Wed 18 Jun 2008
e-Notes from the Dells: Extinction of Experience
Posted by Brian Leaf under Info, Events, Observing Nature, In the News, Rock River Times
e-Notes From the Dells
June 2008
Spread the word about Severson Dells to your people! Forward this newsletter by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.
In this issue . . . . .
1. A World Class Butterfly Dude and A Top Shelf Author
2. Butterfly Hikin’ With the Pros
3. Kiddie Lit and Outdoor Discovery
4. What You’ve Missed in the Rock River Times
5. Whaddya Mean There’s Nothing to do Around Here?
6. Hall Creek Scamper: Run Green on July 26
7. What Kids Say About Nature
8. Leopold Project: Using A Sand County Almanac as a Curriculum Guide (Register by Sat. June 21)
1. World Class Butterfly Dude & Top Shelf Author
Over the years some of the country’s greatest naturalists, conservationists, authors and artists have come to Severson Dells.
We’ve got a double header you won’t want to miss: World renown butterfly expert Robert Michael Pyle and a Severson Dells’ favorite, writer extrordinaire Scott Russel Sanders.
Pyle’s Bio: http://www.xerces.org/Butterfly_Conservation/butterflyathon.html
Sanders Bio: http://www.scottrussellsanders.com/biog.html
They’ll be at the Nature Center on Friday, June 27 for a twin bill, starting at 6:30 p.m. The program is entitled The Extinction of Experience. IT’S FREE! Sponsored in memory of Dr. Alan Hutchcroft.
Scott will read from his forthcoming book, First Boy in the Woods.
Bob is making a return trip, too, as he traverses North America on a quest to find as many of the 800 species of butterflies that call the continent home. He’ll talk about how close daily involvement with nature is the only true antidote to alienation and what he calls “the extinction of experience.”
Then, they’ll lead a group discussion on how we can reconnect a society that has pushed nature away.
2. Butterfly Hikin’ With the Pros Note: These hikes are open to members only and there are fees. But they’ll be worth every penny!
To join, call (815) 335-2915.
Come, be in the presence of butterfly greatness. Bob Pyle and Jim Wiker know Lepidoptera. They want you to know butterflies, too. They’ll lead Severson Dells members on two separate hikes to discover our region’s flying jewels on Saturday, June 28.
Bob, is founder of the Xerces Society, a worldwide organization that seeks to protect and conserve invertebrates. He is one of the top butterfly experts in the world. Jim wrote the book, literally, on Skippers of Illinois. You won’t find a higher caliber nature walk this summer, if ever. So call and sign up.
3. Children’s Lit as Springboard to Outdoor Discovery 
If you read to a child, you need to join us this Sunday, June 22, to help make kid’s books truly come alive. You’ll explore cross-cultural picture books and venture afield for activities suggested in the stories.
The workshop will be co-led by Mira Reisberg and Clifford Knapp.
4. What You’ve Missed in the Rock River Times Severson Dells staffers are writing weekly columns for the Rock River Times. Please pick up a copy of the paper, or buy an ad to support our work!
| The candied fable – by Don Miller
My Weeds — by Brian Leaf The last float – by Don Miller Seeking a sense of place — by Don Miller The gift of nature education — by Brian Leaf |
 |
5. Whaddya Mean There’s Nothing to Do Around Here? 
June 2008
22: Using Children’s Literature as Springboards to Outdoor Discoveries, 1:00 pm
23-25: Grandparents and Kids Camp, 9:00 am
27: Extinction of Experience, featuring Robert Michael Pyle and Scott Russell Sanders, 6:30 pm
28: Butterflies in the Field with Robert Michael Pyle and Jim Wiker, 9:30 am and 1:30 pm.
July 2008
08-10: Nature Play for Little Kids, 9:00 am
12: Leopold Education Project, 8:30 am
22-24: Adventure Quest Camp
26: Hall Creek Scamper
26: In Flow With Nature’s Inspirations, 8:30 am
26: A Night of Music: Everybody Needs a River, 7:00 pm
27: Bats at the Beach (at Pec River FP), 7:00 pm
6. Hall Creek Scamper: Run Green!
Come run with us on a trail race that’s more than just a romp through the woods. Hall Creek Scamper Race Director Stephanie Baliga has applied the 4 Rs — reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink — to this event. Her goal: Create a running event in a beautiful setting that minimizes waste and energy inputs.
So on July 26th, there’s a 5k open race, a 5k youth race and a 1 mile run-walk-scavenger hunt. In addition to individual awards, we’ll score the 5k races like a cross country meet, so get a few running pals together and compete as a team.
Race begins at 8 a.m. Register now as entries after July 23 will cost more.
There will also be a green expo where area businesses will display their environmentally friendly wares.
Someday, we hope this will become a template for other race directors to follow.
Click here for a video about the race (produced by Phil Pilcher of The Abilities Center).
Volunteers needed: Contact Stephanie at dellsgreenrun@gmail.com
Learn More About The Hall Creek Scamper.
We need a race director for 2009. Know anybody? dellsgreenrun@gmail.com
7. What Kids Say About Nature Do you remember seeing your first deer? Jasmine saw her first whitetail during a visit to Severson Dells.
Click here and she’ll tell you her story.
8. Leopold Project: Using A Sand County Almanac as a Curriculum Guide
When: Saturday, July 12, 8:30 am-3:30 pm
Where: Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road
For Whom: Teachers and Youth Leaders (Illinois teachers can earn 6 CPDUs!)
What: The Leopold Education Project is a curriculum that guides learning through direct observation of the natural world. Aldo Leopold’s book, A Sand County Almanac, forms the basis around which the curriculum is centered. Participants will receive a curriculum guide, a copy of A Sand County Almanac and a set of task cards.
How Much: $45 (Full Scholarships Available Through Winnebago County Pheasants Forever)
Instructors: Dr. Clifford Knapp, Professor Emeritus at NIU and Richard Benning, Severson Dells Nature Center.
Pre-registration is required. Deadline June 21. Call (815) 335-2915 to register.
About Severson Dells Nature Center
What: Your link to the Natural World in Northern Illinois Where: 8786 Montague Road, Rockford, IL 61102 When: Open Mon.-Sat., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sun., 1-4:30 p.m.
Call: (815) 335-2915
Write: info@seversondells.org
Severson Dells Nature Center is a 501(c)3 non profit organization. Our mission: To Link People to Nature Through Education.
We rely on donors to support our work. Click here now to show your support.
© Severson Dells Nature Center
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