Kane County Forest Preserve District notes
Story Time at Tekakwitha: The Tekakwitha Woods Nature Center will be filled with stories on upcoming Fridays, when staff from the St. Charles Public Library bring books, finger plays, songs and more for babies and preschoolers.
Story Time at Tekakwitha Woods is scheduled from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Friday, April 18 and May 9 and 16.
Children, infants to age 5, and their caregivers are invited. After the program, participants are welcome to enjoy the interactive exhibits or go on a hike through the preserve. The program is free, but call (847) 741-8350, ext. 10 to register.
Tekakwitha Woods is at 35W076 Villa Maria Road, off Route 25, one mile north of Army Trail Road in St. Charles. For details, visit www.kaneforest.com.
Open house: Learn how you can become a volunteer with the Kane County Forest Preserve District during an April 16 open house.
Interested volunteers are invited to district headquarters in the Kane County Government Center from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 16. The headquarters are in Building G, the yellow house.
Attendees will learn about the forest preserve district and find out about various volunteer opportunities. There is an immediate need for volunteers at the Fabyan Windmill in Geneva and also weekend hosts at the Tekakwitha Woods Nature Center in St. Charles.
Anyone interested in volunteering for these or other positions are welcome. For those who apply for a volunteer position during the open house, a volunteer orientation is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. April 23 at Building G.
The orientation is designed to help new volunteers become acclimated to the district, the mission, the volunteer program, and learn the specifics of volunteer duties. Though the orientation is designed as training for new volunteers, those interested in signing up to volunteer also are welcome.
"Volunteering for a healthier habitat and preserving area history is a great way to give back to your community and get some exercise in a beautiful setting," said Julia Bourque, volunteer coordinator.
Be inspired by nature and volunteer for your local preserves, today. For details, call (630) 762-2741 or e-mail BourqueJulia@kaneforest. com.
Little Acorns: Preschoolers will discover signs of the new season during the April 17 "Little Acorns" program from the Kane County Forest Preserve District.
"Little Acorns" is a monthly nature program series for 4- and 5-year-olds. April's session will herald spring's arrival and include a combination of stories, hikes, songs, games, or crafts.
Sessions are at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Registration is $5 per child. Register early, as Little Acorns programs typically sell out.
The program is for registered children only. During the session, parents and siblings may wait in the McGuire House, enjoy the interactive exhibits in the Nature Center, or enjoy a hike on their own. Call (847) 741-8350, ext. 10 to register or for details.
Tekakwitha Woods is at 35W076 Villa Maria Road, off Route 25, one mile north of Army Trail Road in St. Charles. For information on Tekakwitha Woods, the Nature Center, or other forest preserve district programs, visit www.kaneforest.com.
Rare plant monitors: There are two more training sessions scheduled for volunteers interested in becoming rare-plant monitors. All workshops are from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are scheduled for April 17 at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Joliet; and April 27 at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. Each workshop will cover the same agenda, so volunteers only need to sign up for one. Plant monitors will receive an introduction to the "Plants of Concern" program, learn monitoring skills and receive training with GPS units. To learn more about the "Plants of Concern" program, visit www.plantsofconcern.org.
Call Marian Hofherr at (847) 835-6873 or e-mail at mhofherr@chicagobotanic. org to register for any of the workshops.
Only having to visit the sites three to four times a season, volunteering as a preserve monitor is an easy way to help the Forest Preserve District of Kane County maintain and preserve the quality of its natural areas. For details on volunteer opportunities with the district, contact Julia Bourque at (630) 762-2741 or BourqueJulia@kaneforest.com.
Weekend volunteers needed: The Kane County Forest Preserve District is looking for volunteers to host the Tekakwitha Woods Nature Center in St. Charles on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Nature Center -- filled with a 3-D exhibit of the Fox River, wildlife exhibits and nature-related activities for children -- is tucked away between the trees of Tekakwitha Woods, near the Fox River.
The weekend host would be responsible for opening and closing the Nature Center and greeting visitors during operational hours: noon to 4 p.m. during the months of April to November and 1 to 4 p.m. during the months of December to March.
Serving as a Nature Center host is a peaceful, yet exciting experience, says Julia Bourque, volunteer coordinator for the Forest Preserve District.
To learn more on how to become a weekend Nature Center Host, contact Julia Bourque, volunteer coordinator, at (630) 762-2741 or BourqueJulia@kaneforest. com.
Tekakwitha Woods is at 35W076 Villa Maria Road, off Route 25, one mile north of Army Trail Road in St. Charles. For information on Tekakwitha Woods, the Nature Center or Forest Preserve District programs, visit www.kaneforest.com.