Sign up for McHenry County Conservation District 'Weekend of Restoration' event

Join McHenry County Conservation District for a "Weekend of Restoration: The Seasonal Rebirth of Nature" from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5, at Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Route 31 and Harts Road, Ringwood. This award-winning program is a mini-vacation that makes a difference.

"I am on the alert for the first signs of spring, to hear the chance note of some arriving bird, or the striped squirrel's chirp, for his stores must be now nearly exhausted, or see the woodchuck venture out of his winter quarters." So Henry Thoreau wrote about spring at Walden Pond.

The familiar miracle of spring as it manifests itself in the plants, animals and physical world will be the theme for the weekend. Look under the ground, in the trees, under logs, in the ponds and streams to find signs of the reawakening of nature. On Saturday, participants will plant native oak trees and hazel shrubs as part of the restoration efforts at the new Alden Gap site. For those who would like to participate in the campfire Saturday evening, camping at Glacial Park is free with this event only.

Group size limited to 30.

Registration deadline is Friday, April 26. Register online at MCCDistrict.org, use Code 6026. The event is open to ages 16 and older. Cost is $20; or $15 for age 60 and older and students, age 16 and older. Cost is $10 for Conservation District volunteers. Register with a friend get $5 off second registration. The fee includes meals.

For additional information, contact Tom Simpson at (815) 678-4532, ext. 8218 or tsimpson@mccdistrict.org.

Witness the activities and results of prior Weekends of Restoration at www.facebook.com/MCCDWEOR/.