Discover signs of spring at nature series

You're sure to find an area of interest during programs in the "Learn from the Expert" this month, including woodcock watching, astronomy and landscaping with native plants.

The Learn from the Expert series of adult ecology programs is co-sponsored by the Kane County Forest Preserve District and the St. Charles, Geneva and Fox Valley park districts. Programs are $10 per person. Scheduled for March are:

Woodcock Watch: A sure sign of spring is the sound of woodcocks at dusk. Come hear for yourself during an outdoor class from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at Campton Forest Preserve in St. Charles. Instructor Jack Pomatto will present an introduction to woodcock behavior, ecology and adaptations. As the sky darkens, they will head down the trail to find "front row seats" for the amazing air show to come. Male woodcocks will signal audibly as they begin their aerial courtship displays. Campton Forest Preserve is at 4N379 Town Hall Road, St. Charles.

Intro to Astronomy: Jim Griffin and Jack Kramer of the Kane County Astronomical Association will present an introduction to astronomy from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20, at Tekakwitha Woods Nature Center in St. Charles. The presentation will cover planets, stars, comets, galaxies, and other unearthly phenomena. Participants will learn how a star is born, discover cool constellations, and be amazed by the enormity of galactic events. Following the indoor portion of the program, they will head outside to look through telescopes at the night sky. Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve is at 35W076 Villa Marie Road, off Route 25 in St. Charles.

Native Plant Landscaping: Would you like to spend less time this year mowing, watering, and weeding your lawn? Using native plants conserves water, saves time and money, and creates habitat for birds, insects, and other wildlife. Jim Kleinwachter of the Conservation Foundation will give a presentation on native plant landscaping from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at Pottawatomie Community Center in St. Charles. He will discuss the benefits of landscaping with native plants and outline easy steps you can follow to start turning your yard into a beautiful native garden. Pottawatomie Community Center is at 8 North Ave., St. Charles.

To register for any of the Learn from the Expert programs, call (847) 741-8350 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com. A full nature program schedule is also available at www.kaneforest.com.