Natural Enquirer: March/April

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

vol.7 no.2 • March-April ‘16

In this issue...

At Spring Valley, we are all about getting people outdoors and into nature. Time spent in a natural area is not only healthy for your body, but good for your mind and your attitude. The list could go on and on. In addition to the myriad number of reasons to get outside (Spring Valley offers a plethora of both for anyone needing inspiration or encouragement), this issue of The Natural Enquirer offers up a few possibilities you may not have thought about. Bird watching (or birding) is already popular among millions of Americans, but in case you think it lacks excitement, learn about the challenges of spotting colorful neo-tropical warblers as they migrate through Illinois in the spring. Those who like to move without the added weight of binoculars and field guides can take up the specialized search for fascinating and often beautiful plant galls. While you’re at it, you might as well enjoy the wildflowers, too. Lastly, for those who will only respond to a noble cause with a dash of radicalization, seed bombing is for you! Need more reasons? Give us a call or stop by—we’ll be happy to help!

Inside Watch Out for Warblers.......................................2 Seed Bombs..........................................................3 What’s Happenin’.............................................. 4-5 We’ve Got Galls....................................................6 Welcome to New Staff........................................10

Spring Valley General Information....................11 Volunteer News Contents Volunteer Information..........................................7 Volunteer Calendar........................................... 8-9

Schaumburg Park District

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 • M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 1 6

Watch Out for Warblers

S

treaks of orange, bright flashes of yellow, and zig-zags of black and white fill the treetops with color and motion every spring. Known by some as the “butterflies of the bird world”, migratory warblers are a sure sign that winter is behind us and spring is here! These tiny song birds can be seen in Illinois for several weeks in mid-spring as they make their arduous journey north, returning from a winter spent in the tropics.

Contrary to what most people think, warblers and other birds don’t head south to escape the cold weather. The main motivation for migrating is food. During the cold weather, the insects that make up the bulk of a warbler’s diet aren’t available. Thus, they must move to where the climate is milder in order to find food. For many species of warbler, this means a long journey from their breeding territory in the boreal forests of Canada to the steamy tropics of Central and South America.

by Derek Gronlund

on their northern migration. One of the simplest things a bird lover can do is provide water. Birdbaths can either be fancy works of art, repurposed materials, or simple homemade cement bowls.

Anything that will hold water and can be easily cleaned will work. Since most of the warbler species are small, they prefer shallow, wide basins with a rough bottom that allows them to gradually enter the water. If you hang a water-filled plastic bottle with a hole poked into the bottom over the birdbath, the sound and motion of dripping water will lure flocks of warblers out to enjoy a drink and a cool dip.

planting native bushes and trees will improve the quality of your yard to wildlife. Serviceberry, dogwood, mulberry, elderberry, and viburnum will all draw travelling warblers to your yard. In addition to providing branches on which to congregate, these plants also produce berries which many birds, including warblers, find irresistible. The flowers, fruit, and leaves also attract insects, which are another favorite food of songbirds.

Speaking of insects, one of the best ways to increase the diversity of birds attracted to your yard is to support the insect populations there. This can be done by reducing or eliminating the use of lawn chemicals and pesticides.

Many of the migratory species time their northward trip to coincide with the large hatches of insects in the spring. Insects are high in protein, and provide an abundant energy source to fuel the long journey. Some warblers will even flutter around the eaves of houses, plucking insects and spiders out of webs and crevices. Part of the fun of watching warblers is admiring their aerial acrobatics as they swoop, dive, swing, and hop after insects through tangles of branches.

Eventually, these birds reverse their fall journey, and return to northern latitudes to breed and raise young. Scientists are still figuring out why and how birds return to their sumSpring warbler migration usumer territories. One reason ally takes place in May. This is competition. In the tropics, gives beginning birders plenty there is more competition for of time to find a field guide and food and nesting sites. Dura pair of binoculars, and brush ing the winter, when food is up on some of the common scarce in the north, it makes warblers that will be moving biological sense to put up with through. In the wooded areas of high population densities in the Schaumburg, keep your eyes to south; however, once summer the sky and look for the yellowClockwise from top left: American Redstart, Black and White Warbler, Yellow rumped warbler, common yellowreturns to the north, a wealth Rumped Warbler, Yellow Warbler, Yellow Throated Warbler, Magnolia Warbler throat, black and white warbler, of food becomes available.

