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Winter nature activities offered through Naperville's Knoch Knolls Nature Center

Knoch Knolls Nature Center at Naperville Park District is offering several fun, take-home, outdoor and virtual activities during the winter months, including Nature Discovery Kits, Virtual Nature Bingo, Virtual Nature Storytime, Hike with a Naturalist, a Woodcock Walk, and a Scout weather merit badge.

Additionally, residents are encouraged to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 12-15.

Nature Discovery Kits provide nature-themed crafts, activities and materials for families to purchase and use at home.

The kits are available for purchase and may be picked up at Knoch Knolls Nature Center on Saturdays, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13. The February Kit features Valentine crafts.

The March Kit includes crafts and activities to celebrate the first day of spring on Saturday, March 20, and will be available for pickup on Saturdays, March 6, 13, 20 and 27. Visit www.napervilleparks.org/nature for details and to purchase a Nature Discovery Kit.

Families can enjoy time together playing bingo and learning about nature from 6 to 6:45 p.m. on several Thursday evenings this winter.

Led by a naturalist, Virtual Nature Bingo will spotlight different nature themes each evening. "All About Birds" on Feb. 4 will highlight local birds, just in time for the Great Backyard Bird Count, a national initiative that anyone can join Feb. 12-15.

The third Virtual Nature Bingo night for winter is "Baby Animals" on Feb. 11.

Additionally, tune in for three Virtual Nature Storytime programs scheduled from 3:30 to 4 p.m., where a naturalist will read a nature story, show one of the live animals at the Nature Center, and provide a fun activity to do at home. Topics include "Hibernation Station" on Feb. 22, "Fabulous Fish" on March 8, and "Terrific Turtles" on March 15. Learn more and register for the virtual programs at www.napervilleparks.org/nature.

Several free "Hikes with a Naturalist" are planned, giving residents an opportunity to get outdoors in nature and learn about local wildlife.

A family hike takes place Saturday, Feb. 6, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., an adult hike is planned for Saturday, Feb. 20, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and a "Woodcock Walk" for adults is scheduled for Saturday, March 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The "Woodcock Walk" will begin with a brief presentation about this short-legged, plump bird, and then participants will go outside to look and listen for "dancing" male woodcocks. Nature hikes are free, but registration is required at www.napervilleparks.org/nature.

Finally, Scouts are invited to earn the Weather Merit Badge by participating in a program led by a certified merit badge counselor from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 6. Learn more and register at www.napervilleparks.org/nature.

Red-bellied woodpecker perches on top of a bird feeder at Knoch Knolls Nature Center in Naperville. Courtesy of Naperville Park District
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