September 2010
Guided Bird Hike
Saturday, September 11, 8:00 am
Join volunteer naturalist Phil Schwab as he leads a hike to look for late summer and early fall migrants. We hope to see great crested flycatchers, veeries, and a variety of vireos and warblers. Severson Dells Forest Preserve is a great place to spot numerous bird species. The hike will be easy in difficulty and will begin at the Nature Center. No fee. 1-815-335-2915
Pieta Brown
Sunday, September 19, 2:30 p.m.
At Severson Dells Nature Center
“Pieta Brown is a great singer/songwriter who possesses *major star power magnetism*.” - Don Was
We are fortunate to have Pieta come back to Severson Dells. She is presently touring with John Prine and had a very successful spring tour with Mark Knopfler.
Now planted in Iowa, after releasing three critically acclaimed albums in the last five years—One and All (2010)–Remember the Sun (2007) and In the Cool (2005) - Pieta has signed with Red House Records. A natural addition to the label’s award winning roster, she spent her early childhood in the very red house that gave the label its name. On her label debut “Shimmer” she delivered 7 stripped down tacks of soulful alt-country songs recorded by Don Was (Bob Dylan, Bonnie Riatt, Rolling Stones.) Steadily she has gained attention across the musical genres, the Iowa folk-based songwriter has toured with John Prine, Ani Difranco, Calexico, J.J. Cale, Iris Dement and Mason Jennings, among others. You will not want to miss her in the intimate setting of Severson Dells Nature Center.
Tickets $10.00 call 1-815-335-2915, limited seating available.
Robert Michael Pyle
Thursday, September 23, 7:00 p.m.
at Severson Dells Nature Center
Reading and Book signing
In honor of the memory of Alan Hutchcroft
Bob completed the First Butterfly Big Year in 2008. Severson Dells Nature Center as well as southern Illinois were stops along the way in his quest to find as many of the North American butterflies as he could. The outcome for this wonderful man was a book that he entitled, “Mariposa Road: The First Butterfly Big Year.” Come out and listen to him tell stories about his discoveries along the way. Bob Pyle founded the Xerces Society for invertebrate conservation. He has published hundreds of papers, essays, stories, and poems, in many journals. He has written more than ten books and was past winner of the John Burroughs Medal for Distinguished Nature Writing.
Please call for more details. 1-815-335-2915
Dr. Pond Scum
Sunday, September 26, 1:30 p.m.
Program is directed for kids ages 6-11, but others may attend.
Foolishness, fun and of course, education is what the Doctor has on order, so you won’t want to miss it. Local area science teacher Gary Pasch mucks and yucks it up as his lovable and laughable character, Dr. Pond Scum. Meet at the Nature Center. Free to all, kids must be accompanied by adults. Please call to reserve a spot for your family. 1-815-335-2915
Kraig Kenning
Sunday, September 26, 3:00 p.m.
at Severson Dells Nature Center
Call him contemporary folk, blues, roots rock, American Fingerstyle or Americana. Regardless of the genres crossed, Kraig Kenning manages to leave every audience feeling like they’ve just spent some quality time with an old friend. Together with his trademark dobro and passionate lyrics, Kraig reminds us just how personal–and potent–original music can be.
Kenning’s driving perfectionism and attention to matters of the human spirit have inspired comparisons with Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Bob Dylan and Jackson Brown…to name a few.
Simply log onto his website to take a peek into the pages of Kraig’s candid online journal, and the comments of fans and friends in his highly unedited guestbook. You will not want to miss him at the Dells.
Admission: $10; limited seating call 1-815-335-2915
Meet the Forest Preserve Board Candidates
Monday, September 27, 7:00 p.m.
A program of the Sierra Club
at Burpee Museum, 737 N. Main St., Rockford
This public forum is a unique opportunity for voters to get to know the 35 candidates running for Winnebago County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners. Take advantage of this opportunity to hear what candidates have to say about our protected open space, habitat, natural resources, and their current involvement with the natural world.
October 2010
Finding Hope in a Time of Change…Curt Meine
Sunday, October 3, 6:30 p.m.
Free. In Honor of the memory of Alan Hutchcroft
This presentation lead by Curt Meine will begin with a sneak preview of the Aldo Leopold Foundation’s upcoming new release Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and the Land Ethic in the 21st Century. After the showing, Curt will use an essay he has written found in the book, Moral Ground: Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril, entitled, “Spring’s Hopes Eternal,” as a launching point to share his thoughts about hope in these troubled times.