Also, there are more open sites availyellow warbler, and American redstart.

Warblers also seek cover when they able for nesting. Studies show that birds Spring Valley also provides many opare resting during migration. Oak which return north for the summer have portunities to become acquainted with woodlands, brushy thickets, stands of more offspring than those that remain these colorful birds. For families with dense bushes, evergreen trees, and in the tropics. Northern birds average children, check out Breakfast with the forest edges are all favorite places for 4-6 young over the course of the nestBirds. For more seasoned birders (or warblers to rest and feed. If you already ing season, while tropical birds average those looking to improve their skills) join have these types of landscapes in or only 2-3. education staff at the Nature Center for near your yard, you probably already the Spring Bird Count. Finally, if DIY is There are several ways to turn your attract warblers. If you have some open more your style, sign up for Creating yard into a warbler oasis that will atspots you are looking to fill in, or if you with Concrete to build your own rustic tract dozens of species of songbirds are replacing dead or damaged plants, concrete birdbath.

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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 • M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 1 6

Seed Bombs

“I

by Walter Plinski

n classic guerilla fashion, the man in the weather beaten GI field jacket stealthily approached his goal; resolve clearly etched on his face.

The dusky twilight would help shield him from view of what he was about to do.

A chain link fence now barred his way, but his objective was close enough.

With practiced ease he began to pitch his missiles over the fence, each landing within the intended target.”

Hand Seed Bomb

Could this scene be from a “Rambo” movie? What is happening is the modus operandi of a burgeoning group of green enthusiasts called guerilla gardeners.

These cheeky chetniks plant on land that is not theirs, without trespassing, using what has come to be called “seed bombs”. A seed bomb, or seed ball, is a seed that has been wrapped in soil materials, usually a mixture of clay, peat, and compost, and then quickly dried. In London, Berlin, Miami, and on to Los Angeles, these peaty partisans stage night-time parties or solo bombing runs, aimed at turning neglected public spaces and vacant lots into floral or food outposts.

The practice of seed bombing was used in ancient times in the Middle East, Egypt, and parts of North Africa; without presumably, the clandestine nature that surrounds it today. It was used in ancient Egypt as an expedient way to replant the rich sediments that were deposited by the annual spring flooding of the Nile. In the Carolinas of America during colonial times, West African slaves cultivated rice with a seed ball technique used in Africa. Rice seeds were coated in clay, then dried and pressed by foot

into the rice paddy. This protected seeds from birds and prevented them from floating away. More recently, in the 1930s, refitted war planes were used to drop seed bombs on the island of Oahu in an effort to reforest the more inaccessible parts of its mountainous terrain.

To make a seed ball, first select what to plant. Do not plant invasive weeds or non-native plants that may hurt an existing eco-system. Also shun plants that will not fare well without pampering. Edible vegetation can invite browsing animals and can cause a pest problem. Some popular options include bomb friendly flowers such as coneflowers, cosmos, and sunflowers. Tree species such as pines and spruces are also popular. To make a bomb, combine 5 parts clay, 1 part seed starting mix, and 1 part seeds.

Slowly add water so the mix has a dough-like consistency.

Form them into gumballMonarch Butterfly on size balls Milkweed Flower and put them into the sun to dry. Empty lots and neglected sidewalk planters are good targets to cast a barrage of seed bombs, but not your local park.

An important application for this guerilla activity concerns the monarch butterfly.

The widespread loss of the milkweed plant has been cited as a main reason behind the decline in the monarch butterfly population. Agricultural pesticides used in the U.S. and Canada, specifically the over-used “Roundup” herbicide, are to blame. Roundup contains glyphosate, which has been linked to kidney disease in humans and is devastating to milkweeds. While the issue is debated, some renegade gardeners have taken matters into their own hands. These guerillas are throwing milkweed seed bombs wherever milkweed might have a chance to grow. The bottom line is that anything anybody can do to put more milkweed out there is good!

