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Forest preserve district celebrates 100th anniversary

The Forest Preserves of Cook County is hosting more than 100 events from Sunday, Sept. 20, to Sunday, Sept. 27, to mark its 100 years protecting and restoring the land.

The inaugural event and the last event are both being held at Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington Hills. A full list of events is at http://100years100events.com/events.

Working with many partners and volunteers, the district is putting on activities for all ages, interests and skill sets. Activities range from organized events like fishing, archery, nature hikes and bird walks to a bike ride and a horse ride.

Most of the events are free, but a number require registration and some require payment of fees. A shuttle bus will operate between Northwest suburban event sites from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Details are on the forest preserve website.

Events in the North and Northwest suburbs include:

• Art in Nature, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills. Watch artists as they paint along the scenic trails. Listen to live music, view artwork for sale and vote for your favorite artist. Try your hand at creating your own artwork - materials and instruction provided. Kids can sculpt, paint or draw. Concessions available. Info: (847) 381-6592.

• Bird Walk, 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills. Hike the trails and view native birds with the Barrington Natural History Society. Bring your binoculars. Info: (847) 381-6592.

• Night Bike Ride with Friends of the Forest Preserves, 6 to 11 p.m. Sept. 25, Busse Lake Boating Center, Elk Grove Village. This eight-mile bike trail winds through meadows, woods and along the shore of the reservoir. Enjoy live music, a bonfire and wildlife exhibits. Cost is $50; registration required. Info: (312) 356-9990 or jennie@fotfp.org.

• Night at the Nature Center, 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 25, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills. Lots of animals wake up as the sun goes down. We'll hunt for active critters outside and meet some of the nocturnal residents. Registration required. Info: (847) 381-6592.

• Basic Map and Compass Navigation, 11 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26, Busse Forest Central. Even with modern technology, the best foundation for navigation know-how is having map and compass skills. Grove 4, off Higgins Road, one mile west of Arlington Heights Road. Register at www.llbean.com/southbarington.

• Stories, Singing and Drumming of Native People, noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 26, Busse Forest Central Grove 4, same as previous event. The American Indian Center's Executive Director Andrew Johnson will provide stories about the Cherokee culture. Singer/drummer Dave Spencer will talk about the use and meaning of a hand drum to native people. Info: (224) 501-6632.

• Early Evening Ramble, 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 26, Horizon Farm, 331 Old Sutton Road, Barrington Hills. See how wildlife prepares for nightfall during a walk among the songs of the pond and sights of the prairie. Followed by a bonfire. Why not bring a sack dinner and marshmallows? Registration required. Info: bactrust1@gmail.com or (847) 387-3149.

• Jens Jensen: The Living Green, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 26, Camp Reinberg, 1801 N. Quentin Road, Palatine. Carey Lundin's film, "Jens Jensen: The Living Green," follows the career of Danish-born Jensen from street sweeper to "dean of landscape architecture," to pioneering conservationist. Followed by a campfire with s'mores. Info: (224) 501-6632.

• Breakfast and Guided Equestrian Ride, 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 27, Spring Creek Equestrian Center, 299 Bateman Road, Barrington Hills. Bring your horse and enjoy the scenery at this event hosted by the Riding Club of Barrington Hills. Then enjoy a home-cooked breakfast for a small donation. Nonriders are welcome for breakfast and to spectate. Gigi Iacovelli, a level IV Parelli instructor, will give a natural horsemanship demonstration. Info: (847) 658-9859 or (847) 732-0988.

• Fishing Derby, 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 27, Busse Lake Boating Center, Elk Grove Village Commissioner Timothy Schneider's annual event at Grove 25; enter off Higgins Road, one-fourth of mile east of I-90. To register, email tim.schneider@cookcountyil.gov or call (847) 640-1632.

At the same time and place, the Forest Preserves Fisheries Section will introduce you to a variety of fish species that live in the lakes and rivers. And from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m., instructors will teach fly casting.

• Lunar Eclipse Hike, 8 to 10 p.m. Sept. 27, Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills. Two-mile hike to watch the harvest moon become cloaked by the shadow of our home planet. Meet at the exhibit building. Sturdy shoes and comfortable clothing recommended; registration required. Info: (847) 381-6592.

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