Forest preserve heralds spring with maple sugaring events

Find out where maple syrup comes from by attending a Forest Preserve District of DuPage County program, starting with "Maple Sugaring" Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago.

"Explore the fascinating behind-the-scenes process of making maple syrup with these fun programs," district President Joe Cantore said.

"Maple syrup season is a sure sign that spring is right around the corner," District 6 Commissioner Al Murphy said.

• Maple Sugaring, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Discover how sap becomes syrup as you try tapping with tools from the 1890s, check the collection buckets, watch sap thicken over the fire, and try a taste of real maple syrup. All ages. Free. No registration. Info: (630) 876-5900.

• Get Sticky! Maple Syrup Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Fullersburg Woods, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. Discover the sweet secret of turning tree sap into syrup and enjoy samples along a 75-minute guided tour. Tours begin every 20 minutes. All ages; $10 per person. Register online at dupageforest.org or by calling (630) 850-8110.

Some fun facts about maple syrup:

• Maple syrup is made by boiling sap to remove excess water until it reaches a syrupy consistency. Maple sugar is made by continuing to boil the syrup until all of the water has evaporated, leaving a dry sugar.

• It takes approximately 40 to 50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup.

• Maple syrup is one of the lowest-calorie natural sweeteners at 54 calories per tablespoon. And it has a number of nutritional advantages, providing important minerals like manganese, riboflavin and zinc. It's also packed with antioxidants, which are linked to cancer prevention, increased immunity and lower blood pressure.

For information about the forest preserve district and its programs, call (630) 933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org.