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Hand Seed Bomb

A synergetic role for seed bombs is their proposed marriage with aerial drones.

These small remotely guided devices are currently being used for everything from delivering packages to surveying wildlife populations. A company in Britain is aiming to use them in a more progressive task, planting trees and reversing deforestation. Destruction of global forests from lumbering, mining, agriculture, and urban expansion destroys some 26 billion trees each year. It is hoped that by loading drones with seed bombs and dropping them over deforested areas, a billion trees could be planted a year. The drone system does not intend to simply drop seed bombs willy-nilly. Instead, it gathers detailed terrain data first to build high resolution maps of the areas to be reforested. The drones then fly out and perform precision planting in those areas. Instead of a “standard” seed ball, the drones will fire a pre-germinated seed into the soil with pressurized air, with the seed itself encapsulated in a nutrient-rich hydrogel pod.

What else lies in the future? A west coast design duo have made seed bombing even easier by creating Greenaid, a coin operated, fire engine red candy machine that dispenses custom-made seed bombs tailored to the local ecology.

Loaded with snappy sounding flavors like “woodland” and “riparian”, these machines are already a hit in L.A. It’s an original way of repackaging guerilla gardening for the masses!

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 • N o v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 5

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.

Programs will be cancelled three days in advance if minimum is not reached, so register early!

Spring Valley is now offering an early bird discount on programs. Prices in the current brochure reflect that discount and will be in effect until one week before the date of the program. At that time, fees will increase 15%. Programs with insufficient registration will be cancelled at noon three days before the program. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity. It is our attempt to serve you better!

Growing Up Wild: Early Childhood Teacher’s Workshop

Saturday, April 9 • 9:00 a.m.-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. Have fun with crafts, music, reading, and math and receive an activity guide.

Sharing a Small World: Environmental Activities for the Elementary & Middle School Classroom

Saturday, May 7 • 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

Discover hands-on and interdisciplinary learning strategies that challenge students (grades K-8) to make meaningful associations between individuals, communities and global issues, while building essential skills. For more information, email Lauren Boucher at Lboucher@PopContact.org. Register at springvalleynature.eventbrite.com.

ADULT or TEEN

SugarBush Fair Schaumburg Park District's

Harper College & Spring Valley

Register through Harper College or call 847/925-6707.

Class held at Spring Valley.

Backyard Butterfly Oasis

FREE ADMISSION!

Saturday, April 23 • 10 a.m.-Noon Discover how to transform a sunny patch of landscape into a space teeming with butterflies. Course: LLG0002-001

Farm to Table Cooking Series -Farm Fresh Eggs

Saturday, Feb. 28 • 10:00 a.m.-Noon Make two egg dishes using high quality eggs and other simple ingredients.

The Sound of Yoga

Friday, May 6 • 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Enjoy a relaxing night at the cabin with yoga, ancient sounds and snacks.

MAPLE SUGARING-Originally published by Currier & Ives

Saturday & Sunday, March 12 & 13

Weekly Yoga at the Cabin

Tuesday, March 22-May 17 • 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 22-May 17 • 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 24-May 19 • 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 24-May 19 • 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Enjoy a weekly yoga class in the woods at the Merkle Cabin.

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. Breakfast tickets will be available for purchase Feb. 1. Click here for more information.

Sponsored by

ALL AGES Breakfast with the Birds

Saturday, May 7 • 7:00-9:00 a.m.

Enjoy an early morning walk to look for Spring Valley’s colorful migratory birds!

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.

Owl Prowl

Saturday, April 9 • 8:00-9:30 p.m.

Take a moonlit walk through the forest and prairie to discover why owls are equipped to be the ultimate hunters of the night.

Eggsapalooza

Saturday, March 19 • 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Dye eggs using natural dyes, decorate your own spring basket, and hunt for eggs.

EARLY CHILDHOOD

Family Worm Farmers

Saturday, April 23 • 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Learn all about worms and discover how they can turn food waste into rich, organic fertilizer.

