Articles filed under Kane County Forest Preserve District

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Maple sugaring heralds spring’s arrivalMar 5, 2014 12:00 AM
The best things in life are worth waiting for. Spring, for example. The initiation of spring for many folks is maple sugaring. Both spring and maple sugaring are a long time coming this year. But they are coming.
New plan calls for white water rafting, floating gardens in Fox RiverFeb 25, 2014 12:00 AM
White water rafting, a floating botanical garden and an NCAA-level rowing course may transform St. Charles' portion of the Fox River into an active tourist hub if a plan envisioned by a local foundation is embraced by taxing bodies. “The Fox (River) is an aesthetic wonder,” a presenter said. “And it’s our most underutilized asset. The river should be a centerpiece for the city.”
Challenger only voice in Kane Co. District 3 raceFeb 18, 2014 12:00 AM
Officially, two candidates are on the ballot in the Democratic primary for a seat in Kane County Board District 3. But incumbent Jennifer Laesch has been absent from several meeting during the past few months and has not responded to multiple interview requests about her status. That leaves challenger Don Ishmael as the lone voice in the race.
Decision on ComEd lines through Kane Co. preserves comes down to money Feb 9, 2014 12:00 AM
Kane County Forest Preserve District commissioners are positioned to intervene on a plan that would place ComEd power lines and towers on the outskirts of two preserves. The district, though, could bend to desires of local farmers and allow lines to run through the preserves instead. But that will only happen if ComEd is willing to pay the district enough to buy one of the neighboring farms. The whole decision will come down to money.
Longtime Pioneer Sholes volunteers honoredJan 20, 2014 12:00 AM
Hazel and Art Clauter of Geneva have spent more than 30 years in a one-room schoolhouse. But not as students or teachers. The Clauters, now in their 90s, are longtime volunteers at Pioneer Sholes School, the 1872 one-room schoolhouse in LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve.
100 years later: Lessons we can learn from the passenger pigeonJan 20, 2014 12:00 AM
In today’s world, the passenger pigeon, which became extinct in 1914, could be branded an “extreme” bird. Some ornithologists refer to this species as a “biological storm.” By all accounts, it was extraordinary. The story of its demise is extraordinary as well.
Tree and brush thinning to begin at Freeman Kame Jan 20, 2014 12:00 AM
Tree and brush thinning to begin at Freeman Kame Forest Preserve.
Kane officials oppose ComEd’s proposed power line path Jan 15, 2014 12:00 AM
Kane County officials signaled Wednesday they will oppose the primary route ComEd envisions for power lines in the new Grand Prairie Gateway project. But when county board members put on their forest preserve commission hats Friday, they are likely to hear that opposition isn’t enough. “In the end, we have no power, as the county, to prohibit this from happening,” board member Kurt Kojzarek said.
Seniors invited to join walks through Kane County forest preserves Jan 14, 2014 12:00 AM
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County invites area seniors to join in the monthly “Senior Stroll” program on Thursday, Feb. 6. Each month, district naturalists lead a leisurely walk through a Kane County Forest Preserve, and share ecology highlights along the way.
State law sparks union, partisan debate in Kane County Jan 14, 2014 12:00 AM
In another somewhat rare issue that will pit Democrats against Republicans on the Kane County Forest Preserve Commission, there is a move to oppose a change to the state's prevailing wage law. The change would broaden the number and type of workers receiving the prevailing wage and, opponents argue, disqualify a number of small, local contractors from being so-called “responsible bidders.” That classification requires training and apprenticeship programs usually only offered in unionized companies.
Take a walk and network with others who love nature Jan 13, 2014 12:00 AM
Enjoy a wintry walk along the trails of Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia, a 250-acre natural marshland and an Illinois State Nature Preserve, as part of the “Nature Network.”
Home-school students invited to program on snow Jan 10, 2014 12:00 AM
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County invites home-school families to study the science of snow as part of the “Homeschool Explorations” nature program series.
Algonquin, Carpentersville score grant for Fox River improvementsDec 29, 2013 12:00 AM
Algonquin and Carpentersville have secured a grant aimed at enhancing recreational opportunities along the Fox River, which runs through both villages. “It was great to have a willing partner who has similar goals and we can work together to try to make the river more of a regional draw,” said Ben Mason, Algonquin’s senior planner. “The stretch from Algonquin to Carpentersville is four miles, so that’s a very good stretch.”
Bird watchers learn which ones stay through winter at St. Charles program Dec 28, 2013 12:00 AM
While most birds head south over winter, about 12 bird watchers and a novelist learned which hearty birds stay and brave northern Illinois winters, including northern cardinals, hawks, owls and other birds during a nature program Saturday in St. Charles. Kane County Forest Preserve District naturalist Ben Katzen led about 12 visitors on a hike in LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve near Creek Bend Nature Center.
Families hunt for signs of nature’s creatures at Sugar Grove forest preserve Dec 28, 2013 12:00 AM
Thirteen explorers discovered ample evidence of raccoon, mice, mole, coyote, squirrel and rabbit. But only by the tracks they left in the snow. The occasion was a Friday-morning winter scavenger hunt at Bliss Woods Forest Preserve in Sugar Grove. “I think the programs are a wonderful way to discover new forest preserves,” said participant Pat Shaefer.
Register now for Kane County Certified Naturalist program Dec 13, 2013 12:00 AM
It's never too late to learn more about nature -- and yourself. Classes for the 2014 Kane County Certified Naturalist program begin in January, and include lectures and discussions on local ecology, and field trips to natural areas.
Kane forest preserve district finalizes Pingree land dealDec 11, 2013 12:00 AM
Kane County Forest Preserve District officials finalized the purchase of more than 40 acres in Pingree Grove this week. Despite the perception that the land is unbuildable wetland, district officials said that could be fixed.
Hear how technology helps, hinders night sky viewing Nov 29, 2013 12:00 AM
Learn about the night sky — and how excessive outdoor illumination has impacted our society — at a Dec. 4 “Learn from the Experts” nature program. Experiencing the night sky is part of the common heritage of mankind. Excessive outdoor illumination prevents us from experiencing the night sky as our ancestors did just a few decades ago.
Police seek help locating 85-year-old Aurora-area man Nov 24, 2013 12:00 AM
Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 85-year-old man from Aurora Township. According to police, Enrique Ruiz has been missing since Friday afternoon, when he didn’t return home from a walk in the Oakhurst Forest Preserve.
Habitat restoration workday held at Bliss Woods Nov 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Six volunteers braved gusty winds and bitter temperatures to help at Bliss Woods Forest Preserve near Sugar Grove for a restoration workday on Saturday morning. Local naturalist and forest preserve steward Mary Ochsenschlager divided the group into pairs to cut down invasive, nonnative species, such as buckthorn, and then treat the stumps with herbicide. Native seeds were gathered for future plantings.