Volo Bog State Natural Area notes
For information and to make reservations, call (815) 344-1294 or Ameritech Relay for the hearing impaired (800) 526-0844, or e-mail dnr.volobog@illinois.gov. All programs are free. The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Of Bogs & Books: Of Bogs & Books is a book discussion group that meets on the second Saturday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Volo Bog State Natural Area's Visitor Center Library. Adults gather over morning coffee and snacks to review environmental, outdoor and natural history literature. Reservations are requested.
• Saturday: "Last Child in the Woods -- Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder" by Richard Louv was first discussed in 2005. The group will revisit the book in order to invite a broader audience. The discussion will continue into the afternoon with guest speakers and a forum to include public officials, educators, parents, grandparents and others.
• March 8: "Evening Thoughts: Reflecting on Earth as a Sacred Community" by Thomas Berry.
• April 12: Two books by Douglas Wood: "Things Trees Know" and "Breathe the Wind, Drink the Rain."
• May 10: "This Tender Place: the Story of a Wetland Year" by Laurie Lawler in honor of "American Wetlands Month"
Bird Walks: Bird walks will begin at 8 a.m. Sunday and Feb. 16; March 2, 8 and 29; April 12 and 26; and May 11 and 17. During winter, birds are easy to see and the number of species is not overwhelming, giving beginners time to develop identification and spotting skills. Novice and experienced birders alike enjoy the rare northern visitors such as northern shrike and long-eared owls that often frequent the winter bog landscape. Dress for the weather; bring binoculars and field guides or use those provided. Walks are led by members of McHenry County Audubon. Length and time varies with weather and luck in birding. For ages 7 to adult. Make reservations.
Astronomy nights: Astronomy nights, hosted by the Lake County Astronomical Society take place at 8:30 p.m. the third Friday of the month at Volo Bog State Natural Area. The next night will be Feb. 15.
A business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. followed by an indoor presentation at 8:30 p.m. and viewing if skies are clear at about 9:30 p.m.
The public is welcome. Memberships are available. For club information, visit the Web site www.lcas-astronomy.org/.
Photography Club: The ShutterBugs meet from 7 to 9 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month, including Feb. 20. Meetings include how-to workshops, guest speakers and member competitions. Nonmembers are invited to attend but membership is required to compete. No reservations required. For ages 14 to adult.
Scatology Hike: Ages 7 to adult are welcome to join Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki on this gross and interesting hike to study animal droppings from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Make reservations.
Bog Saunters: Bog Saunters with Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. March 1, April 6 and May 3. Explore a variety of natural themes in Volo Bog. Part bog tour, part ecology lesson, Bog Saunters are for adults who wish to delve just a little deeper into Volo Bog, phenology and general ecology. No reservations required. Dress for the weather.
Coffee and discussion: Adults will gather at Volo Bog State Natural Area to share morning coffee and snacks over a discussion of nature, science and environmental readings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 8, April 12 and May 10.
Bluebird Workshop: Bluebirds have made a remarkable comeback, thanks mostly to the efforts of people. Led by Walt Sivertsen, head bluebird coordinator for Lake County, this workshop from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. March 8 will discuss the history of the bluebirds' plight and the efforts to help it recover. Participants will learn how to build a box, monitor it for data collection and species selection and for pure enjoyment. A free box goes to first 25 registrants (one per family). Ages 10 through adult are welcome. Reservations are requested.
Volunteers Honored: On Dec. 13, 31 individuals were honored for their volunteer services at Volo Bog State Natural Area and Moraine Hills State Park/McHenry Dam in 2007. Along with 56 other volunteers, they contributed 4,445 hours to these Illinois Department of Natural Resources sites.
Special recognition was given to Bob Vetter of Grayslake as Volunteer of the Year for both sites. Bob's tireless devotion (over 550 hours between the two sites) spanned multiple duties and talents. He was presented with a Volunteer-of-the-Year plaque by Site Superintendent Greg Kelly and Site Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki. He also received a Certificate of Appreciation and a Centurian Award plaque, which is presented to all volunteers contributing over 100 hours for a given year.
The following individuals also received certificates of appreciation from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for contributing 50 to 99 hours each to Volo Bog or Moraine Hills/McHenry Dam in 2007: Nancy Doughty of Barrington; Randy Schietzelt of Crystal Lake; Mark Ginger of Des Plaines; Chris Brenner and Jay Pursell of Grayslake; Bernadette Haase and Clarence Haase of Fox Lake; Nancy Jansen , Joel Orlinsky and Jan Wemple of Ingleside; Meg Macdonald of Lake Bluff; Gail Goeke of McHenry; Jerry Donahue of Mundelein; Kathy Kozacky of Roselle; Jane Richards of Wauconda; and Pamela Duncan of Woodstock.
In addition to certificates, the following also received Centurian Award Plaques for contributing over 100 hours each in 2007: Billie Kocal of Antioch; Nancy Schietzelt of Crystal Lake; Carl Krautwurst, Carol Shaffer and Bob Vetter of Grayslake; Bill Ewert and Sandra Wells; John Holmes and Merry Miller of Lake Villa; Nancy Bodinet of Lake Zurich; Myrna Nelson and Neil Whitman of McHenry; Richard Wend of Spring Grove; and Yvette Liautaud and Chuck Ward of Streamwood.
Fifty-six additional volunteers contribute less than 50 hours each, but together provided a combined 1,153 hours to the two sites.
Scholarships available: The Friends of Volo Bog are offering an Entering College Scholarship and a Continuing College Scholarship for $1,000 each to outstanding students interested in pursuing an environmental career. The Friends of Volo Bog is a not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the preservation of the area's natural heritage, maintenance of site facilities and advancement of educational programming at Volo Bog State Natural Area.
To be eligible for the Entering College Scholarship, the applicant must reside in Lake, McHenry, Kane, Cook, DuPage, Kendall, or Will county, attend a high school in one of these counties, have a minimum "B" average for the first three years, and plan to attend an accredited college or university. The applicant should be planning to enter a career directly related to preserving the environment.
To be eligible for the Continuing College Scholarship the applicant must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university pursing a degree directly related to preserving the environment, have a permanent residence in Lake, McHenry, Kane, Cook, DuPage, Kendall, or Will County, have graduated from a high school from one of these counties with a minimum "B" average, and currently hold a minimum "B" average in their college studies.
Applications are due by the fourth Friday in February. Application packets are available at Volo Bog State Natural Area or online at www.friendsofvolobog.org/.
For information, call (815) 344-1294.
Guided tours: Guided tours of Volo Bog are offered at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Volo Bog is Illinois' only remaining open-water quaking bog. In winter, signs of deer, rabbit and raccoons abound; mink, coyote and owls leave signs for the more careful observers. The bare winter shrubs and trees enhance visibility and add texture against the white snow. When the snow is not too deep, the carnivorous pitcher plants are easily seen under the bare branches of the tamarack trees.
Public tours are open to individuals, families and small groups without reservations. Groups of 10 or more are asked to call (815) 344-1294 for special arrangements. Tours run about one hour.