Valerie Blaine
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Register now for Kane County Certified Naturalist programDec 13, 2013 2:56 pm - Ankle-deep in the water, a student peered into the creek. She gingerly reached for a creature crawling under the water. It disappeared under a rock. Mustering up courage...
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Creepy creatures: Myths and truths about spiders, bats and snakesOct 04, 2013 8:22 am - A curious thing happens this time of year. Suddenly, animals that people fear are in great demand. Creepy life-forms are all the rage. Gross is good, repulsive becomes a...
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Red oaks: Where and how they growSep 15, 2013 7:56 am - The searing heat of the summer day seemed inescapable. I tramped through the tall grass and headed for shade. A grove of oak trees looked promising. Reaching the hillsi...
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Leaf peepers: Clues to help identify white oaksAug 19, 2013 6:00 am - “There were many splendid oaks,” wrote John S. Wilcox in 1906, describing Kane County at the time of European settlement. “Massive boles would square over two feet, whi...
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Find out why oaks are endangered and how to help preserve themJul 29, 2013 6:00 am - The oak tree was once hailed as king of the forest. People called it magnificent, majestic and mighty. But that was then. Now, the oak no longer reigns supreme. As a gr...
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Rescue me - or not? Why you should leave wild animals beMay 31, 2013 3:53 pm - A minivan pulled up to the edge of a forest preserve at dusk. A woman hurried out of the car and furtively headed into the tall grass, carrying a box in her arms. In a m...
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Spring beauty wildflowers live up to their nameApr 24, 2013 1:08 pm - Native Illinois wildflower lives up to its name
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Soft maples deserve respect, tooMar 25, 2013 2:38 pm - If you’re graceful, tall, and beautiful, you’ve got a lot going for you. If you’re breathtakingly beautiful in fall colors, and if you’re the sweetest thing around come ...
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Maple trees offer more than just syrupFeb 27, 2013 2:20 pm - ‘Tis the season to think maple. Granted, this is not Vermont, it’s Illinois. Nor is it autumn, it’s winter. But our native Illinois maple trees are noteworthy, especiall...
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Forest preserve opens new nature center in St. CharlesFeb 02, 2013 10:00 pm - The new Creek Bend Nature Center at LeRoy Oakes opens to the public Monday, Feb. 4. The welcome sign is up, and we hope you'll stop in. The Forest Preserve District of K...