Kane County Forest Preserve District
Buffalo Park closed June 9: Buffalo Park Forest Preserve in Algonquin will be closed on Monday, June 9, for repaving of the entrances and main parking lot. The village of Algonquin recently installed a new waste treatment plant near the preserve. The contractor in charge of the new plant, IHC, received permission from the Forest Preserve District to access their project through Buffalo Park, during construction. IHC agreed to repave the entrance and parking area following completion of their work. Buffalo Park Forest Preserve is expected to reopen on June 10. If you have any questions, call the Forest Preserve District at (630) 232-5980.
Offer your input on Bowes Creek plan: The Kane County Forest Preserve District will hold a public informational meeting on June 16 between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the district headquarters, Building G, Kane County Government Center, 719 Batavia Ave., Geneva. The purpose of this meeting is to present the proposed master plan for the Bowes Creek Forest Preserve in Plato Township.
Public input is requested. Oral and written comments and questions will be accepted by district personnel.
This meeting will be accessible to individuals in compliance with Executive Order #5 (1979) and pertinent state and federal laws upon notification of anticipated attendance. Handicapped persons planning to attend bid opening and needing special accommodations should contact either by telephone or by letter Robert J. Quinlan, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Kane County Forest Preserve, 719 Batavia Ave., Geneva IL 60134 or at (630) 208-2006, before June 16. This project is being financed, in part, with funds from the Department of Natural Resources Open Space Lands Acquisition & Development grant program. For directions on the meeting location, call the forest preserve district office at (630) 232-5980.
Solstice sunset: Join forest district naturalists for an early-evening walk on June 21 through Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia. Watch the sun set over the marsh and learn about solstices, equinoxes and the reasons for seasons. Participants will also be on the lookout for native wildlife. Come make the most of every last minute of 2008's longest day. This free family program is from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Call (847) 741-8350 to RSVP or for more information.
Reptile Rendezvous: If you are fascinated with scaly inhabitants of the field or forest, the upcoming Forest Preserve District nature program is for you. Join in the for "Reptile Rendezvous" from 10 to 11 a.m. June 22 at the Hampshire Forest Preserve. District naturalists will lead a hike in search of legless creatures slithering about. Background information will also be provided on the diversity of reptiles in Illinois and the importance of habitat for native snakes.
"Reptile Rendezvous" is a free nature program, but be sure to register in advance. The district may add or cancel programs depending on advance attendance estimates, so let them know if you plan to attend. Call (847) 741-8350 to RSVP.
Hampshire Forest Preserve is at 44W780 Allen Road, Hampshire. For more information about "Reptile Rendezvous" or other District nature programs, visit www.kaneforest.com.
Buy luminaria to support Relay for Life: For many people who attend the Relay For Life of Kane County, one of the most moving parts of the event is the Ceremony of Hope. The ceremony, held during the American Cancer Society Relay event, offers an opportunity to celebrate those suffering from cancer and to remember those lost to the disease through the purchase of luminaria.
Luminaria are paper bags that are filled with sand and contain glass holders with a candle. Each bag bears the name of an individual who has battled cancer. They are also a way for those unable to attend Relay to pay tribute to someone affected by the disease. The luminaria will be lit during the Relay For Life on June 27, at Philip B. Elfstrom Stadium in the Kane County Events Center.
Luminaria may be purchased with a $10 donation to the American Cancer Society. Advance purchases may be made at the American Cancer Society office, 143 First. St., Batavia, or online at www.relayforlifekane.com. Luminaria are also available for purchase at the event, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Luminaria Sales Tent.
The Ceremony of Hope is held at sunset, while everyone gathers in the stands and a special tribute speech is given. Inspirational songs are sung and the candles are lit to create a soft glow that will last throughout the night and into morning. After the ceremony, the luminaria will line the track and light the path of the walkers throughout the night.
"People need to actually come to Relay to witness what a powerful sight the hundreds of luminaria create," said Bridget Link, chair of the Luminaria committee. "Once the sun sets and the luminaria are lit - it is truly an amazing and deeply breathtaking sight."
Link says there is a lot of symbolism represented throughout Relay. For example, cancer never sleeps - one of the reasons that Relay For Life is hosted through the night and into the morning. Luminaria also remind us that behind cancer statistics exist real people, with real names, and each with their own personal cancer story.
"Each name and each light inspires and gives hope to continue to strive for a cancer-free future. People touched by cancer typically experience high points and low points. The darkness of night can symbolize the sadness and loneliness one might feel in the tough times of dealing with cancer as a patient, friend, family member or caregiver" she said.
"Many people say, as I do, that the beautiful sight of the luminaria in the night invigorate and inspire us to pledge to fight harder and to continue to do our part to eradicate cancer in our world. Luminaria give us energy. That energy invigorates us and gives us hope," Link said.
