Explore the beauty of nature in winter at Spring Valley

Schaumburg Park District's Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, will host two family programs featuring the beauty of the winter landscape.

Deer Watch will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m., Jan. 4. The program introduces participants to the fascinating world of white-tail deer. Participants will learn how to identify tracks and other signs of deer and go on a short walk to find them at dusk. A naturalist will share interesting facts about these beautiful creatures after the walk in the Nature Center. Pre-registration is required by Jan. 3. The fee is $6 for residents or $9 for non-residents.

Dive into the language of animal tracks during the free program, Who Goes There?, from noon to 4 p.m., Jan. 13 at Spring Valley's Merkle Cabin. Participants will learn to identify tracks of local animals through games, stamps, rubbing plates and books. New animal track experts will be able to decode animal tracks around Spring Valley and Schaumburg. Cocoa will be available for participants. Pre-registration is not required.

Parking is available at Spring Valley Nature Center. Merkle Cabin is a five-minute walk from the Nature Center parking lot.

For more information, call (847) 985-2100 or visit www.parkfun.com.