CARRIE RODRIGUEZ “Give Me All You Got Tour”
At Severson Dells Nature Center
Thursday, April 4, 7:00 p.m. show
Tickets $15
Carrie Rodriguez—is a fiddler, singer, and songwriter—from Austin, Texas. She has learned the importance of letting go. That was certainly true when it came to recording her fifth solo album, Give Me All You Got her first of largely original tunes in several years.
Blackhawk Woodcarvers Show
Saturday, April 6, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
At Severson Dells Nature Center
Stroll through the rooms of Severson Dells Nature Center and view the great artwork of the Blackhawk Woodcarvers. Watch them create their art right before your very eyes and KIDS take part in soap art carving activities. (ARTWORK for viewing and purchasing.)
The Blackhawk Woodcarvers is a local organization that meets at Kenrock Community center every Wednesday morning to share in carving and socializing. There is a membership of 102 men and women whose skills cover the spectrum of the carving art; caricatures, real life, stylistic, and relief carvings. The Blackhawk Woodcarvers’ mission is to continue the old craft of woodcarving by encouraging anyone to seek and learn the art of carving. Also carving classes are provided on a regular basis. Routinely the club provides carving workshops for kids in many Rockford organizations, as well as an annual fall woodcarving show with attendees from most of northern Illinois and several bordering states. FREE.
Frog/Toad Survey of WCFPD
At Pecatonica River Forest Preserve
Thursday, April 18, 6:30 p.m.
We’ll meet at Pecatonica River Forest Preserve shelterhouse parking lot and hop down to the “barn.” Inside we’ll discuss the different types of frogs and toads species found in northern Illinois. We will listen to their calls and explain the need to conduct surveys.
We’ll walk down to the oxbow lake (easy 1 mile walk, there and back) and listen and document what frogs/toads are found. After surveying at PRFP we’ll carpool to Pecatonica Wetlands and other WCFPD properties in the western part of the County and survey there. We’ll end by talking about how you can help by surveying other properties and reporting back your information. For ages 8 and up, please call with reservations 1-815-335-2915.
Fireside Readings
Saturday, April 20, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon.
Join Severson Dells Biologist/Educator Greg Keilback for warm fireside readings of Sig Olson. The readings are short excerpts from Sig’s writings that paint a picture of the outdoors with descriptive ingeniousness. Participation in the readings are open to all. The readings will be followed by group discussion and s’mores. Free to members of “Friends of Severson Dells;” $3 per family non-members. Call 1-815-335-2915 to register. (Visit Beautiful Ely, Minnesota, and learn about one of the most celebrated nature writers!
Something We Hope You’ll Really Like!
Saturday, April 20, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Come out to learn about flying squirrels and the habitat they rely upon. The hike will be of moderate difficulty at Kishwaukee Gorge North Forest Preserve, and it is encouraged that you bring a flashlight! All ages welcome. Maybe we will find a moose?
Free to members of “Friends of Severson Dells;” $3 per family non-members. Call 1-815-335-2915 to register.
Earth Day Celebration/Show April 21, 2013
at Severson Dells Nature Center
Gather all ye caretakers of the Earth for this glass clinking event!!
LUCIE THORNE doors/reception at 1:30pm, show at 3:00pm (BYOB) Free Will Donation
please call for reservations 815-335-2915
Lauded for her unique voice, poetic lyricism, and tender to-gutsy electric guitar playing, Lucie Thorne has earned her place as one of the most striking lyricists and voices of Australian contemporary song. Lucie grew up in northern Tasmania, the daughter of a poet father and music loving mother. After relocating to Melbourne for several years, she is now based in the tiny locality of Bimbaya (pop: 4) on the edge of the emerald Bega Valley on the far south coast of NSW. It’s here in an old wooden cottage by the Tantawangalo Creek that Lucie writes, records, and tends a garden, when she’s not on tour.
Lucie is a friend of Pieta Brown and is visiting in the states to record a new CD. Pieta says she will be traveling with Lucie and may sit in on some songs. It promises to be a magical afternoon. Check her out at www.luciethorne.com
“A Naturalist Afield” An evening with Keith Blackmore
Thursday, April 25, 7:00 p.m.
Keith Blackmore will share readings and pictures from his just released book entitled, “A Naturalist Afield: “End of the Trail” and other Poems.” Spanning over 55 years, these poems capture Keith’s insight, love, and understanding of the world around him using a keen naturalist’s eye. He draws from his years of teaching to bring it all to life for the reader. Keith began his teaching career at Forreston High School, but from 1969-2006 he was a teacher at Highland Community College. He taught a wide variety of subjects, but his specialties were biology, ecology, and field ornithology. Free to all, refreshments and book signing after, so please call for reservations. 1-815-335-2915. (Part of program will be outside, weather permitting.)
Digital Flora Photographic Mystery Tour“A Day to be Remembered”
Saturday, April 27, starting at 8:30 a.m. and going until you drop (or until you want to go home).
Pecatonica River Forest Preserve is the starting spot.
This class will help you capture the beauty of our precious native wildflowers with your digital camera. (or phone) We’ll meet with Tim Lewis (see next page) for an inside workshop and then head to the nature preserve area of Pecatonica River Forest Preserve. The flower hike will be led by staff naturalist with photographer Tim in tow. Lots of great spring ephemerals will be found and not a bad picture can be taken! Then we’ll jump into our cars and drive to Oak Ridge Forest Preserve where we’ll hike to an 80 acre woods filled with an ocean of bluebells. AWOW!
