Forest Preserve programs feature fossils, fishing, and seated bird watching
Say goodbye to summer with a fishing derby at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm in Bolingbrook. Two sessions of the Summer Sendoff Fishing Derby are scheduled for 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 23. (Forest Preserve staff photo | Anthony Schalk)
Say goodbye to summer with a wide range of Forest Preserve District programs in Will County in late September. Online registration is available on the events calendar at ReconnectWithNature.org, here’s the list:
Will County Fossils (Webinar via Zoom): 6:30-7:30pm Wednesday, September 20, online. Join Donald J. Miculek for a fascinating look at fossils found along the Des Plaines River. Mikulic was a senior paleontologist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and now works as a curator at the Weiss Museum of Geosciences in Menasha, Wisconsin. He has edited books on fossils, including Remarkable Fossils: 300 Years of Global Research on Trilobites. Free, for ages 14 and older. Register online for the Zoom link.
Autumnal Equinox Paddle: 5-7 p.m., Thursday, September 21, Moonee Reservoir, Moonee Township. Watch the sunset with an evening paddle on the water. Your own kayak or equipment will be provided, including your choice of canoe or kayak. After the paddle, hang by the fire and enjoy a beverage of your choice. BYOB; Beer or wine only. This is a non-instructional hike on the water. Ages 21 or older; $20 per person. Register by September 19.
Summer fishing derby: 7-9 a.m. and 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Sept. 23, Hidden Lakes Trout Farm at Hidden Oaks Preserve, Bolingbrook. Find the best spot along the beach and try your luck at fishing. One free container of night crawlers will be provided. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded for the biggest catch. Ages 5 or older; $5 per person. Register by September 23. Registration is available on Derby Day if there are still places left.
A day exploring the museum campus: 10am-4pm Saturdays, September 23 and October 28, Isle a la Cache Museum, Romeoville. Join us for a self-exploration of the campus. Visit 18yA century-old traders’ hut or peek inside a Native American longhouse above the pollinator garden. Learn about the French and Potawatomi fur traders who once called this area home.
Save seeds and sips: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, September 28, Plum Creek Nature Center, Crete Township. Learn the basics of flower and seed preservation, learn about some easy-to-grow flowers, and spend some time harvesting and sorting seeds to save and plant in your garden next spring. BYOB; Non-alcoholic drinks or beer and wine only. Participants will leave with seeds of each type of flower, storage envelopes and growing information. Additional seeds will be donated to the Seed Library at the Crete Public Library. Ages 21 or older; $5 per person. Register by September 27th.
Coffee at the meeting: 9:30 – 11 a.m. Saturday, September 30, McKinley Woods – Kerry Sheridan Grove, Channahon. Enjoy a seated bird watching experience while drinking fresh, bird-friendly coffee. Grab a folding lawn chair and your favorite mug and let the birds come to you at the confluence of the DuPage and Des Plaines Rivers. Meet in the parking lot and walk to the meeting point. Assistance with moving chairs will be available. Free, for ages 18 and older. Register by September 29th.
Paint and take the rain barrel: 1-3pm Saturday, September 30, Hidden Oaks Nature Centre, Bolingbrook. Join a forest reserve naturalist and special guests from the Conservation Foundation to celebrate World Rivers Day. Learn about water conservation activities your family can incorporate at home. Each family will paint a rain barrel to take home to stabilize and help conserve fresh water. Free, for all ages. Register by September 24th. Registration is by phone only; Call 8125-722-4121.
Try it, Ty-It Fly-Tying Workshop: 90-minute sessions at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, Monee Reservoir, Monee Township. This workshop, intended for those with limited flying experience, including beginners, will be offered by Trout Unlimited. General fly tying techniques will be demonstrated, as will basic trout fly patterns. All equipment and materials are provided by Trout Unlimited. Free, for ages 12 and older. Register by September 27th.
For more information about the Will County Forest Preserve Area, visit ReconnectWithNature.org.
