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 the Web site at www.dupageforest.com.

Trout stocking:ŒThe DuPage Forest Preserve has closed three lakes for trout stocking through April 5. The closed lakes are Silver Lake at Blackwell receiving 2,600 fish; Deep Quarry Lake at West Branch in Bartlett with 2,200 fish; Grove Lake at Wood Dale Grove with 350 fish.

Spring cleaning:ŒKline Creek Farm will feature Spring Cleaning house tours on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through April 14 at the farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. The tours are free. For details, call (630) 876-5900.

Concert:Œacapellago will present an a cappella concert, "Escape to Wonderland" from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook.

The concert features fairy tales and fantastic stories. Tickets are $14 for adults, $11 for students or seniors. For details or reservations, call (708) 484-3797, ext. 2.

Nature workdays: In an effort to bring back once-abundant native grasses and forbs to DuPage County and restore the natural areas of several preserves to near pre-settlement conditions, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County invites volunteers to participate in upcoming weekend Nature Workdays.

Settlers to DuPage County began to change the face of the land at the beginning of the 20th century. As the county became more populated during the last 160 years, many non-native plants were introduced and flourished.

Volunteers help restore these vital lands by cutting away unwanted brush and small trees and raking in native seeds. The undergrowth is eventually cleared away, and the land begins the transformation to a more open, natural condition, ready for native plants to thrive.

An adult must accompany children under age 14. Groups of five or more must make reservations two weeks prior to the event. For details, call (630) 933-7681.

• 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve in West Chicago

• 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in Naperville

Summer programs:ŒThe DuPage County Forest Preserve offers summer programs for kids at the following locations. Program fees vary. Registration forms are available online. For details, visit the Web site at www.dupageforest.com.

• Danada Equestrian Center in Wheaton offers Horse Sense Camp for ages 10-14 to have hands-on experiences with horses and learn day-to-day stable activities. The camp includes crafts, games and supervised lead-line horseback rides.

Four five-day sessions are offered from June through August. Fees are $203 for DuPage County residents, $232 for nonresidents. For details, call (630) 668-6012.

• Children ages 9-12 can join the Roger Raccoon Club at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn. Participants will explore DuPage County's natural history during two four-day sessions in June and July.

Each session includes an overnight campout at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien. Fees are $75; members of Willowbrook Wildlife Foundation receive a $10 discount. For details, call (630) 942-6200.

• Children ages 6-8 can enroll in Hodge Podge Lodge and learn about insects, reptiles birds and mammals via games, activities and stories at Willowbrook Wildlife Center.

Three four-day sessions are offered in June, July and August and each session ends with a cookout at Herrick Lake Forest Preserve in Wheaton. The fee is $75 per session; members of Willowbrook Wildlife Foundation receive a $10 discount. For details, call (630) 942-6200.

• Kline Creek Farm in Winfield offers Kline Creek Farmhands for ages 7-12 to experience life on a historic working farm including chores and games of the 1890s.

Seven three-day sessions are offered from June through August. The fee is $75 per session. For details, visit the Web site at www.dupageforest.com or call (630) 876-5900.

Speaker's bureau:ŒInvite one of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's Nature's Ambassadors to speak at your next meeting for 30 minutes, and learn about the benefits of forest preserves and the ample opportunities in conservation, education and recreation.

From November to mid-April of every year, the district provides this public service for citizens of DuPage County. Half-hour presentations are free and include a question-and-answer session.

Program topics include Open Spaces, Restoring Nature's Treasures, Wildlife Neighbors, Pathways to Education, Volunteers Make a Difference and Hunters of the Sky as well as those of special interest.

Reservations for programs must be made at least 10 business days prior to the speaking engagement. A speaker will meet with groups of 15 or more.

The fee is $75 for Hunters of the Sky, which is available only during daytime hours and features raptors of DuPage County. For details, call (630) 933-7246.

Injured baby wild animals:ŒAs homeowners and preserve visitors encounter baby wild animals that seem to be without parents, the Forest Preserve reminds visitors that "If you care, leave them there."

The majority of baby and juvenile wildlife are left alone for periods of time from a few hours to the entire day. Often well-meaning people bring these young animals to Willowbrook Wildlife Center in fear their parents abandoned them. However, these young animals' parents will most likely return after foraging for food.

At Willowbrook, the most frequent cases of wildlife kidnapping by humans occur with eastern cottontail rabbits. After giving birth, the cottontail rabbit mother covers her young with grass and hair and usually returns only once a day to nurse the young. Other young left alone include baby songbirds and baby squirrels.

The staff and volunteers at Willowbrook Wildlife Center are available to answer questions about wild animal concerns. Call the center at (630) 942-6200 before handling or approaching a wild animal that may be injured or abandoned.

The center's staff will advise the caller on what actions, if any, to take in order to assist the wild animal. Phone calls are answered from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and an automated phone system gives general information after-hours. The Web site is www.dupageforest.com.

It is illegal to keep wild animals without a permit, even for a short period of time. Willowbrook only accepts wildlife native to Illinois in DuPage County; however, the center can refer non-DuPage County residents to agencies in the caller's county of residence.