Lil’ Treehuggers

Friday, April 29 • 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Take your little one on a short hike to the Heritage Grove and meet Spring Valley’s trees.

Letterbox Adventure

Sunday, April 242 • 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Learn about letterboxes, practice following clues, create a journal and even design your own stamp.

Ready for Robins

Saturday, April 2 • 20:00-11:30 a.m.

Discover what foods a robin eats, examine real bird nests, and explore outside.

The Spring Sky

Saturday, April 2 • 8:30-10 p.m.

The spring equinox gives us our last chance to see the glorious constellations of winter, and our first glance at spring’s emptier skies. Leo, Bootes, Virgo, and Hercules are there, and it’s the best time all year to see Ursa Major, the Big Dipper. See Jupiter and its four largest moons through a telescope, find out why Polaris is so special, and learn why astronomers like the spring sky best.

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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 • N o v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 5

Weekend Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides at the Farm

Springtime Schaumburg Park District's

$4 per person • $16 per family 3 yrs & under Free

on the

Beginning April 2 , from noon-3 p.m., relax and enjoy a horsedrawn wagon ride through Heritage Farm as staff relates information about the farm, animals and the history of Schaumburg’s farm families. Dress for the weather.

Farm

• Saturdays & Sundays only • Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the ride and no earlier than 15 minutes before the start time.

• Tickets are $3/person; children 3 and under are free.

• Wagon holds a maximum of 15 people.

• Rides begin and end next to the Farm Visitor Center.

Note: Wagon rides may be cancelled due to extreme weather (storms or heat) and/or animal health issues. Wagon ride will not be offered on Special Event days. Please call 847/985-2102 or check www.parkfun.com for updated information.

S­­­­­­­­­­­­­unday, April 17 • Noon-4 p.m.

Groups of 15 and larger are encouraged to schedule their own group wagon rental. For more information, call Heritage Farm at 847/985-2102.

Spring brings new life and activity to the Heritage Farm.

Things to see and do for all ages! Activities include cow milking, plowing and blacksmithing demonstrations. Click here for more information.

YOUTH Pioneer Pancakes

Saturday, March 19 • 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Help make maple syrup the old fashioned pioneer way by collecting sap from maple trees.

&

Native Plant Sale

Spring Valley Spring Break Camp

Mon-Thur, March 21-24 • 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Spend spring break at Spring Valley. Activities include crafts, games and exploring the outdoors!

Backyards for Nature Fair

Wormy Wonders

Saturday, April 16 • 10:30 a.m.-Noon Discover the life of worms and the important things they do underground.

Sunday, May 1 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Spring Valley Nature Center Sponsored by

Home School Naturalist Group Programs

This celebration of environmental stewardship features information on landscaping with native plants, composting, attracting birds, rain gardens, natural pest control, children’s activities and plant sale. Call 847-985-2100 for information.

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.

Pre-ordering of plants is advised as some varieties may be unavailable for day-of purchase. Order forms for native plants are available online at www.schaumburggardenclub.org and for heirloom vegetables at www.springvalleynatureclub.org. Order forms may also be picked up at the Nature Center. The deadline for pre-orders is April 24!

Springtopics: • Biscuits & Butter – Experience 19th century farm life as you cook on the wood bring stove and churn your own butter.

• Animal Adaptations – Learn what special adaptations animals have to survive in the wild and see how long you would survive at Spring Valley if you had these adaptations.

• Weather – Explore different types of weather and make a simple tool to make your own weather predictions.

• Mosses & Mushrooms – Create a spore print, go on a search for mushrooms and build your own moss filled terrarium.

Co-sponsored by the Schaumburg Park District and Schaumburg Community Garden Club

HERITAGE FARM DROP-IN DAYS Chocolate Candy Drop-in Day Saturday, April 9 • 10 a.m.-Noon

Available every spring: Farms and Food, Gardening, Nighttime Nature, Owls: Predators of the Night, Springtime Growth, Wetlands, Conservation in Action, Woodlands

Easter may have passed but that doesn’t mean the chocolate candy experience has to end! Drop by the Heritage Farm between 10 a.m. and noon and make your own chocolate candy creation. When you are done be sure to visit the farm house to learn more about chocolate in the 19th century.

For more information about programs and pricing, or to schedule a program, call 847/985-2100.

$2 a participant

Mother’s Day Celebration Sunday, May 8 • 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

On Mother’s Day, the Heritage Farm will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., children are welcome to drop in to the Heritage Farm’s Visitor’s Center to make a simple and free Mother’s Day craft for their mother.

FREE admission and all ages welcome.

Sunset Fire and Picnic on the Prairie Saturday, April 2 • 6-8:30PM • Spring Valley

$3 per person • $12 per family (up to 6 people)

The prairie fires that awed and frightened early settlers to Illinois were vital to the health and well-being of the prairie landscape.

This popular program provides insight into just how important fire was—and still is—to natural areas. Bring a picnic or purchase grilled food and beverages. Following dinner and a brief presentation, a portion of Spring Valley’s prairie will be burned at sunset, visible from a safe distance. Tickets may be purchased at the door. (Rain date: 4/9/16) Click here for more information.

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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 • M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 1 6

We’ve Got Galls

A

by Matt McBrien

gall is a distinct outgrowth of tissue on trees and other plants in response to an irritation commonly caused by bacteria, fungi, or an insect.

It is also referred to as a tumor. A gall can often grow two to three times the diameter of the stem or tissue on which it occurs. In most instances, because of their distinct form and structure, they can often be easily identified without seeing the particular insect or parasite that caused the gall to form. Galls of various shapes and sizes are very common in nature and below are just a few that can be spotted at Spring Valley.

tissue layer and into the stem. In response, the stem of the plant produces a very distinct round tissue mass around the insect in the shape of a ball. Once inside the stem, larvae feed on the plant tissue, safely protected from predators, before emerging the following spring.

This cycle continues without any noticeable disturbance to the plant itself, aside from the mass on the stem.

Another type of gall, the nipple gall, can be found on the leaf of the hackberry tree.

This gall is caused by an insect called a psyllid, a small grayish Cedar Apple colored bug The most distincRust on Cedar that, under tive and easily visCedar Apple magnificaible galls appear as Rust on Apple tion, closely large masses along Leaf resembles tree trunks. These a miniature deformities often exhibit a norcicada. mal outer bark layer with a wildly Hackberry twisted and contorted inner grain galls are pattern hidden beneath. These created patterns are the result of rapid when adult and abnormal cell diviGoldenrod psyllids, sion and tissue growth Gall fresh out in response to the paraof hibernation in spring, site. Some tree galls, lay their eggs on emergcalled burls, are rare ing hackberry leaves. and highly sought after After the eggs hatch, for their peculiar and the young begin to feed, distinct grain. Prized by and the leaf responds by furniture makers, artists, growing abnormally. Like and wood sculptors, the goldenrod ball gall, burls can fetch up to the hackberry leaves $80 per pound. develop a small pocket, Galls on plant stems surrounding the and tree leaves, howinsect, and formever, are more common ing a gall. There, than those found on the small insect tree trunks. One that sustains itself by Tree Gall can be easily found feeding on the and identified is that of the goldenrod sap of the tree, emerging the ball gall. Aptly named for its shape, this following spring to continue the round gall is caused by a small brown cycle. parasitic fly called the goldenrod gall fly or Eurostis fly. After choosing a mate, the female lays her eggs on the stem of a goldenrod plant during spring. After about ten days, the eggs hatch and the resulting larvae burrow through the outer

Finally, and my personal favorite, is that of the cedar apple rust gall. This gall, caused by a fungal pathogen called Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae, 6

requires two hosts (crabapples/apples and eastern red cedar) for survival. Cedars exposed to this fungus form small round galls, between ½ -1½ inches in diameter, that can be found throughout the tree on both the needles and twigs.

With spring rains, these galls mature and swell dramatically to that of a baseball sized orange, gelatinous fruiting body with horn-like structures. When rains subside, these galls dry out and release their spores through the hornlike structures that surround the mass.

The spores can then be carried aloft for miles before a chance encounter with its secondary host, an apple or crabapple tree.

To successfully complete its life cycle, cedar apple rust spores must find a susceptible apple or crabapple host. Once infected, the leaves and fruit of the host develop spots and stalked fruiting bodies called aecia. A perfect combination of rainfall and temperature is required for successful fungal incubation to occur. From spore release on the primary cedar host to infection and successful incubation on the secondary apple host, the cedar apple rust gall requires a full 24 months to complete its life cycle.

These seemingly inconspicuous gall structures are often overlooked by the casual observer, but with a closer look, they can reveal some interesting and unexpected shapes and forms hidden beneath. Next time you visit Spring Valley or any natural area, take a closer look at the trees and plants that line the walking trails. You may be surprised to find that galls are much more common than you might expect.

Interior Burl Wood

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 • M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 1 6

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.

Sugar Bush Set-Up

Thursday, March 10 Can’t help at the Sugar Bush Fair, but still want to be part of it? Join us the before the event to help set-up. We have a variety of activities which need to be done. Come at 9:30am and stay for all or part of the day!

Sugar Bush

Saturday & Sunday, March 12 & 13 Have you thought about volunteering for the fair, but haven’t talked to Judy yet? Please give her a call. Shift time is 8am-12:30pm. Remember – there’s a free pancake breakfast for all volunteers!

Annual Heritage Farm Volunteer Meeting

Friday, March 18 If you volunteer in any capacity at the Heritage Farm or just want to find out about volunteer opportunities there, you are invited to attend this meeting held at the Nature Center Visitor Center from 6-8pm.

Attendance by all volunteers involved with interpretation, livestock care, and kitchen gardening is strongly

encouraged. Staff will fill you in on the plans for the Farm for 2016. Feel free to come early at 5:30pm to socialize with your fellow volunteers while enjoying a potluck dinner provided by volunteers and staff. Come and help kick off the Farm’s upcoming volunteer season!

Sunset Fire and Picnic on the Prairie

Saturday, April 2 Trained prescribe burn volunteers are needed to assist at this unique program which provides insight into how important fire is to natural areas. The burn crew will help oversee this sunset prairie burn for 6-8:30pm.

Springtime on the Farm

Sunday, April 17 Volunteers are needed to help our guests experience a busy spring on the Farm. Help prepare the fields and gardens for planting, do some spring cleaning 1880s style, or assist with children’s activities. The event runs from noon to 4pm.

Dates to Remember • Monday, March 14....... 1-4 p.m.

Handy Crafters Meeting

• Thursday, March 10..... 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sugar Bush Set-Up • Sat. & Sun., March 12 & 13 9 a.m.-Noon................. Sugar Bush • Friday, March 18.......... 5:30-8 p.m.

Annual Farm Kick-off Meeting • Tuesday, April 5........... 5-7 p.m.

Volunteer Reception at Chandlers • Monday, April 11.......... 1-4 p.m.

Handy Crafters Meeting • Sunday, April 17........... Noon-4 p.m.

Springtime on the Farm

Happy Birthday to…

March

1 3 4

5 8 12 13

John Curin Kevin Kaitis Karen Kusek Lisa Michelini John Witkowski Jenny Greco Roy Svenson Alan Kraus

April

Schaumburg Park District Volunteer Recognition Tuesday, April 5

Join the Park District at its annual volunteer recognition event at Chandlers. Keep an eye out for your invitation which will be arriving in the mail.

