Forest Preserve notes

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County will offer the following programs. No reservations are required and programs are free, unless otherwise noted. For details, visit www.dupageforest.com.

Ice Harvesting: The importance of ice before the days of refrigeration is the focus of a program from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Jan. 31 at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. For details, call (630) 876-5900.

Winter Dog Walk: The sights, sounds and scents of winter will be part of the walk from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. For reservations, call (630) 850-8110.

American Pie: Guests will learn the secrets of an 1890s pie safe and the history of this dessert for breakfast or an afternoon snack at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago.

• An introduction to pie making will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. The fee is $15 per person. For details or reservations, call (630) 876-5900.

Winter Safety: The Winter Layering and Safety class for keeping the whole family safe will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday beginning at the Youth-Group Cabin at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve, Herrick and Butterfield roads, Wheaton. The program is for ages 5 and older. Reservations are requested by calling (630) 933-7248.

Long johns and petticoats: The undergarments of a farm family in the 1890s and their uses will be featured during tours on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. For details, call (630) 876-5900.

Taffy pull: Groups with members ages 7 and older are invited to help make taffy from start to finish and tour the farmhouse by oil-burning lamps beginning at 3:45 p.m. Monday at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. For reservations, call (630) 876-5900.

Lambing: Guests will see the new lambs, some as they're being born, and learn about livestock on the farm from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays until Feb. 18 at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. For details, call (630) 876-5900.

Winter wonders: The DuPage County Forest Preserve will present the Wonders of Winter from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Mayslake Forest Preserve, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. The program is free and includes ice fishing, snowshoeing, geocaching, creating winter treats for the birds, a horse-drawn wagon ride, guided nature walk and winter photo tips. For details, call (630) 933-7200.

Archery: An Introduction to Archery is offered from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 3 beginning at the Youth-Group Cabin at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve, Herrick and Butterfield roads, Wheaton. The program is for ages 5 and older. Reservations are requested by calling (630) 933-7248.

Hayrides: Danada Equestrian Center will offer 30-minute horse-drawn hayrides from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24 at Danada, Danada, 3S501 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton. Ride fees are $5 per adult, $2 per child ages 5 to 12 and free for kids younger than 5. Tickets are sold the day of the event. For details, call (630) 668-6012.

Valentines: Examples of old valentines and their history will be part of the tours on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays, Feb. 7-15, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. For details, call (630) 876-5900.

• A Valentine Night Walk is planned to four bridges over Salt Creek and hot cocoa around a fire from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14 at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road, Oak Brook. For details, call (630) 850-8110.

Blacksmith: The blacksmith will demonstrate repair of equipment and the tools of his trade from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. For details, call (630) 876-5900.

Cross-country skiing: An introduction to cross-country skiing, with a focus on the differences in equipment and styles, will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 10 beginning at the Youth-Group Cabin at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve, Herrick and Butterfield roads, Wheaton. The program is for ages 5 and older. Reservations are requested by calling (630) 933-7248.

Kids' Environment: An Environmental Awareness for Kids, offering time to explore trails and "Leave No Trace," is offered from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 17 beginning at the Youth-Group Cabin at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve, Herrick and Butterfield roads, Wheaton. The program is for ages 5 and older. Reservations are requested by calling (630) 933-7248.

Ice fishing: A clinic for beginners is planned from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 24 at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve Youth-Group Cabin, Herrick and Butterfield roads, Wheaton. Fishing will follow the workshop, weather permitting. Equipment and bait will be provided.. Reservations are required by calling (630) 933-7248.

Winter sports: Winter thrill seekers can get their kicks tubing when there is at least three inches of snow on Mount Hoy in Blackwell Forest Preserve, Butterfield Road west of Winfield Road, Warrenville.

When conditions are favorable, tubing is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends through February. The hill will be open for the school holiday Feb. 18.

Only forest preserve district inner tubes are permitted and may be rented for $4 per tube per day. Tube rental ends at 3:30 p.m. To hear current tubing conditions, call the district's outdoor report at (630) 871-6422.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available when conditions permit at the following forest preserves: Herrick Lake and Danada in Wheaton, Blackwell in Warrenville, Waterfall Glen in Darien, Greene Valley in Naperville, West DuPage Woods in West Chicago, Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook and Springbrook Prairie in Naperville.

All trail users are asked to take care not to damage tracks that have been set. To hear a trail-conditions report, call (630) 871-6422.

Frozen lakes provide opportunities for ice skaters and anglers. At least 4 inches of ice is recommended for any ice activity. Rangers do not monitor ice thickness, and all ice-related activities are done at the user's own risk.

In addition to regular state and district fishing regulations, each individual is permitted to fish from no more than two ice-fishing holes at one time, and holes may be no more than 10 inches in diameter.

Due to water-level issues, ice skating and ice fishing are prohibited at Spring Creek Reservoir Forest Preserve in Bloomingdale.

Visitors are welcome to sled at their own risk at any forest preserve location, unless otherwise posted. Sledding is always prohibited at Mount Hoy at Blackwell, the closed landfill sites at Green Valley and Mallard Lake forest preserves and any slopes at Spring Creek Reservoir Forest Preserve.

A calendar of events is listed on the district's Web site and in the district's quarterly publication, The DuPage Conservationist. Subscriptions are free to DuPage County residents and $5 for others. Call the subscription line at (630) 933-7085 or view the publication online at www.dupageforest.com.

Camping and picnics: Reservations are being accepted for the DuPage County Forest Preserve District's family campground, youth-group camping areas and reservable picnic areas.

The campground will open in May for Friday and Saturday nights. Additional nights of camping will be available for holiday weekends.

There are 25 reservable shelters and picnic areas for family reunions and other gatherings for 25 to 300 people. Some have built -in grills and electricity.

More than 50 semi-private campsites are available at the family campground area north of Silver Lake at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville. Each campsite includes a gravel parking pad, fire ring and picnic table. Campsites are suitable for tents and a limited number of sites are available for trailers and motor homes.

Electrical hookups are available at 19 campsites. There are restrooms with showers, running water and refuse containers. Each site allows a maximum of eight people and two tents. Senior citizens are allowed one free permit per household.

For DuPage County residents, campsite rates are $15 per night for a site without electricity, $20 for a site with electricity. For out-of-county residents, rates are $25 per night for a site without electricity, $30 per night for a site with electricity.

• Youth-group campsites are available at the following preserves: Blackwell in Warrenville, Churchill Woods in Glen Ellyn, Greene Valley in Naperville, Pratt's Wayne Woods in Wayne and Waterfall Glen in Darien. The sites are suitable for activities ranging from jamborees to environmental education activities.

Open year-round, all sites have picnic tables, fire rings, nearby latrines, firewood and water pumps, but no electricity. Sites vary in size for groups of 25 to 100. Fees vary and are based on the site capacity. A cabin at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve in Wheaton is also available to youth groups.

A permit is required for picnicking or camping reservations. Permit applications may be downloaded online at www.dpageforest.com and submitted by mail or fax. Applications also may be completed at the district office at Danada or by calling (6300 933-7248.

Reservations for campsites and picnic areas can be made by phone with Visa or MasterCard or in person at the district's visitor services office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Each permit holder must be at least 21 years old and remain on-site.

Fees are nonrefundable. Holiday weekend reservations should be made several months in advance. For details or reservations, call (630) 933-7248.