Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation
A resource for conserving private land
in Jo Daviess County, Illinois
JDCF Event, May 2011
A packed trolley takes guests to a tour of Galena Gateway Park site, during the recent ribbon cutting ceremony.
Invasive Species Workshop
Feb. 11, 2011, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
JDCF Office, Elizabeth, Illinois
Part 2: Herbaceous Invasive Plant Species (continued)
The Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF) is hosting a three-part Invasive Species Workshop this winter. Cory Ritterbusch, owner of Prairie Works, Inc., a local ecological restoration firm, is leading each session. Cory is the Noxious Weed Commissioner for Jo Daviess County and has recently published a new book entitled "H.S. Pepoon: Pioneer Conservationist of Northwest Illinois." The workshop covers woody and herbaceous invasive plant species plus demonstrations of control methods.
Annual Meeting
February 25, 2012
5:30 - 8:30 PM
Ramada Inn, U.S. Highway 20, Galena, Illinois
A special presenation by the Pella Wildlife Company features two furry guests, an American bobcat and a Candian lynx.
Prescribed Prairie Burn School and Team Organization
March 3, 2012, Property Owners Club, Galena Territory
8:30 AM — optional 'burn basics' class
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM — required organization meeting
Beginning at 8:30 AM we will conduct a basic class in fire behavior and prescribed burn planning and execution.
All new participants or people who would like to review this material should arrive at 8:30. Having some
experienced burn team members present during this early session is helpful for discussion, so we encourage any
who can make it to attend.
At about 10:45 AM we will begin a session for all burn team members. This session will review material of
importance to all team participants and finalize the schedule for 2011 burns. If you plan to skip the basic material,
please arrive by 10:30 AM. Bring your burn manual if you have one (some will be available that day)
and your personal calendar so that burn schedules can be reviewed and finalized.
All burn team participants must be Guardian members. Nonmembers can be enrolled
the morning of the school. Any comments or questions, contact Dick Peterson (815-777-1484, email) or Jeff Horn (815-858-9100, email).
All About
White-tail Deer
March 12, 2012, 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Galena Public Library
601 S. Bench Street, Galena, Illinois
Able to leap tall fences in a single bound, the white-tailed deer is an animal of incredible beauty and power. Join us at this event and gain a new knowledge of North America's most abundant big-game animal.
Invasive Species Workshop
March 17, 2012, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve, Galena, Illinois
Part 3: Hands-on Demonstrations
The Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF) is hosting a three-part Invasive Species Workshop this winter. Cory Ritterbusch, owner of Prairie Works, Inc., a local ecological restoration firm, is leading each session. Cory is the Noxious Weed Commissioner for Jo Daviess County and has recently published a new book entitled "H.S. Pepoon: Pioneer Conservationist of Northwest Illinois." The workshop covers woody and herbaceous invasive plant species plus demonstrations of control methods.
All About Bluebirds
April 7, 2012, 8:30 - 11:30 AM
Apple Canyon Lake Clubhouse
Attend this free, half-day program to learn about the beautiful eastern bluebirds, how they have been brought back from near extinction, and how you can attract them to your property. Local experts will share their years of experience in erecting and monitoring bluebird next boxes. Find out how to get these gems of blue to raise families in your yard.
Moonlight Frog Walk
April 13, 2012, 7:00 -9:00 PM
Buehler Preserve, Galena, Illinois
Bring the entire family to hear the exuberant chorus of up to eight different types of frogs in full spring cry. JDCF's annual spring frog walk begins at the Galena River levee leading to Buehler Preserve, located one block east of the intersection of Main and Meeker, downtown Galena, past the foundry. Please bring a flashlight and weather appropriate clothes.
Participants will hike along the river levee looking and listening for different species of frogs and toads. Expert guides will help walkers distinguish the different calls heard there. Participants will also learn about amphibian decline and what it means for our environment.
River Clean Up
April 21, 2012, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Meet at Gear's Ferry Landing, Galena, Illinois
This annual event has been held since 2003. Dedicated volunteers have collected many tons of garbage from the Mississippi and Galena Rivers. We've hauled away propane tanks, old buoys, lawn mowers, tires, and steel drums — many more items, large and small, for proper disposal and recycling.
Education Day
May 4, 2012, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Apple River Fort, Elizabeth, Illinois
Three stations of nature education: raptors, prairie, and history.
Spring Saunter
May 12, 2012, 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Schurmeier Teaching Forest, Elizabeth, Illinois
Come celebrate the change of season with a guided tour of our beautiful 56-acre upland forest. Expert guides will point out the migratory birds and wildflowers that have returned.
What Tree is That?
June 2, 2012, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Galena Territory Association Owners' Club
Galena, Illinois
Join a Tree ID Workshop designed to help the whole family identify our local trees. After a morning of learning about leaves, bark, and nuts, participants will hit the trail to play Tree Bingo and find out how much they have learned.
Pam Johnson will lead this workshop. Pam has an associate degree in horticulture from the College of Lake County, and she has worked as a landscape designer.
Backyard Buddies
July 11, 2012, 1:00 PM
Apple Canyon Lake Clubhouse
This program teaches young children how to use backyard materials for constructing a simple habitat that will make small birds and mammals feel at home. The public is welcome to attend this program, which is part of ACL's Summer Camp.
Owls and Raptors
July 12, 2012, 1:00 PM
Apple Canyon Lake Clubhouse
This short classroom program focuses on our larger feathered friends, their habitats and lifestyles. Owl pellets will be dissected for an up-close look at an owl's diet. The public is welcome to attend this program, held as part of ACL's Summer Camp. Though targeted to fifth graders, this event is appropriate for the whole family.
Camp Casper
July 17, July 19, and July 20, 2012, 1:00 PM each day
Casper Bluff Land and Water Reserve, Galena, Illinois
Children from six to ten years of age are invited to discover and reflect on the wonders of nature in this outdoor education summer camp at beautiful Casper Bluff. Overlooking the Mississippi River, this three-day canp includes programs focusing on plants, animals, and Native American land use, culture, and tradition. Preregistration required, fee applicable.
Native American Prairie Day
July 28, 2012, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Wapello Land and Water Reserve, Hanover, Illinois
This one-of-a-kind event offers something for the whole family. See thousands of wildflowers in full bloom on the prairie. Relive life 1000 years ago with guided tours of the buried Indian village and ceremonial mound. View demonstrations of an ancient weapon (atlatl thrower), plus local archaeological collections with stone tools, arrowhead points, pottery, trade goods, and beads — a whooly mammoth tooth will even be on display. Listen to a Native American flute player. Sample indigenous foods. Have your face painted. This event is jointly hosted by the Friends of the Hanover Land & Archeological Reserve and the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation.
Bark, Berries & Nuts
September 8, 2012, 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Schurmeier Teaching Forest, Elizabeth, Illinois
Take an easy hike through JDCF's 56-acre upland forest. Learn to identify the trees of Jo Daviess County by leaves, bank, and fruit. Young and old will enjoy learning about the importance of native forests and how they are managed to preserve them for future generations.
Mammals & Skulls
October 13, 2012, 10:00 AM
Apple River Fort, Elizabeth, Illinois
Let a skull and skin collection teach you about mammals common to Illinois. Discover how much you can learn about an animal by looking at its skull.
Owls and Bats
Up Close
November 17, 2012, 10:00 AM
Apple River Fort, Elizabeth, Illinois
You don't have to stay up late to find out about the kind of creatures that favor the night skies. How do owls and bats hunt at night? Why are owl eyes so big? Do bats actually bite people? This program targets children in grades 3-7, but people of ages are welcome.
