Come join us for the Beauty and Awe of Nature, a series of nature programs that start Thursday (tomorrow) evening and run through Saturday.

Authors, artists, actors, writers and musicians will present nature-inspired programs for the whole family.

Thursday’s events are at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford, 601 Parkview Ave. Rockford (map). Friday and Saturday’s events are at Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford (map).

Here’s the schedule. For more details on the presenters and their programs, click here.

The Beauty and Awe of Nature, Oct. 12-14

Thursday, Oct. 12
[This program will be at University of Illinois College of Medicine]
6:30-7:30 pm – “Lasting Images” presented by Stephen Trimble
8:00-9:00 pm – A Conservation Vision for the 21st Century by Dave Foreman

Friday, Oct. 13
6:30-7:30 pm – The Need of Open Spaces presented by Stephen Trimble
8:00-9:00 pm – The History of Awe presented by Scott Russell Sanders

Saturday, Oct. 14 (Morning/Afternoon)
9:30-10:30 am - “Snakes Alive” by Tom Kessenich
9:45 - 11:15 am Outdoor Activities about Beauty and Awe – Cliff Knapp

(Food Available 10 am - 2:30 pm Saturday — Choices Natural Market)

11:30-12:30 pm – Connecting to Nature through Writing – Christine Swanberg
11:30 -12:30pm – Nature Photography, Tips and Tricks – Lori Whitman
11:30 – 12:30 pm – Fly Casting Demo Rock River Fly Casters
12:45 – 1:45 pm – Bats of the Midwest, (live bats) Bat Conservation of Wisconsin
2:00-3:30 pm – In the Flow of the Land (musical fun and workshop)
by Carter and Connelly
3:45 – 4:45 pm – Modern Lessons from Ancient (and Beautiful) Rocks
– Tom Fitz, Northland College

Oct. 14 (Evening)
6:30 – 7:30 pm - The World According to John Muir — John Wallace
8:00-9:30 pm – Music…Carter and Connelly, Everybody Needs a River
8:30-9:45 pm - Star Gazing — local astronomers under the Severson Skies

Severson Dells Used Book Sale 9 am – 4 pm Saturday, Oct. 14

The Illinois Natural History Survey Traveling Science Center - at Severson Dells Nature Center Saturday Oct. 14, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm