Natural Enquirer: November/December 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.6 • Nov.Dec. ‘13

Spring Valley is wrapping up its 30th year serving Schaumburg and the surrounding communities! It has been an exciting and busy year as we’ve celebrated our humble origins and the path we’ve followed. During the past three decades, attendance at Spring Valley’s programs and the number of daily visitors to walk the trails has increased from about 6,000 in 1984 to over 100,000 today. Numbers of school children visiting during educational field trips as well as summer campers participating in our diverse summer camp offerings have increased each year. Even with all of this human activity, Spring Valley has increased its native prairie acreage to approximately 60 acres, and over hundreds of native trees and shrubs have been planted in an effort to re-create the prairie-savanna-wetland matrix that existed here prior to settlement. Wildlife diversity and overall numbers have increased as habitats have improved. Overall, the trend over the years has been toward increased land health and increased biodiversity. This has translated to improved opportunities to help people connect to the land and increase their understanding of natural systems and the value of protecting them for future generations.

Inside Where There’s Smoke There’s Fauna.................2 Spring Valley to Host MOMCC Conference........3 What’s Happenin’.............................................. 4-5 Artifact Highlight (Bee Skeo VHF 95.10.1).........6 Meet Our Environmental Ed. Assistants............6 Spring Valley General Information....................10

Volunteer News Contents Volunteer Information..........................................7 Volunteer Calendar........................................... 8-9 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 • N o v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 3

Where There’s Smoke There’s Fauna

T

by Matt Streitmatter

he summer and autumn bloom has come and gone and the stark colors have all but faded in nearby natural areas. The seemingly desolate prairie now only displays the tall chaff of another year’s successful crop of warm season grasses, goldenrods, asters, compass plant, and a variety of other dormant forbs (broad-leaved plants). With “prairie tumbleweed” clusters of white wild indigo stalks blowing across the trails, an eerie ghost town backdrop has replaced the once industrious city-like ecosystem of months past. The remaining plant material that covers the cooling soil offers the perfect fuel for fall prescribed burns.

In addition to kick starting native vegetation, prescribed fire also helps to replenish and bring back many species of animals and insects to the bio-network. The relationship between fire and an ample variety of organisms has evolved from early Native American practices (where an abundance of big game was observed after natural occurring wildfires) to the scientific and technical process that agencies have adopted today. With proper methods, prescribed burns can be conducted in the safest way possible for surrounding wildlife, while benefiting the overall ecosystem for years to come.

Much has been said about the benefits of prescribed burns to native plant propagation and invasive species control. But, in looking a step further, fire also has a long term positive impact on insects and animals, as well. It is quite apparent that a higher quality ecosystem is one that is thriving with diversity. Prescribed burns provide the tool to encourage an immense assortment of flora and fauna by preventing a mono-cultured environment. Different species of plants act as different hosts for a variety of organisms. Pollinators like monarch butterflies rely on milkweed, Karner blue butterflies on wild lupine, and even the ruby throated hummingbirds feed on royal catchfly nectar. Without this range of plant species, these and many other creatures would not frequent our natural areas. Plants and insects can represent a first link in the food chain and where they exist, larger predators will follow.

So, as a prescribed burn heals the landscape, it also promotes and invites insects and animals to return in large numbers.

Timing is everything in relation to animal safety during a fire. Late fall and early spring are the target months due to weather conditions and the dormant fuel base. At these times of the year, insects are inactive and grassland birds have migrated. While burning, the crew will always start with a back burn. This slow burn against the wind provides a safe buffer zone to prevent the fire from jumping the mowed breaks. Animals are instinctively adapted to fire, and the back burn will send up a red flag or smoke signal, if you will. Once the back burn line is set, it is fascinating to see voles, mice, and rabbits tunnel their way out of the tall grass to safety. Flank fires are the next step, as two of the sides of the selected plot are ignited. This

process still leaves an entire side of the prairie untouched, providing additional time for animals to move out of the site.

Burning in sections rather than completing one giant ring around the area also offers escape routes for the crew, and the fauna that call the prairie home.

In some cases, burns can have a negative short term effect on certain species. Fall burns, initially, can decrease insect populations within a burned site because of the loss of eggs in the soil or attached to chaff; however, these species are extremely prolific breeders and return in numbers rapidly. Soil dwelling insects are affected the most by prescribed burns, because of their lack of mobility. Nonetheless, high heat from a burn will only penetrate about two inches into the soil. So, many insects and burrowing animals are entirely safe as the flames pass by. A complete burn, where 100% of the fuel in a site is combusted, generally does not occur due to patchy fuel bases or wet areas. These swaths provide safe zones within the plot. Neighboring relief sections are left alongside a burned site to act as a respite and to ensure that wildlife still has a sufficient nearby habitat until the blackened soil revives.

Whether it is evolution or natural instinct, predators also have a direct relation with fire. As the blaze spreads, it doesn’t take long for red tailed hawks to slice through the rising smoke to find a lookout spot 2

Hawk Dining on Roasted Vole

on a nearby oak. They know rodents and smaller mammals are on the move and are quick to take advantage.

Coyotes are frequently spotted hours and days after a burn, casually trotting through the charred terrain targeting voles and rabbits. Once the regrowth process begins, white tailed deer also graze easily on their favorite forbs unobstructed by the tall grass and wild roses that were once present.

As native plants sprout through the replenished soil the following growing season, animals and insects, in turn, follow suit. The cycle continues, year after year, as the wildlife of the prairie have adapted and unknowingly relied on fire.

Due to the lack of connecting natural areas throughout the Midwest, prescribed fire is a necessary tool needed to protect and stimulate the few prairies, woodlands, and wetlands that are left.

The reboot process will ensure a diverse food chain and a healthy habitat for plants, insects and animals alike.

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 3

Spring Valley to Host MOMCC Conference On November 7th, 8th and 9th Spring Valley will host the 33rd annual meeting of the Midwest Open air Museums Coordinating Council. Over the last twenty years, MOMCC has been an active participant in the development of the Volkening Heritage Farm at Spring Valley. As current president of MOMCC, I thought it appropriate that I share a little about the organization and Spring Valley’s involvement with it.

The idea of MOMCC came about in 1978 when a group of open-air museum colleagues met at the Midwest Museums Conference to ponder the idea of organizing a committee of open air sites.

The purpose of the committee, according to the MOMCC bylaws, is to “promote excellence and to provide a forum for the interchange of materials, information, ideas and consideration of professional issues within the open air, interactive, and historical museum professions.

This is accomplished through regularly scheduled conferences as well as the Midwest Open Air Museums Magazine and additional printed and electronic resources.”

in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, MOMCC has grown to more than 110 institutions and nearly 350 individual members. The organization has hosted 65 conferences at sites all over the Midwest and has published nearly 100 issues of MOMCC magazine. In 1989, MOMCC became the Midwest regional affiliate of the Association for Living History, Farms and Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM). This relationship, which has at times been strained, has nevertheless led both organizations to better serve the field of living history and outdoor museums.

When the Volkening Heritage Farm was first proposed at Spring Valley, few park districts in the country had undertaken such an ambitious project.

The Schaumburg Park District wisely

by Jon Kuester sought out the advice of MOMCC and ALHFAM and recruited staff from their ranks. Carol Smith, Larry Miller, Jennifer Van Haaften, Jill Chwojko-Frank, Pete Noll, Patty Kennedy-Green, and I have all come through the door opened by MOMCC and ALHFAM. This relationship has been reciprocal, as well, since many staff from Spring Valley have served MOMCC in some capacity. At one time or another, Spring Valley staff have served as MOMCC’s President, Vice President, Board Member-at-Large, Editor in Chief, and Webmaster. In all, Spring Valley staff members have been elected to the MOMCC board of directors seven times and filled three appointed positions as well as hosting two conferences.

This fall, as professionals from around the Midwest and beyond gather in Schaumburg, I invite you to participate in all this wonderful organization and our wonderful site have to offer.

Conference brochures and information about MOMCC are available at the Volkening Heritage Farm’s front desk or by visiting MOMCC.org.

From its humble beginnings of just five institutions

Shopping at our

Woods & Fields

In addition to our natural areas, walking trails, living history farm, and wonderful programs, Spring Valley also provides some great gift ideas.

While we may not be Woodfield Mall, you can be sure that the items sold in our gift case are educational and reasonably priced.

Spring Valley honey, Spring Valley t-shirts, bug boxes, children’s games, and a variety of excellent books on nature and history are available. All proceeds from these sales benefit Spring Valley. The Spring Valley Nature Club also has attractive Spring Valley shirts, the sale of which benefits the Club. So, forget the high-priced malls, the traffic and parking, and purchase meaningful gifts at our Woods and Fields!!

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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 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.

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

Growing Up Wild: Early Childhood Teacher Workshop

Saturday, Jan. 11 • 9:00AM-Noon Take part in a hands-on workshop designed for early childhood educators.

Project Learning Tree: Educators’ Workshop

Saturday, Jan. 25 • 9AM-3PM An award-winning environmental education program for teachers, scout leaders, parents and community leaders working with youth through grade 12.

ADULT or TEEN

Additional workshops are being developed.

For up-to-date information, visit www.parkfun.com/SpringValley/programs.

Deer Watch

Friday, Jan. 3 • 4:00-5:30PM Go on a hike in search of deer and learn all about them.

Harper College & Spring Valley

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

Class held at Spring Valley.

Owl Adventure

Blacksmithing for Beginners

Saturday, Nov. 16 • 7:00-8:30PM Visit Spring Valley for an adventure to discover the secrets of these night-time hunters.

Saturday, Nov. 16 • 1:00-4:00PM Warm yourself by the red glow of the forge as you discover the timeless and practical craft of blacksmithing. Course: LEI 0078

Early Childhood

Blacksmithing for Beginners II

Sunday, Nov. 23 • 1:00-4:00PM This follow-up to the beginning blacksmithing class allows participants to take their skills to the next level. Course: LEI 0079

Nature and Fall

Sunday, Nov. 14 • Noon-1PM Children will explore the world around them, focusing on the season’s beauty.

Weekly Yoga at the Cabin

FAMILY

Tuesday, Jan. 7 - March 11 • 6:00-7:00PM Tuesday, Jan. 7 - March 11 • 7:30-8:30PM Thursday, Jan. 9 - March 13 • 6:30-7:30PM Thursday, Jan. 9 - March 13 • 8:00-9:00PM Enjoy a weekly yoga class in the woods at the Merkle Cabin.

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.

All About Apples

Sunday, Nov. 24 • 9:30-11:00AM Enjoy this amazing fall fruit in an adventure that’s all about apples.

All Ages

Nature Stories

Free - Heaven’s Watch

Sunday, Nov. 15 • 7:30-8:30PM Nature and stories go hand in hand. There are many stories to tell and books to read.

Sat., Nov. 23 • 8PM..........Jewels of Andromeda Sat., Dec. 21 • 8PM..........The Pleiades Sat., Jan. 4 • 8PM..........Comet ISON Join Chicago Astronomical Society as they set their telescopes for a peek at the night skies.

Meet in the Nature Center.

Winter Campfire in the Cabin

Friday, Jan. 3 • 6:30-8:00PM Participants will tell stories, sing songs, enjoy hot chocolate and practice pioneer skills!

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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 3

Hoghouse to Smokehouse SUNDAY, NOV. 3 NOON-4PM Volkening Heritage Farm

$2 per person $8 per family 3 yrs & under Free

Winter: Solstice Celebration

Discover how 1880s farm families put meat on their tables and preserved food for the long, cold winter. Click here for more information.

Sponsored by

Schaumburg Park District presents...

Saturday, Dec. 21 • 3:00-5:00PM Celebrate the first day of winter as the shortest day of the year gives way to the longest night.

at Volkening Heritage Farm & Merkle Cabin Experience the holiday season as it was in 1880s Schaumburg. Victorian decorations and traditional German foods filled the home with light and warmth as farm work continued at Sponsored by its own pace. Click here for more information.

Youth Cabin Cooking, Pioneer Style

Friday, Nov. 15 • 5:00-7:00PM Step back in time and cook like a pioneer in Spring Valley’s own log cabin.

Sat./S­­­­­­­­­­­­­un., Dec. 7 & 8 • Noon-4PM

Spring Valley Winter Break Camp

$2 per person • $8 per family • 3 yrs & under Free

Friday, Dec. 23-27 • 9:30AM-2:30PM Spend three days exploring Spring Valley.

No camp 12/24 & 12/25.

Spring Valley Holiday Bazaar

Home School Naturalist Group Programs 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 & Sunday , Nov. 30 & Dec. 1 • 10AM-4PM The Nature Center becomes a festive holiday gift shop for two days as numerous vendors of hand-crafted items display their unique creations. Admission is free. Event is sponsored by the Spring Valley Nature Club. For information, call Spring Valley at 847/985-2100.

Winter 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.

Aldo Leopold – A Standard of Change Sunday, Nov. 10 • 7-8PM

Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg

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

This one-man play written by and starring storyteller Jim Pfitzer brings noted 20th century conservationist, philosopher and writer Aldo Leopold back to the humble ‘shack’ that inspired many of his ground-breaking ideas about ecology, conservation and culture.

Click for more information.

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

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 four inches of snow on the ground before rentals will be made available.

• First-time renters will be asked to view a short videotape 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 three hours for use at Spring Valley.

• Rentals are available on a first-come, first-served 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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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 3

Artifact Highlight (Bee Skep VHF 95.10.1) skeps were often housed together to allow bee keepers to capture swarming bees and expand their hives.

Skep

The bee skep, or bienenkorb as it is known in German, is a traditional rye straw container used to house honey bees. The style of the Volkening Heritage Farm’s straw skep (an artifact which is preserved as a collection piece, but not used) dates back to the middle ages when bees were first introduced to Europe. The honey bee was first introduced into America around 1622 and quickly became feral, spreading across the eastern United States. Settlers often captured these feral bees in bee boxes and transported them back to their homes or orchards. Bee skeps or gums, hollow sections of log set up on end, were used to house the bees. Straw skeps were protected from weather to make them last longer by placing them under a small roofed structure called a skep house or by covering the skep with canvas or plastering its outside. Multiple

by Jon Kuester hive, the bees are often moved to a new skep in order to rebuild. This limits the ability of the bee keeper to harvest honey and wax more than once or twice a season if the bees are going to survive the winter.

The skep is produced by making a long rope of rye straw by twisting it through a cannon or thimble, a hollow tube usually made from a section of cow horn.

The modern frame box used to house The straw rope is then laced with a bees today was developed in the 1830s strong cord or bramble into the circuin order to enable bee keepers to lar skep. Once a queen is introduced retrieve honey into the skep without destroyit is placed ing the hive. on a board or The wooden plank and set frame box did in a protected not need to be place. A small protected from whole is cut the weather near the base and could of the skep for more easily the bees to be moved to enter. Honey areas where bees will glue bee activity was the skep to the beneficial such board with wax as orchards. to prevent any Temporary apicold breeze or aries were often intruders from established for entering the Skep House the growing hive and will season and then the boxes moved to then construct their hive hanging from more protected areas for the winter. the inside of the skep. In order for the While the frame box was superior to the bee keeper to harvest the honey from skep, many skeps continued to be used the skep he must cut it loose from the th until the 20 century and are still in use board and detach the sections of the in Europe and the Near East. hive. As this effectively destroys the

Meet our Environmental Education Assistants

Hi, my name is Ryan Bourgart. I began working here at the Nature Center at the beginning of September. I graduated from Valparaiso University with my Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, exploring nature, writing, reading, playing and listening to music, and playing sports. I have thoroughly enjoyed working here for the past couple of weeks and am sure it will continue to be a good experience.

My name is Liz Kuehn, and I am excited to be joining the Spring Valley team as a part-time Environmental Education Assistant. This May I graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL, with a degree in Environmental Studies. During my four years at IWU, I interned with Sugar Grove Nature Center in McLean, IL and the Ecology Action Center in Normal, and spent a Ryan Bourgart semester studying abroad in Australia. This summer I worked at the Chicago Botanic Garden facilitating interpretive programs and managing volunteers. I love being outside and spending time with family and friends. I’m looking forward to meeting you, so stop by and say “Hi!”

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Liz Kuehn

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 • N o v e m b e r / D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 3

Dates to Remember

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

November 16 • 9am-Noon We’ll be out on the grounds working on a conservation project. Come for all or part of the day!

Christmas in the Valley

December 7 & 8 • Noon-4pm Volunteers are needed to assist with our Victorian Christmas celebration on Saturday and Sunday, December 7 & 8.

We’re looking for farm interpreters as well as other volunteers to assist with craft projects, food sales, and the information booths.

Volunteer Holiday Celebration and Recognition

December 14 If you have logged at least 25 hours of volunteer time this past year or are a new Spring Valley volunteer who joined in 2013, we hope you can join us for our annual volunteer recognition event. Keep an eye out for your invitation and be sure to RSVP for this festive evening.

It’s that time of year again! November 30 marks the end of the year as far as Spring Valley Volunteer recordkeeping goes. PLEASE be sure that all of your hours are recorded!! There are volunteer record books located at both the Nature Center and the Farm. If you can’t make it in to log the hours yourself, drop Judy an e-mail or give her a call and she’ll do it for you. All hours must be compiled by the end of November. Thanks!

Recorded volunteer hours aid us in writing grant applications and are a tangible way of showing community support of our programs. Volunteer hours also benefit you in the form of points which may be redeemed as part of the Park District’s Mileage Club. This is the program in which you receive one point for every hour you volunteer. Points can be redeemed in increments of ten for such things as Water Works passes, golf outings, massages, fitness passes, and discounts on class registrations.

To redeem your points, call Judy Vito at 847/985-2100.

Pats on the back to the following volunteers...

• Eve Carter, Barb Dochterman, Melina Lynch, Donna Turner, and Joan Vodraska for helping to cover the Farm front counter.

• In preparation for Autumn Harvest Fest: Carol Anagnostopoulos, Dean Bruckner, Lynn Eikenbary, Nancy Mamsen, Barb Mitchell, Angela Waidanz, and Carolyn White for picking apples; Lynn Eikenbary and Carolyn White for making cornbread; Lynn Eikenbary, Pete Gigous, Bruce Glesne, Arthur Jeczala, Bruce Kuhnhofer, Tony Meo, Barb Mitchell, Ken Ogorzalek, Renata Riccobon, Bob Royce, and Donna Turner for cleaning and general set-up.

• All the volunteers who donated their time to help make Autumn Harvest Festival and Haunting in the Valley enjoyable events for all of our patrons.

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• Sunday, Nov. 3................... Noon-4pm Hoghouse to Smokehouse • Monday, Nov. 11................ 1-4pm Handy Crafters Meeting • Saturday, Nov. 16.............. 9am-1pm Conservation Workday • Monday, Nov. 25................ 1-4pm Handy Crafters Bazaar Prep • Saturday, Dec. 7................ Noon-4pm Christmas in the Valley • Sunday, Dec. 8.................. Noon-4pm Christmas in the Valley • Monday, Dec. 9.................. 1-4pm Handy Crafters Meeting • Saturday, Dec. 14.............. 5:30-8:30pm Volunteer Holiday Celebration

Welcome New Volunteers…

• • • •

Sandy Anlar Andrea Farnham Bruce Glesne Michael LaVant

• • • •

Pat Dillon Andy Farnham Lori Kandl Rachela Ranaldi

Happy Birthday to…

November

2 5 6 8 9 10 11 13

Martin Sliwka Deanna Bruckner Joy Bertone Mert Rutledge Walter Plinske Renata Riccobon Bernadette Kolasa Paula Waterman

December

1 2 3 9 11 12 17 18

Susan Champagne Victoria Mann Jay Laski Bill Forst Bill Schooley Arissa Sato Amber Stringer Tom Perles

14 19 21

23 28

29

23 25

30

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Judy Leon Robin Barr Dennis Colbert Louisa Walsh Bob Royce Nancy Mamsen Bob Schmidt Sharon Ogorzalek

Laura Walsh Elizabeth Moorman Rich Ringfelt George Bailey Becky Lyons Helga Niewiadomski Jack Reilly

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

November 2013

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Farm Closed

Friday

Saturday

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2

8

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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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Hoghouse to Smokehouse Noon

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5

6

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

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Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm

Veterans Day

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12

•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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Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm

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

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•All About Apples 9:30am •Nature and Fall Noon

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Handy Crafters Bazaar Prep 1pm

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

15 •Cabin Cooking, Pioneer Style 5pm •Nature Stories 7:30pm

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Hanukkah 8

Thanksgiving

•Owl Adventure 7pm

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•Blacksmithing for Beginners II 1pm

•Heaven’s Watch 8pm

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

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Conservation Workday 9am •Blacksmithing for Beginners 1pm

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Holiday Craft Bazaar 10am

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

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Holiday Craft Bazaar 10am

December 2013

Monday

2

Tuesday

3

Wednesday

4

5

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

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Christmas in the Valley Noon

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Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm

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16

17

11

23

•Winter Break Camp 9:30am

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6

12

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Christmas in the Valley Noon

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•Winter Break Camp 9:30am

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•Winter Solstice Celebration 3pm

•Heaven’s Watch 8pm

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

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Volunteer Holiday Recognition 5:30pm

•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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Saturday

Friday

•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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Thursday

27

•Winter Break Camp 9:30am

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Christmas

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Farm Closed 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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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 3 Spring Valley • Schaumburg Park District • 1111 East Schaumburg Road • Schaumburg, Illinois 60194 Schaumburg Rd. Vera Meineke Nature Center

Plum Grove Rd.

N Volkening Heritage Farm

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

135 acres

HOURS

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.

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.

Environmental Outreach Program

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.

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

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.

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.

Schaumburg Park District BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS: Mike Daniels Sharon DiMaria David Johnson George Longmeyer Bob Schmidt

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Tony LaFrenere

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

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

Spring Valley Birthday Parties

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.

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

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

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

Natural Enquirer STAFF: Mary Rice Editor

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

Scott Stompor 10 Graphic Artist

Schaumburg Park District Website: www.parkfun.com

E-mail:

springvalley@parkfun.com

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