Getting involved with nature

Not all birds head south for the winter.

Learn about "Winter Birds," and which ones may be showing up at your feeders this month, in a free program from the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.

How can you tell a goldfinch from a house finch? Why doesn't a red-bellied woodpecker have a red belly? Get answers to these and other bird questions.

From the warmth of the nature center, participants will observe birds at the outdoor feeder stations. Weather permitting, they will also walk through the woods to catch the avian action. Bring binoculars if you have them; there is a limited number for loan.

"Winter Birds" will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve in St. Charles. The program is free, but call (847) 741-8350, ext. 10 to register. The district may add or cancel programs depending on attendance estimates, so let them know if you plan to join us. All ages are welcome.

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.

Volunteers needed: Start the New Year off with a "green" frame of mind.

This month, join a Kane County Forest Preserve District volunteer steward at a workday and help preserve, protect and restore the natural resources of Kane County.

No experience is necessary. Adults must accompany children. Dress for the weather and bring work gloves.

Below is a list of forest preserves and their workdays for this month. Call Julia Bourque, district volunteer coordinator, at (630) 762-2741 to confirm scheduled dates and times.

• Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin: 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 19.

• Campton Forest Preserve in St. Charles: Weekends.

• Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia: Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Meet at the parking lot off Nelson Lake Road by the silos. Rain or snow cancels.

• Fabyan Forest Preserve, Geneva: Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Below-freezing temperatures cancel. Call (630) 879-2552 for day-of cancellation questions.

• Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve, Elburn: Thursdays at 1 p.m. Meet at the parking lot near the entrance. Rain or snow cancels.

• LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles: Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Meet at the parking lot near the Great Western Trail head. Rain or snow cancels and temperatures must be above freezing.

• Les Arends Forest Preserve in Batavia: Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at the shelter. Heavy rain or snow cancels.

For details on volunteer opportunities, visit the forest preserve district Web site at www.kaneforest.com or call (630) 762-2741.

Learn how to ID a tree: Can you tell a white oak from a bur oak after the leaves have fallen? Identifying trees in winter is not as daunting as it may seem.

Register for the Jan. 19 class, "Dendrology, or What's That Tree?"

The program is part of the Learn from the Experts series of ecology classes for adults, co-sponsored by the Kane County Forest Preserve District, St. Charles Park District and Geneva Park District.

During the two-hour program, you will learn the basics of tree identification (without leaves) and gain experience using a botanical key.

Valerie Blaine, nature programs manager with the forest preserve district, will share tips to help demystify winter tree ID and emphasize observation of bark, branches, form, habit, habitat, twigs, leaf scars and buds.

The session begins indoors with a presentation in the Nature Center. Handouts and reference material will be provided. During the second hour, the class will head outside to practice tree identification skills.

Registration for "Dendrology, or What's that Tree?" is $5 per person. 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 information on Tekakwitha Woods, the Nature Center, or other forest preserve district programs, visit www.kaneforest.com.