Sweet! It's maple-sugaring time

Celebrate a sure sign of spring - Maple Sugaring Festival in the Kane County forest preserves.

Join them for maple tapping from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 14 at Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve, 41W600 Hughes in Elburn. Bring the family to this fun-filled event.

Naturalists will show how to tap a maple tree, and you'll have the opportunity to try your hand at drilling and setting a tap. They will simmer sap over an open fire and watch as it thickens to syrup. Plus, come along on the "Sugarin' Time" hikes to learn to distinguish maples from other species of hardwood trees.

"Everyone will get a chance to watch a maple tree being tapped and to see the first drops of maple sap dripping into a bucket," said naturalist Valerie Blaine. "We'll have hands-on activities and demonstrations, from practice drilling to spile-making and sap simmering," Blaine is nature programs manager for the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.

For information the Maple Sugaring Festivals, call (847) 741-8350 or visit www.kaneforest.com.

Program for home-schoolers: The March 16 session of "Nature Explorations for Homeschool Families" will be all about maple sugaring.

Participants will learn all about this treasured tradition from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Brewster Creek Forest Preserve, 6N921 Route 25, St. Charles.

"This is a wonderful field trip for home-school groups," said naturalist Jaclyn Olson. "After the long winter, everyone loves to see the first sign of spring as the maple sap begins to rise. The program also makes cultural connections with ecology."

"Nature Explorations" focuses on a different topic each month at a different forest preserve. Activities are designed for kids ages 5-10, but all ages are welcome to attend.

Registration for each Nature Explorations for Homeschool Families session is $2 per person or $8 for a family of four or more. Advance registration is required. Fee assistance is available upon request. To register, or for more information, call (847) 741-8350 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com.

To see a full list of Forest Preserve District programs, visit kaneforest.com.

Little Acorns: The next session of "Little Acorns" is pretty sweet. "Sap's Rising" is the theme for the March 18 sessions of Little Acorns, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County's popular nature program for preschoolers.

"The first drops of sap coming out of the tree bring surprise and delight to the kids," says Valerie Blaine, nature programs manager for the forest preserve district. "They learn that food really does come from plants - even trees!"

Each month, children ages 4-5 explore the natural world through a variety of activities. Morning and afternoon sessions are offered and include a combination of stories, nature hikes, songs, games or crafts. The morning session runs 10 to 11 a.m.; the afternoon session runs 1 to 2 p.m. Advance registration is required. A $5 registration fee may be paid in advance or at the door.

All sessions are held at the lodge at Brewster Creek Forest Preserve, 6N921 Route 25, St. Charles.

The Little Acorns program regularly fills up, so register early. Call (847) 741-8350 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com to register. A full list of programs is also at kaneforest.com.