Curt Meine is a Senior Fellow with the Aldo Leopold Foundation in Baraboo, WI. He is widely respected throughout the world for his work on major issues of conservation and environmental ethics. He is perhaps best known as Aldo Leopold’s biographer, publishing the book Aldo Leopold: His Life and Work in 1988.
Call 1-815-335-2915 to reserve a seat.
Volunteer Host/Hostess Training
Wednesday, October 6, 6:00 p.m.
We need host/hostess volunteers. Host/hostess volunteers staff the nature center on weekends when regular staff is not here. Duties include greeting visitors, answering phones, taking messages, and making bookstore sales. Shifts are from 8-12 or 12-4:30 on Saturdays and 1-4:30 on Sundays. There is no minimum amount of time required, although many of our volunteers are comfortable helping out once a month or once every two months. We have a training scheduled for Wednesday, October 6 at 6:00 p.m. and it lasts about an hour. If you would like to sign up, please call 1-815-335-2915. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, but can’t make the training, we can schedule individual orientation.
Guided Bird Hike
Saturday, October 9, 8:00 am
Join volunteer naturalist Phil Schwab as he leads a hike to look for late fall migrants and the “regulars” of Severson Dells Forest Preserve. Special sightings might be wood thrush, eastern wood-pewee, kinglets, towhees, and warblers. Severson Dells Forest Preserve is a great place to spot numerous bird species. The hike will be easy in difficulty and will begin at the Nature Center. No fee. 1-815-335-2915
Rock River Fly Casters Program
Nels Akerlund at Severson Dells Nature Center
Wednesday, October 13, 7:00 p.m.
Severson Scamper
Saturday, October 23, 9:00 a.m.
rescheduled from July 24 (remember getting over 10 inches of rain in less than 24 hours?)
Fundraising Breakfast
Tuesday, October 26, 7:30 a.m.
At Giovanni’s Restaurant
Saturday, October 30, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Rd., Rockford, 61114
You’re Invited ! A Community Meeting Hosted by the Four Rivers Environmental Coalition and Rock Valley College to discuss and act upon the newly released book, Moral Ground: Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril
Join Moral Ground editors, Kathleen Dean Moore and Michael P. Nelson for a public “town hall” meeting where they will read selections from the book and lead local residents in discussing:
- An original proposal for a new approach to the climate change crisis
- A call- to -action based on moral and spiritual premises
- Diverse viewpoints by writers from every walk of life
- An engaging discussion with specific suggestions for personal action
- A positive, hopeful, and forward-looking perspective on a divisive issue
Moral Ground brings together the testimony of over eighty visionaries—theologians and religious leaders, naturalists, scientists, elected officials, business leaders, activists, and writers—to present a compelling call to honor our individual and collective moral responsibilities to the planet. In the face of environmental degradation, species extinction, and climate change, scientific knowledge alone does not tell us what we ought to do. Nor can political processes or economic incentives give us all the answers. The missing premise of the argument and the much-needed centerpiece in the debate to date has been the need for ethical values, moral guidance, and principled reasons for doing the right thing for the future of the planet, its animals, its plants, and its people.
To guarantee a seat, please call the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District headquarters by October 29, at 1-815-877-6100. Visit website for more information
November 2010
Dean Moriarty Band
Thursday, November 4, 7:00 p.m.
At Severson Dells Nature Center
For over 10 years Dean Moriarty has been performing jazz/blues/rock/funk/Latin in Northern IL/Southern WI. The band mixes original compositions with contemporary jazz and rock classics, in a high energy show filled with improvisation and a serious groove. They will fill the walls and halls of Severson Dells like you have never heard. Come out for an early stroll through the woods at Severson Dells F.P. and then sit back and take in the tunes.
Tickets $10.00 call 1-815-335-2915, limited seating available.
Family Night Hike
Friday, November 5, 7:00-8:30 pm
Join Severson Dells naturalist Don Miller on this family night hike to listen for owls and other night sounds. Listen to see if we can discover what goes bump in the night. All ages welcome. Free to members of “Friends of Severson Dells;” $3 per family non-members. Call 1-815-335-2915 to register.
Winter Bird Feeding Workshop
Saturday, November 20, 9:00-10:30 am
Bill and Pat Hoople, owners of Wayne’s Feed Store on Auburn Street in Rockford, will be instructing this annual birdfeeding workshop. The workshop will benefit beginners as well as long time feeders. Registration is required, call 1-815-335-2915
Feeder Watching Basics
Saturday, November 20, 10:45-11:45 a.m.
What are those feathered critters visiting your feeders? Severson Dells staff educator Richard Benning will cover ways to learn about those birds. Selecting bird identification guides and binoculars will also be discussed. Call for reservations. 1-815-335-2915
