Co-Sponsored by:
Severson Dells Nature Center and Natural Land Institute
SDNC: 815/335-2915 NLI: 815/964-6666
Explore North Central Illinois
No fee for the walks, but membership in SDNC and/or NLI is encouraged!
Come experience the north central Illinois landscape. Walk where flowers
carpet the forest floor and birds fill the air. Develop a greater appreciation and understanding of our natural heritage. Severson Dells Nature Center and the Natural Land Institute are the organizing agencies of the event, with the following groups providing leaders from their organizations: Boone County Conservation District, Byron Forest Preserve, Sand Bluff Bird Observatory, Sinnissippi Audubon Society, and Wild Ones.
All walks begin at 6:00 pm
April 18, Wednesday — Kinnikinnick Creek Conservation Area. Join the Boone County Conservation District staff as they hunt for early spring wildflowers in the hardwood forest at Kinnikinnick Creek Conservation Area. Most of the hike will take place in the 102-acre Illinois Nature Preserve that is located within the park. After the hike, enjoy refreshments and social time with fellow wildflower enthusiasts.
April 26, Thursday — Anna Page Park. Meet Barbara Williams at the shelter house for a tour of wildflowers and birds at this Rockford Park District property. We will travel though a variety of natural communities, from creek bottoms to maple forest, and may view marsh marigolds, trillium, blue-eyed Marys and numerous other spring wildflowers. Bring binoculars to view migrating birds. Moderate hiking with wet areas.
May 2, Wednesday — Conklin/Carleton Conservation Easement. The owners of this beautiful land along the Pecatonica River recently protected their properties with a conservation easement and are inviting us to visit. Jerry Paulson will lead the walk to see the forest floor covered with Virginia bluebells, trilliums and Jack-in-the-pulpits. Downy woodpeckers, Baltimore orioles and great horned owls raise their young in the green ash, basswood, black maple, black walnut and red oak trees growing around the oxbow lakes. Park near the farm buildings on the north side of Freeport Road (Highway 75), one quarter mile east of Bates Road. Moderate hike with wet areas.
May 10, Thursday — Hartley Memorial Forest Preserve. This 40-acre upland forest is owned by the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District and is located 3 miles south of Durand on IL Rt 70. Dave Kostka will lead us though this mature forest, which is dominated by basswood and white oak. A dense layer of spring and summer flowering herbaceous species includes wild geranium, sweet cicely, blue cohosh, rue anemone and bellwort. Easy hiking.
May 16, Wednesday — Colored Sands Forest Preserve. Join Sand Bluff Bird Observatory’s naturalists Lee and Lynda Johnson for a tour of the beautiful sand country at Colored Sands Bluff Nature Preserve. The vegetation is unique to dry sand prairies, which once dominated the area but now are very rare. This easy level walk will be a great hike for beginners as well as the experienced. Bring a wildflower book, binoculars, and bug spray.
May 24, Thursday — Atwood Prairie. Jack Armstrong and Kevin Kaltenbach will lead a tour of this fine remnant prairie that the Sinnissippi Audubon Society has been working hard to restore. Atwood Prairie is owned by the Rockford Park District and besides having great birds and wildflowers, the area has a rich history. Easy hiking.
May 30, Wednesday — Seward Bluffs Forest Preserve. Join Severson Dells naturalist Richard Benning as we meet in the parking lot down by the lower creek bridge. From there we’ll start our hike by observing the beautiful bluffs of Seward Bluffs. The Forest Preserve is full of numerous wildflowers and scenery; among the numerous plants we will see are Jack-in-the-pulpit and green dragon. Moderate walking.
June 7, Thursday — Byron Forest Preserve. Byron Forest Preserve is much more than just a beautiful prairie; join BFP naturalist Richie Wolf as he leads us to the wooded ridge overlooking a great view of the Rock River. We think that you will enjoy this part of the preserve, too. Easy hiking.
June 13, Wednesday — Sugar River Alder Forest Preserve. Fran Lowman and Mary Anne Mathwich from the Wild Ones will lead this hike. The Sugar River Alder F.P. is tucked away in the far northwest corner of Winnebago County. It hosts numerous ecosystems providing great habitat for many species of birds and plants. Also great hiking trails in one of the most quiet forest preserves in the district. Easy walking.