(Optional stop and refuel at Machesney Park’s vegan microbrew Pig Minds for lunch (or bring a sack lunch and a stop at Kieselburg Forest Preserve.)
We’ll take a few pictures at Kieselburg and then stop at a very beautiful mystery preserve. (We’ll let you know when we get there, that is what makes it a mystery!)
The tour will end if you are still aboard at Severson Dells Nature Center where we will download our favorite shots of the day and watch them on the big screen while listening to the Beatles “White Album”, filling the room with oooos and aaaaaas!!
You will be able to go out and start taking better pictures right after the class, learn and name some of our native plants. The principles that will be taught can also be applied to everyday photography. Some of the topics covered will include:
- Shutter speed and aperture control
- The basics of exposure
- The basics of composition
- Bring your camera and instruction manual.
Tim Lewis has extensive experience in the field of photography and will show you how to get stunning photographs of wildflowers with a digital camera. Tim is a past president of the local Rockford Shutter and Lens Club, past president of the local chapter of Wild Ones – Native Plants, Natural Landscapes, and is the current national Wild Ones president. $15 per person, you must provide your own lunch, if not stopping at Pig Minds, and provide your own transportation. Reservations are a must! If interested in carpooling please let staff know while registering. 1-815-335-2915. Walking will be moderate.
Emerging Emergents
Saturday, May 4, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Come on out to study the fascinating flora of the early spring season. We will start off inside with a classroom lesson on what the woods are doing as winters’ hold releases. An easy hike will follow to view the beginning of the flower show!
Free to members of “Friends of Severson Dells;” $3 per family non-members. Call 1-815-335-2915 to register.
Snakes Alive!
Saturday, May 11, 1:00 p.m.
Back by popular demand is Snakes Alive! with snake guy, Tom Kessenich. Join this Madison, Wisconsin herpetologist for this program designed to give the audience an inside view of the world of snakes. Tom’s interest started as soon as he could crawl out of the house and his passion for snakes is obvious. His presentation will help you understand snakes more completely and remove any fears if you have them. In addition to learning about the individual snakes, you’ll get an up-close look at the true beauty of snakes. A fascinating experience for all ages.
Free to members of “Friends of Severson Dells”; Non-members: $5/family; $3/individuals. Call: 1-815-335-2915 to reserve your seat!
WHITNEY MANN
At Severson Dells Nature Center
Saturday, May 11, 7:00 p.m. show
Tickets $10
Whitney Mann is an old soul with a child’s glow. Her story is only beginning. It’s the story of a poetic farm girl from Michigan who grew up to open for Loretta Lynn. It’s the story of a young woman whose voice will break your heart but whose songs will bring you back for more.
“Whitney Mann is the best kept secret in Wisconsin,” says Willie Nelson Production Manager John T. Selman, who watched 26-year-old Mann open for Nelson. “She’s raw, she’s real. Whitney sings and writes from the heart. You can’t ask for more than that from a musician.” Whitney has opened for George Jones and has played at the Coronado Theater in Rockford, IL. Her new EP is entitled , “This Little Light of Mine.” (www.whitneymannmusic.com)
of WCFPD
At Oak Ridge and Deer Run Forest Preserves
Wednesday, May 16, 6:30 p.m.
We’ll meet at Oak Ridge Forest Preserve parking lot and hop down to the wetlands. We’ll discuss the different types of frogs and toads species found in northern Illinois. We will listen to their calls and explain the need to conduct surveys.
We’ll listen and document what frogs/toads are found. After surveying at Oak Ridge we will drive to Deer Run Forest Preserve in the eastern part of the County and survey there. We’ll end by talking about how you can help by surveying other properties and reporting back your information. For ages 8 and up, please call with reservations 1-815-335-2915.
Winnebago County Forest Preserve District
Nature Fiesta
Saturday, May 18, 12:00- 4:00 p.m.
Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve (entrance on Mulford Road)
Bring the family to this outdoor event to discover local nature! Exhibits, crafts, activities, and guided hikes will help explorers of ages learn about our local butterflies, birds, trees, flowers and rivers. Don’t miss this chance to get up close & personal with live birds, monarch butterflies, and an aquarium of local aquatic species. Naturalists will lead groups through the forest preserve to discover spring wildflowers, birds, woods and the Kishwaukee River. Materials and activity leaders will provide educational information in Spanish and English. Free and open to the public. Call 1-815-877-6100 to register.
SDNC Trip to Ely, Minnesota
Tuesday, May 21- Sunday, May 26
Join Severson Dells Nature Center as we spend four full days walking the northern Minnesota trails and shorelines that inspired Sig Olson. We will visit Listening Point located on Burntside Lake, the namesake of his classic book, and tour Ely, MN. We will also visit the International Wolf Center and International Bear Center, take some time to look through the downtown shops, and explore some of the local forest trails. The trip may include hikes and outings of moderate difficulty. Call 1-815-335-2915 to register.
Tallgrass Prairie: Adding Resilience Value to Farms and Watersheds
Thursday, June 6, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Dr. Laura Jackson is Professor of Biology at the University of Northern Iowa where she teaches courses in ecology and restoration and does research on the restoration of biological diversity in agricultural landscapes. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Grinnell College, and a Ph.D. in Ecology (minor in Agronomy) from Cornell University.
Laura is coeditor with Dana Jackson of The Farm as Natural Habitat: Reconnecting Food Systems and Ecosystems (2002) and has given many presentations on this topic to scientific, farm organization and general audiences.
Free to members of “Friends of Severson Dells”, $3/non-member. Please call to register for this important talk 1-815-335-2915. All of us that live in agricultural areas need more than ever to join together to preserve our landscape.