Kane County Forest Preserve District notes

School Field Trips: The Forest Preserve District of Kane County will begin taking reservations Monday, Aug. 18 for school field trips.

Each year, thousands of Kane County kids visit nearby forest preserves for hands-on environmental education. District naturalists lead field trips at preserves throughout the county.

A popular destination is Tekakwitha Woods Nature Center in St. Charles, which features interactive exhibits and miles of trails in woods and fields.

Programs are available for public, private and home-school groups. Groups may choose from a variety of topics for field trips, including Trees and Their Leaves, Animal Seasonal Adaptations, Animal Tracks and Signs, Maple Sugaring, Spring Wildflowers, The Wonderful World of Insects, The Tallgrass Prairie and River, Streams and Everything in Between.

The Forest Preserve District also offers programs on cultural and natural history that show how The Prairie State's rich natural and cultural history has shaped the past, impacted the present, and is sure to influence our future. Program topics that make up "The Illinois Mosaic: Cultural and Natural History" category includes "Woodland Indians," "Pioneer Life" and "Illinois Agriculture."

If organized groups can't travel to the Nature Center, we'll bring the programs on the road. Call for details on our Traveling Naturalist Programs, featuring "Backyard Wilderness," Nature Detectives," "The Wonderful World of Insects" and "Birds of Prey."

"Our naturalist-guided field trips are fun, interactive, and full of nature's serendipity" said Valerie Blaine, nature programs manager for the district. "Connecting kids to the natural world is what we're all about. There's an entire generation of children whose only experiences with nature are 'virtual' and whose lives are caught up in a web of Wii's and iPods, texting and IM-ing. Our field trips offer the opportunity for children to experience the real thing - nature up close and personal. Kids can then make a personal connection with the natural world - and have a lot of fun in the process.

"All of our programs are based on the motto 'Through education, understanding; through understanding, appreciation; through appreciation, protection,'" Blaine said.

For more information on district nature education or to download a brochure on school or scout program options, visit www.kaneforest.com/naturePrograms.asp.

Sound of Night Music: The hills are alive with the sound of music - insect music, that is. Naturalists Pam Otto of the St. Charles Park District and Valerie Blaine of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County will lead this exploration of nature's noise from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 Campton Hills Park in St. Charles.

After a brief listen-and-learn session to familiarize attendees with the songs of the major players, we'll take a walk and listen as katydids and crickets croon their tunes and meet their mates. Attendees are encouraged to bring a flashlight.

The Sound of (Night) Music is part of the Learn from the Experts series which focus on topics in local ecology. The adults-only programs are co-sponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, the St. Charles, Geneva and Fox Valley Park districts.

Campton Hills Park is at 41W709 Route 64 in St. Charles. Registration for this program is $10. To register call the Forest Preserve District of Kane County at (847) 741-8350. Additional details on other programs in the Learn from the Experts series are available at www.kaneforest.com.

Discover the Prairie: Adults in their 20s and 30s are invited on a hike through the prairie during our "Discover the Prairie" program, part of the Forest Preserve District's 20s & 30s series.

The Illinois prairie is in its prime this time of year. You'll be amazed at the colors, plants and wildlife you'll find. "Discover the Prairie" takes place from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 24.

Join the group to learn about nature, make new friends, and enjoy some time outdoors. Programs in this series are specifically for 20- and 30-somethings in and around Kane County. The monthly gatherings are centered around active recreation in the forest preserves.

The program is free, however, registration is highly encouraged as the district may add or cancel programs depending on interest. To register or for more information on Forest Preserve District programs, call (847) 741-8350 or visit www.kaneforest.com.

Dick Young Forest Preserve is at 39W115 Main St., Batavia.

Have you ever heard a bat talk?: The mammals are indeed chatty creatures but our ears cannot hear them. This summer, take part in "Bat Watch," one of the Forest Preserve District's several family summer programs.

District naturalists will use a special "bat detector" to pick up the bats' clicks used in echolocation. Attendees will locate bats and follow their movements. We'll also play games and learn about bat ecology.

This popular nature program is offered at the following preserves:

• LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles - 7:45 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6.

• Hannaford Woods/Nickels Farm Forest Preserve in Sugar Grove - 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19.

Registration for "Bat Watch" is $5 per person or $20 for a family of four or more. To register, call the Forest Preserve District of Kane County at (847) 741-8350. Additional information about this and other district nature programs also is available at www.kaneforest.com/naturePrograms.asp.

Senior Stroll: Senior citizens are invited for a leisurely walk through Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7.

The monthly "Senior Stroll" is a free program that takes place at alternating forest preserves throughout Kane County. Weather permitting; the program includes a brief, naturalist-guided hike with a focus on varying nature topics.

Meet new people and catch-up with old friends. All area seniors are invited to this fun, informative event. Call the Forest Preserve District of Kane County at (847) 741-8350 for more information or see www.kaneforest.com.

Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve is off Route 25, one mile north of Army Trail Road. The address is 35W076 Villa Maria Road, St. Charles.

August Workdays: Join a Kane County Forest Preserve District volunteer steward at a workday in August and help preserve, protect and restore the natural resources of Kane County.

A list of forest preserves and their workdays for the month follows. No experience is necessary and adults must accompany children. Dress for the weather, wearing work gloves, long pants and closed-toe shoes.

Call District Volunteer Coordinator Julia Bourque at (630) 762-2741 to confirm scheduled dates and times.

• Aurora West Forest Preserve in Aurora: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10.

• Big Rock Forest Preserve in Big Rock: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 2.

• Bliss Woods Forest Preserve in Sugar Grove: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 2.

• Burlington Forest Preserve in Burlington: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 3.

Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16.

• Campton Forest Preserve in St. Charles: Weekends, call for dates and times

• Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve in Elburn: 9:30 to noon Thursday, Aug. 28.

• LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles: 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Aug. 19. Meet at the parking lot near the Great Western Trail head. Rain cancels.

• Les Arends Forest Preserve in Batavia: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 9. Heavy rain cancels.

• Poplar Creek Forest Preserve in Elgin: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays. Call ahead to confirm.