Oak Park Named an Arboretum

Oak Park Named an Arboretum

Now when Oak Park residents step outside, they will have the pleasure of knowing they’re taking a stroll in an officially designated arboretum. The Morton Arboretum announced the accreditation recently in a letter to the village from its president and CEO, Gerard Donnelly. Based in Lisle, The Morton Arboretum created the program that gives municipalities arboretum status “to encourage knowledge, experience and resource sharing among keepers of tree-focused public gardens,” a message posted on the village’s website says.

Forest Preserve Native Plant Orders Due April 30

Forest Preserve Native Plant Orders Due April 30

The Forest Preserve of DuPage County is taking orders for more than 70 species of native plants from now until April 30, for pick up between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., in Oak Brook.  If you choose not to order in advance, then see what is available at their Native Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 8, or from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at the same location. Place advance orders at the link above, or for more information, contact Marcy Rogge at 630-933-7076 or email mrogge@dupageforest.org.

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Summer Jobs with Conservation Corps

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Summer Jobs with Conservation Corps

Do you dream about spending your summer outdoors, doing hands-on work, helping to conserve and restore the environment? The Student Conservation Association and Friends of the Forest Preserves are hiring adult Crew Leaders and High School students for the Chicago Conservation Corps. Applications received before April 24 will be given highest consideration.

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Green Drinks at Triton Features Michael Howard

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Green Drinks at Triton Features Michael Howard

Triton College’s Green Drinks Series will feature Michael Howard with the theme, “Reconnecting Urban Audiences to the Land: Lessons from an Urban Agriculture Program,” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8.  Michael founded Eden Place Nature Center and Urban Farm by cleaning up an illegal dumpsite, with help from family and friends, in his Fuller Park neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. This urban oasis now educates youth and their families about environmental stewardship via wetland, prairie and woodland. Learn more here. The Green Drinks Series is a free, public event with a cash bar, snacks, and plenty of time for networking. Location is Triton College Student Center, Room B-223, 2000 Fifth Ave., in River Grove.

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Arboretum Progress Update

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Arboretum Progress Update

Oak Park might become the second town in the country, and the first in Illinois, to be certified as an arboretum. Oak Park Village Forester, Robert Sproule, made this announcement on Sunday, March 22, at the meeting of The Learning Gardens of Oak Park. The Village of Oak Park in cooperation with the Park District of Oak Park submitted an application on March 13, to the Morton Arboretum to have the trees in the parks and on the parkways of Oak Park certified as an arboretum and are awaiting final approval.

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Native Plant Orders Due March 31

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Native Plant Orders Due March 31

Gardening with natives has never been easier, thanks to West Cook Wild Ones. For the next two weeks, you can order all of those hard-to-find natives that will make your yard come alive again with birds, bees, butterflies, and unique flowers, grasses, trees and shrubs - then drive by and pick up your plants at Dominican University in River Forest on May 17.

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Backyard Prairies--Why Create a Wildlife Corridor?

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Backyard Prairies--Why Create a Wildlife Corridor?

Oak Park residents Pam Todd of West Cook Wild Ones and Ana Garcia-Doyle of One Earth Film Festival will talk about how their organizations have worked together to increase awareness about wildlife corridors at the Wild Things Conference, January 31, at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

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Oak Park Moves Toward Arboretum Accreditation

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Oak Park Moves Toward Arboretum Accreditation

When we think about nature in winter, we may think about snow, ice and gray skies. We may think about squirrels, and maybe cardinals. This is also the time of year when the graceful architecture of trees is starkly visible. Trees give us so many important gifts: cleaner air, fresh oxygen, stormwater management, shade, even energy efficiency for buildings. How well do you know the trees around you?

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Green Living: Tree Health Begins with the Soil

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Green Living: Tree Health Begins with the Soil

We benefit tremendously from having trees in our yards, parks and along our greenways. They save energy, reduce heating bills and increase the value of our homes. Because they give so much, we should give back to them. How can we? It all starts with the soil, said arborist Dan Krug, who gave a two-hour talk, “Caring for Trees by Caring for the Soil: Good Dirt,” hosted by West Cook Wild Ones on Sept. 21 at Dominican University.  Krug covered soil composition and chemistry and the importance of mulching.

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Trailside Museum Fall Schedule

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Throughout the fall:  Programs that repeat

“Woodpecker Hollow” Nature Play Area: 

Balance on logs and build with sticks as you experience unstructured playtime in our nature play area.  Every day

 Bone Appétit

Join us at feeding time to learn about Trailside’s outdoor resident animals:  Monday, September 1; Sunday, September 13; Sunday, October 12; Sundays, November 8 & 22; Tuesday, November 11; Saturday, November 30 • 1 pm

Nature Story Time

Nature-inspired stories followed by a craft. Ages 3-6 with adult. $1 per child.:  Thursdays, September 4 & 18; October 2 & 16; November 6 & 20 • 10:30 am

Dog Days Walks

Bring your well-mannered, leashed dog on a one-hour guided hike on our trails. Call to register by 2 days prior.  Saturdays, September 20, October 18, November 15 • 10 am

Autumn Walks

Explore the changing seasons on a guided walk along our trails and around the pond. Call to register by 2 days prior.  Sundays, September 28, October 5 & 19, November 2 & Monday, October 13 • 1 pm

Weekday Nature Walk

Join us as we explore our local trails near Trailside Museum:  Tuesdays, September 30, October 28, November 25 • 1 pm

 Homeschool Connections

Join other homeschoolers to learn about local nature. Limited space available; register at least 2 days prior to each session. Must be accompanied by adult.

Tree Ecology  Learn about trees many important roles in our ecosystems, and learn to identify some of our local trees. Children ages 8 & up; Wednesday, September 24 • 2 – 3:30 pm

Migration Beyond Borders

Learn the migration stories of birds, insects and reptiles connecting to habitat preservation. Children ages 8 and up. Wednesday, October 22 • 2 – 3:30 pm

Ready for Winter

Learn about different animals’ strategies for surviving seasonal changes in order to prepare for winter.  Children ages 8 and up.   Wednesday, November 19 • 2 – 3:30 pm

 Conservation History Series

Join interested adults and teens to learn about our leaders in conservation. Limited space available; register at least 2 days prior to each session.

Conservation in America:  Explore the ideas and practice of conservation from before Thoreau to 21st century conservation biology. Wednesday, September 17 • 7 pm

 Origins of the Forest Preserves:  Learn how the nation’s first forest preserves were created in a time of great social change. Wednesday, October 1 • 7 pm

Leaders in Conservation: Aldo Leopold, Learn about the man many believe to be the father of the conservation ethic.Wednesday, November 19 • 7 pm

 September

Start Your Nature Journal

Learn and practice tips for starting or enhancing your journal, from pen and paper as well as your favorite smartphone apps. For adults and interested teens; bring your favorite technology if you like. Registration required by 9/4, $15.00/person includes take-home materials. Saturday September 6 • 1 pm

What Leaf Is That? Tree ID for Young People: Enjoy a short nature walk and learn easy ways to identify some trees by leaf, bud, bark and fruit. Children ages 7 – 14, w/adult. Registration required by 9/5. Sunday, September 7 • 1 pm

Killer Plants and Murderous Mushrooms: Learn how some plants and fungi defend themselves, and then follow a naturalist in search of examples in our preserves. For adults and youth 12 and up; registration required by 9/12. Sunday, September 14 • 1 pm

Animal Olympics: Can you leap as far as a frog, or spear fish like a heron? Test your human abilities against amazing animal adaptations. Drop-in family program. Sunday, September 21 • 1 – 2:30 pm

The Endless Garden - Seed Saving: Learn how and when to save and store seeds from your garden plants for next year’s growing season. For adults; register by 9/25. Saturday, September 27 • 1 pm

OCTOBER

Fungus Among Us Learn about some common autumn mushrooms then enjoy a short hunt for local examples.  For adults & interested teens. Registration required by 10/2. Saturday October 4 • 1 pm

Tree Identification Workshop: In this indoor/outdoor workshop we will discuss features of local trees used for tree identification, such as bud and leaf shape, habitat and bark. Adults & interested teens. Registration required by 10/9. Saturday, October 11 • 1 pm

An Evening at Trailside

Get up close and personal with your neighborhood nature center. Sample a variety of educational programs and crafts, chat with your local naturalists and get an up close view of our entire mammal furs & skulls collection. A rare “behind-the-scenes” program will show you how we prepare food for our display animals.

Friday, October 24 • 5 – 8 pm

Photo Meet-Up at Trailside: Photographers of all skill levels are welcome to enjoy a one-hour tour of Trailside Museum and Thatcher Woods, highlighting the autumn color, scenic vistas and locations frequented by wildlife. During and after, photographers are free to get their best nature shots! Saturday, October 25 • 10 am

The Eyes Have It Drop-In Learn how other animals see: from snake eyes that never close to the compound eyes of insects. Drop-in family program. Sunday, October 26 • 1 – 2:30 pm

 NOVEMBER

What Does the Coyote Say? Bark, howl or yip…discover what the coyote really says and visit with Trailside’s resident coyote. Saturday, November 1 • 1 pm

On the Trail of the White-tailed Deer The white-tailed deer is the largest mammal in Illinois. Join us as we explore the natural history of this native animal. Drop-in family program. Sunday, November 9 • 1 – 2:30 pm

Nature Sketching Explore line, value, shading and form as we practice sketching plants and animals from life. Register by 11/13. $15 materials fee includes take-home artist’s tools. Sunday, November 16 • 1 pm

Skull Detectives - The Mystery of the Missing Lunch Use the clues from real skulls to figure out which animal stole the missing lunch. Drop-in family program. Sunday, November 23 • 1 – 2:30 pm

Turkey Trot Hike Walk off that turkey dinner on a special post-holiday guided hike of the trails around Trailside Museum. Registration required by 11/26. Friday, November 28 • 1 pm

The Flying Meat-eaters: Hawks, Owls, Falcons & Vultures Drop in to learn about the life history of the carnivorous birds of our area. Family drop-in program. Saturday, November  29 • 1 - 2:30 pm

Trailside Museum, Forest Preserves of Cook County, 738 Thatcher Ave, River Forest, IL 60305, (708) 366-6530