volkening Heritage Farm.

• Pat Campbell and Arthur Jeczala who help with a variety of administrative support activities on a regular basis.

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2 6 8 9

10 11

14

Donna Nicolaisen Randee Lawrence Ray Deibert Jeff Huebner Arthur Jeczala Steve Larson Sandy Meo Tom Popek Scott Walsh Leo Salais Bill Flesch

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27 28 30

16

17

23 24 25 27

Norina Waugh Pat Floreani Kaitlyn Ball Dan Greco Ann Scacco

Mike Gear Bob Winter Dave Krein Charlene Miles Roger Nelson Carolyn Bowden Dean Bruckner Janet Neally

S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • Vo l u n t e e r C a l e n d a r

Sunday

January 2013

Monday

Tuesday

1

Farm Closed Cabin Closed

Wednesday

2 W-F

Bold indicates volunteer activities

Thursday

3

6

7

•Deer Watch 4pm •Cooking at the Cabin 6pm Nature’s Night Life 7pm

New Year’s Day

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9

10

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

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•Trees – Dead or Alive? 10am Who Goes There? Noon

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Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm

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•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

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•Icy Experiments 1pm •All About Pie 1pm

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•School Day-Off Field Trip 9am

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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•Hot Cocoa and Cookies at the Farmhouse 12:30pm

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22

5

A Walk with the Birds 7:30am

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Heaven’s Watch 8pm

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•Stranger in the Woods 10am

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

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Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm

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•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

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•Nature Book Club 10am

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•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

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•School Day-Off Field Trip 9am

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•Mammal Study Merit Badge Workshop 10am

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

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•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

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Saturday

•Winter Break Camp 10am

Italics indicates programs which may be taken as complimentary by volunteers See “What’s Happening” for program descriptions

Friday

25

26

Conservation Workday 9am

•Winter Campfire in the Cabin 6:30pm

S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • Vo l u n t e e r C a l e n d a r

Sunday

February 2013

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

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Farm Closed Cabin Closed Bold indicates volunteer activities

Saturday

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•Paper Bead Making 10:30am •Snowshoe Ramble 1pm

Italics indicates programs which may be taken as complimentary by volunteers See “What’s Happening” for program descriptions

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•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

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•Animal Surprises 9:15am •Winter Explorers: Snow and Ice Noon •Pretzel Making for Kids 1pm

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Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm

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•Lincoln, Logs and Lore 2:45pm

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Presidents’ Day

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•Blacksmithing for Beginners 1pm

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Volunteer Meeting 6:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

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Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

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•Winter Habitats 9:30am

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New Interpreter Meeting 9am Prescribed Burn Training 9am

Valentine’s Day •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

•Rock Hounds for Beginners 1pm •Good Clean Fun: Soap Making Basics 1pm

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19 New Interpreter Meeting 5:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

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•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

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•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

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Conservation Workday 9am •Winter Habitats 9:30am

S p r i n g Va l l e y • N a t u r a l E n q u i r e r • J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 3 Spring Valley • Schaumburg Park District • 1111 East Schaumburg Road • Schaumburg, Illinois 60194 Schaumburg Rd.

N Plum Grove Rd.

Spring Valley is a refuge of 135 acres of fields, forests, marshes and streams with over three miles of handicappedaccessible trails, a museum featuring natural history displays and information, and an 1880s living-history farm. Spring Valley is open to the general public. Admission is free.

Vera Meineke Nature Center

Volkening Heritage Farm

Phone Vera Meineke Nature Center...............................................847/985-2100 Volkening Heritage Farm......................................................847-985-2102

135 acres

HOURS Nature Center Grounds & Trails...............Open Daily...............8AM-5PM Volkening Heritage Farm Grounds..........Closed......................Dec.1-March 1

Vera Meineke Nature Center

The earth-sheltered visitor center provides an introduction to Spring Valley’s 135 acres of restored prairies, woodlands and wetlands and three miles of trails. The center contains natural history exhibits that change seasonally, a demonstration Backyard for Wildlife, an observation tower, classrooms, an extensive library, gift sales area and restrooms.

Nature Center/Museum Hours: Year Round.............Daily*.......... 9AM-5PM Farm Interpretive Program Hours: Nov. - March............Open for Special Events April 1 - Oct. 31.......Sat/Sun....... 10AM-4PM

Tue-Fri........ 9AM-2PM Mon............ Buildings Closed

Volkening Heritage Farm

Step back into the past for a look at Schaumburg as it was in the 1880s – a rural German farm community. Help with seasonal farm chores, participate in family activities and games of the 1880s, or simply visit the livestock and soak in the quiet. Authentically dressed interpreters will welcome and share activities with visitors throughout the site.

Unless otherwise noted, all programs are held rain or shine.

Participants should dress appropriately for weather conditions.

*All facilities closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Environmental Outreach Program

Spring Valley Birthday Parties

We’ll bring our outreach program to your site. Topics include forests, worms, spiders, mammals, owls, food chains, food webs, wetlands, and the water cycle. Students will participate in hands-on activities, songs, and games. Topics may be adapted to students in grades one through six, and are correlated with Illinois State Standards.

Looking for a unique, fun, and educational venue for your child’s birthday? Spring Valley is the answer! Two party themes are available. A hayride can be added for an extra fee. Call Spring Valley for more information.

Spring Valley Firepit and Shelter Rentals

Make your next scout group, business or family gathering something special! Spring Valley offers the use of a picnic shelter and fire pit in a wooded setting near the Merkle Log Cabin. Use of the site includes firewood, trash/recycling receptacles and benches, as well as picnic tables. No alcohol or amplified music permitted. Restrooms are available at the Heritage Farm or Nature Center, a 5–10 minute walk. The adjacent Merkle Log Cabin contains a restroom and may be rented for additional fees.

Programs at Spring Valley

School, Scout and adult groups are encouraged to take advantage of Spring Valley’s Environmental Education Program.

Programs change seasonally and are geared for specific age groups. Correlations to the state standards and activity sheets are available on the SPD website, www.parkfun.com.

Learn local history with a visit to the Heritage Farm. Elementary and high school students recreate farm life in the 1880s with Hands on History; second graders experience it through Heritage Quest.

Children from the age of four through second grade will learn about food, farmers, and farm animals in Farms and Foods.

Hourly use fees: Residents:.............. $25

Civic groups:...............................$25

Non-residents:....... $40 Corporate/business groups:.......$55

Scout Badges

We offer many opportunities for scouts. Our programs will help with your badge, pin or patch requirements. Call for more information or stop in for a brochure.

Spring Valley Mission Statement:

Spring Valley’s mission is to educate area residents regarding the natural and cultural history of the Schaumburg area and how people have and continue to interact with and upon the landscape.

Schaumburg Park District BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS:

Natural Enquirer STAFF: Mary Rice Editor

Mike Daniels Sharon DiMaria David Johnson George Longmeyer Bob Schmidt

Judy Vito Volunteer Coordinator Dave Brooks “In this Issue...”

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

Scott Stompor Graphic Artist

Tony LaFrenere

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Schaumburg Park District Website: www.parkfun.com

E-mail:

springvalley@parkfun.com

Member: