Lake County Forest Preserves offering maple syrup programs throughout March

For more than 40 years, educators and volunteers at the Lake County Forest Preserves have led wildly popular Maple Syrup Hikes through Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods. Each March, families, school groups and scout troops learn about the process of converting sap from the preserve’s towering sugar maple trees into sweet syrup.

“Environmental educators are preparing a full slate of programs taking place in March,” said Director of Education Nan Buckardt. “We are looking forward to offering both in-person and virtual programs this spring.”

The springtime tradition kicked off with a free Maple Syrup Festival Feb. 25 at the Ryerson Welcome Center

Families are encouraged to stop by educational stations outside on the trail and inside the Welcome Center to learn about the sweet science of trees and the maple syrup process.

In-person, public Maple Syrup Hikes are offered Saturdays and Sundays, until March 19, at Ryerson Welcome Center. Led by Lake County Forest Preserves educators, the onehour hikes run every half-hour from noon to 2 p.m. and are open to all ages.

The temperature dictates what visitors will see along the trails, said Environmental Educator Jen Berlinghof.

“The timing for tapping maple trees comes down to temperature–above freezing during the day but still below freezing at night–plus precipitation and the hours of sunlight in a day,” she said. Changing temperature is what causes the sap to surge upward from the roots toward the branches, where it helps the leaves grow and the buds bloom. Then in the summer, the leaves will produce more sap, which will settle back above: Environmental educator Jen Berlinghof leads a maple syrup hike at the Lake County Forest Preserves, which is providing an array of programs in March that involve the science behind maple syrup. COURTESY down in the roots come winter, Berlinghof said.

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“Visitors are able to witness the wonder of turning sap from sugar maple trees into sweet maple syrup. All registered participants can have a taste,” Berlinghof said.

Ryerson Conservation Area has many maple trees and good soil. Syrup production only happens in late winter and early spring.

Tickets for Maple Syrup Hikes are required. Hikes fill up quickly, so register early. Cost is $6 per person. Children ages 3 and younger are free.

Purchase tickets online at lcfpd.org or call 847968-3321. Special sessions designed for scouts or other large groups are also available. Register a group by calling the ticket line.

Throughout March, teachers and scout leaders are encouraged to reserve in-person field trips. The experience includes learning where we use the maple syruping process to address Illinois learning standards, Berlinghof said. Learn more about maple syruping school programsonline or email AskAnEducator@LCFPD.org to begin the registration process.

“If your family is ready to hit the trails, there are free self-guided Maple Syrup Hikes from March 20 to 31. Through informational signs, you’ll learn the science behind how trees make sap and how we turn that sap into real maple syrup as you walk along the designated trail at your own pace,” Berlinghof said.

Browse all education programs and register online at LCFPD.org/calendar, or call 847-968-3321. Follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ LCFPD for more educational resources, webinars and videos.