Kane County to hold plug planting event
In an effort to restore the banks of Ferson Creek, the Kane County Forest Preserve District and Kane County's Department of Environmental Management will hold a plug planting event at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 8 at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles.
The actual planting will take place adjacent to LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, so volunteers will need to bypass the main entrance to LeRoy Oakes and enter the drive just west of there. The fire marker address for the driveway entrance volunteers should use is 37W584 Dean St.
There will be portions of the planting area where volunteers may have to cross Ferson Creek, so wearing boots is encouraged. Also, volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves and/or hand shovels if they have them.
To sign up for the plug planting event, call volunteer coordinator Julia Bourque at (630) 762-2741. Water and snacks will be provided.
Restoration workdays: In addition to the plug planting event, volunteers are invited to join a steward during a forest preserve district restoration workday this July to help preserve, protect and restore the natural resources of Kane County.
Call volunteer coordinator Julia Bourque at (630) 762-2741 to confirm scheduled dates and times. No experience is necessary; adults must accompany children. Volunteers are asked to wear long pants, work gloves and closed-toes shoes. Forest preserves and their workdays for the month include:
• Aurora West Forest Preserve, 40W244 Hankes Road in Aurora: Saturday, July 17 from 9 a.m. to noon
• Big Rock Forest Preserve, 46W524 Jericho Road in Big Rock: Saturday, July 3 from 9 a.m. to noon
• Bliss Woods Forest Preserve, 5S660 Bliss Road in Sugar Grove: Saturday, July 24 from 9 a.m. to noon
• Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve, off Engel Road, north of Plank Road in Burlington: Thursday, July 8 and Thursday, July 22 from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Burnidge Forest Preserve, 38W235 Big Timber Road in Elgin: Saturday, July 17 from 1 to 3 p.m.
• Campton Forest Preserve, 41W709 Route 64 in St. Charles: Weekends, call for dates and times
• Freeman Kame Forest Preserve, off Freeman Road in Rutland Township: Weekends, call for dates and times
• Glenwood Park Forest Preserve, 1644 S. River St. in Batavia: Saturday, July 10 from 9 a.m. to noon
• Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve, 41W600 Hughes Road in Elburn: Thursday, July 15 from 9 to 11 a.m.
• LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St. in St. Charles: Tuesday, July 20 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Meet at the parking lot near the Great Western Trail head.
"Firefly Fireworks": Experience nighttime magic on the prairie, when thousands of fireflies put on a show during the Kane County Forest Preserve District's popular "Firefly Fireworks" nature program.
Registration is still available for the program at Pingree Grove Forest Preserve, 14N187 Route 20, Pingree Grove. The free program runs from 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 10. All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Before nightfall, forest preserve naturalists will teach you how a glow worm glows, why a lightning bug lights and whether a firefly is really hot.
To reserve your spot in this family-friendly program, call (847) 741-8350 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com. Note: registration is required and organized groups must schedule a separate tour.
For information or to see a full roster of the nature programs, visit kaneforest.com.