Last year, 1,600 luminaria were sold. This year's goal is to surpass that number and to increase the bags lining the walking track. The more Luminaria sold, the greater the impact they will have to inspire hope in each of the Relay participants, as well as those enduring cancer and the many survivors.
The public is invited to attend any or all of Relay For Life of Kane County, participate in the survivor activities, watch the opening ceremony, purchase Luminaria, or stay as long as they would like. Those who have never attended Relay are especially encouraged. "I can't imagine anyone coming and not being emotionally touched in some way," said Link. "The hundreds of luminaria are truly impossible to fully describe. It is an amazing and unforgettable sight. The emotions are indescribable," she said.
Relay For Life of Kane County is an overnight event designed to bring together the community in the fight against cancer. The opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m., and the Relay officially starts when local cancer survivors unite to walk or ride during the first lap of the event. After the first lap, they are joined by caregivers - family, friends and those who have helped during their battles with cancer. Throughout the night, members of teams walk the track at Elfstrom Stadium.
The fundraising goal of this year's Relay For Life of Kane County is $350,000. With less than a month to go, there are 628 registered participants, 74 teams, and over $131,000 raised.
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County has been a longtime sponsor of the event. 2008 marks the 12th year the district has donated use of Elfstrom Stadium. Additionally, district staff volunteer on the steering committee and during the event. For information about the Relay For Life of Kane County, call the American Cancer Society at (630) 879-9009, ext. 3, or visit www.relayforlifekane.com.
Volunteer restoration workdays for June: Join a Kane County Forest Preserve District volunteer steward at a workday this June and help preserve, protect and restore the natural resources of Kane County.
The 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.
Bliss Woods Forest Preserve in Sugar Grove: Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Burlington Forest Preserve in Burlington: Thursday, June 19 from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday, June 26, from 6-8 p.m.
Burnidge Forest Preserve in Elgin: Saturday, June 21, from 1-3 p.m.
Campton Forest Preserve in St. Charles: Weekends, call for dates and times.
Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve in Elburn: Thursdays at 1 p.m. Meet at the parking lot at the top of the mound. Rain cancels.
LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles: Tuesday, June 17, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Meet at the parking lot near the Great Western Trail head. Rain cancels.
Les Arends Forest Preserve in Batavia: Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at the shelter.
Poplar Creek Forest Preserve in Elgin: Fridays at 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please call ahead.
Raceway Woods Forest Preserve in Dundee: Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Camps for kids: Make sure your kids get the most of Kane County Forest Preserve District nature camps.
During "Week in the Woods," kids explore the outdoors with the naturalist staff. Through guided hikes, nature games and activities, kids will discover native plants and animals in their habitats and learn the importance of these living things in the web of life.
The "Week in the Woods" schedule is:
Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve in St. Charles: June 9-13 for first- and second-graders; June 16-20 for third- to fifth-graders.
Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls in Gilberts: July 7-11 for first- and second-graders; and July 14-18 for third- to fifth-graders.
Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve in Elburn: July 21-25 for first- and second-graders; and July 28-Aug. 1 - Grades 3-5
All "Week in the Woods" sessions are from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration is $50 per child. Advance registration is required. Call (847) 741-8350, Ext. 10, to register.
For those interested in an after-dinner option, consider the new "Twilight Camp."
Designed for third- to fifth-graders, kids will discover wildlife and learn about native animals that are out and about at dusk. Camp activities will include naturalist-guided hikes through the woods and prairie, games, stories and a campfire on the last night of camp.
"Twilight Camp" is from 7-9 p.m. June 23 to June 26 at Tekakwitha Woods in St. Charles. Registration is $40 per child; advance registration is required. Call (847) 741-8350 to register.
Help plant trees: In response to the Emerald Ash borer clearing project in April, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County will be replacing felled ash trees at Campton Forest Preserve with bur oak trees.
The tree planting will be from 10 a.m. to noon on June 10 at Campton Forest Preserve in St. Charles, and the District is asking for volunteers to help out.
Because the trees are larger than saplings, the District will need many extra helping hands to put them in the ground. There are 50 oak trees to be planted, and they're about 5-feet tall.
"In the past 100 years, many tree species have fallen on hard times due to insect and disease," said Drew Ullberg, director of natural resources for the Forest Preserve District. "First the chestnut blight eliminated the mighty American Chestnut from our woods. Then, elms were devastated by Dutch-Elm disease, a fungus spread from tree to tree by beetles.
Lately it's been the Emerald Ash Borer slowly marching across our region and leaving millions of dead ash trees in its wake."
"But through it all, our native oaks have stood firm. To replace some of the ash lost to the Emerald Ash Borer at Campton, we'll plant young bur oaks that will hopefully grow to be stately trees with broad green canopies."
If you're interested in volunteering or you'd like more information on the tree planting event, please call Volunteer Coordinator Julia Bourque at (630) 762-2741 or e-mail BourqueJulia@kaneforest.com.