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1 Daryle Drew Ellie Vogel 5 Emma Rogers 11 Duane Bolin 12 Autumn Latus 14 Patty Ochs

15 Barb Kuhn 17 Barb Muehlhausen Mike Pizzo 23 Christine Curin 28 Bob Pautsch 30 Amy Vito 31 Elly Rogenski

17 Ryan Ochs 18 Natalie Lichtenberg 19 Bill Bidlo 20 Jerome Dvoratchek Bruce Glesne 24 Charlie Loh

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

Monday

Tuesday

MARCH 2016

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Farm Closed

Wednesday

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Thursday

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Friday

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Saturday

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Cabin Closed Bold indicates volunteer activities 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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•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm •Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm Savings 13 Daylight Time Begins

Sugar Bush Fair 9am

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Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm

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Spring Valley Nature Club 6:30pm

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

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Sugar Bush Set-Up 9:30am

Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm

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Wormy Wonders 10:30am

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•Spring Valley Spring Break Camp 10am

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

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Easter

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

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

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

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Sugar Bush Fair 9am

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

St. Patrick’s Day

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•Farm to Table Cooking – Eggs 10am •Eggsapalooza 10am •Pioneer Pancakes 1pm

Annual Farm Volunteer Meeting 5:30pm

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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 • Vo l u n t e e r C a l e n d a r

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

APRIL 2016 Wednesday

Thursday

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Farm Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-2pm • Sat/Sun 10am-4pm

Saturday

Friday

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•Ready for Robins 10am

Cabin Closed Bold indicates volunteer activities Italics indicates programs which may be taken as complimentary by volunteers

•Sunset Fire and Picnic on the Prairie 6pm The Spring Sky 8:30pm

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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Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm

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All About Animals 10am

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

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Springtime on the Farm Noon

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All About Animals 10am

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Spring Valley Nature Club 6:30pm

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•Letterbox Adventures 1pm

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All About Animals 10am

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

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

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

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•Owl Prowl 8pm

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Wormy Wonders 10:30pm

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

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

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•Chocolate Candy Drop-in Day 10am

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

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Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm

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•Backyard Butterfly Oasis 10am •Family Worm Farmers 1:30pm

Passover

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•Lil’ Tree Huggers 10am

•Walpurgis Night Bonfire and Wagon Ride 6pm

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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 • M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 1 6

Welcome to New Staff My name is Mary Stupen and I am the Outreach Instructor at Spring Valley. I love teaching nature and science. It has always been a personal goal to help protect the environment and have found I can do that through educating young and old about the wonderful nature we have here and how to protect it.

My name is Kyle Wenz and I just began working as an Environmental Education Assistant at Spring Valley. I was born and raised right here in the suburbs of Chicago. I have moved around a bit in my past but am back in the ‘burbs as a resident of Bartlett. I graduated from Carthage College with undergraduate degrees in Environmental Science and Geography, Earth Science.

My education is in Environmental Science, Biology, and Natural Resources. My professional background spans the Peace Corps, plant propagation, rare native plant population conservation research, business and selling, formal, informal teaching, and organizational programing. I have 1 husband, 3 kids, 1 dog, 7 hermit crabs, 7 big goldfish, 9 danio fish, 5 cherry barbs, and 1 beta fish. I enjoy gardening, living Green, and sharing nature and science with my family. I am very active in my children’s school with environmental education and other social events. I am extremely happy to be working here. Everyone has been so friendly in welcoming. It has made it even more wonderful.

I have a true passion for our earth, especially when it comes to spreading what knowledge I have gained about our natural world with those around me, especially children. Spring Valley will be the sixth organization where I have done environmental education programming over the past four years. Most recently, I worked as an EE instructor with the Lake County Forest Preserves. If it’s a nice day outside, you’ll find me on some outdoor adventure hiking around. If it’s one of the not so pleasant days we experience here in the Chicago area, you’ll find me indoors lost in a book. I am looking forward to what adventures lay ahead of me here at Spring Valley!

Coming Soon!

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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 • M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 1 6 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.

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 aligned with Illinois State Standards and NGSS.

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, connections with NGSS, 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.

Scout Badges

Hourly use fees:

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’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.

Residents:.............. $25

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

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

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...”

Scott Stompor.... Graphic Artist

SCHAUMBURG PARK DISTRICT WEBSITE: www.parkfun.com

E-MAIL:

springvalley@parkfun.com

MEMBER:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Tony LaFrenere

Participants should dress appropriately for weather conditions.

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

Environmental Outreach Program

SPRING VALLEY MISSION STATEMENT:

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

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