The Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation plans enjoyable and
educational events throughout the year. They are all for the general
public, appealing to every age group and experience level.
Thursday Birding & Field Exploration
Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois
Weekly outings begin March
11, 2010, 9 AM at Spring Lake.
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Please call Deb Kelly at 815-858-9100 or send an
email,
if you wish to be added to the email list to receive information about
Thursday birding each week during spring migration season.
Annual Meeting, JDCF and Conservation Guardians of Northwest
Illinois
March 26, 2010, 5:30 -8:00
PM
Location: Chestnut Mountain Resort
The cost is $40.00/person.
The evening will include a buffet dinner, awards ceremony, and special presentation
by JDCF staff. RSVP to 815-858-9100 or to info@jdcf.org.
The Wonders of Bird Migration
Planetary Studies Foundation Winter Lecture Series
March 27, 2010, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, The
Barnwarth House, 408 E. Sycamore, Elizabeth, Illinois.
Bluebird Workshop
Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois
April 17, 2010, 8:30 AM. –
12:30 PM, Galena Territory Association Owners' Club.
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Whether you know nothing about the eastern bluebird
or are an experienced "bluebirder," you're sure to enjoy the Guardians'
bi-annual Bluebird Workshop.
This year our featured speaker is North American Bluebird Society Board
Director and Treasurer Greg Beavers. He is traveling from Indiana to speak
to us about bluebirds and their predators.
Also on the agenda will be two breakout sessions. One will be on the basics
of bluebirding: nest box options, where and how to place nest boxes, how
to monitor them once they're up, and various troubleshooting issues. Breakout
leaders Randy Downing, Grace Storch, and Bob Todd will share their wealth
of information during this session. The second breakout session will cover
how to photograph bluebirds. Award-winning nature photographer Barbara
Baird will lead this session, where she'll discuss bluebird behavior as
well.
Plan now to attend this free workshop, which will be held at the Galena
Territory Owners' Club. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the workshop
going from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
There will be bluebird nest boxes, books and other items for sale at the
workshop, and some great door prizes will be given away to attendees.
If you need directions to the Club, see www.thegalenaterritory.com.
The workshop is co-sponsored by the Guardians, Jo Daviess Conservation
Foundation, The Galena Territory Greenspace Committee, and Wild Birds
Unlimited of Galena.
River Clean-up
April 17, 2010, 8 AM – 3 PM, Gear’s Ferry Landing, Galena, Illinois.
Earth Day
Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois
April 20, 2010, 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Turner Hall, Bench Street, Galena, Illinois.
Environmental exhibits, live music in the afternoon, and food available
for sale from Cindy's Catering.
Fifth Grade Earth Day Observance
Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois
April 21, 2010, April River
Fort, Elizabeth, Illinois. Raptor program and stories by Brian “The Fox”
Ellis.
Moonlight Frog Walk
Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois
April 23, 2010, 7:30 PM, Meeker Street Footbridge, Galena, Illinois.
Learn the difference between frogs and toads and how to identify them by sight and sound at this one-of-a-kind event. Bring your flashlights.
Sixth Graders at Camp Benson
Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois
May 4-5, 2010, Mount Carroll, Illinois.
Business Meeting
Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois
May 5, 2010, 8:30 AM, The
Artful Lodger, Route 84 and Blackjack Road, Hanover, Illinois. $5 continental breakfast. Everyone welcome.
Volunteer Appreciation Day Potluck Lunch
May 8, 2010, 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM, Schurmeier Forest Shelter, Elizabeth, Illinois.
JDCF staff would like to thank all those who have volunteered with our organization! Your contributions of time and energy are extremely important to us. This event is also an opportunity for Jeff Horn, JDCF staff member, to meet all of our volunteers. After lunch, Jeff will highlight the different projects and needs for each property. The day will conclude with a tour of Schurmeier Forest. We strongly encourage all of our volunteers to attend.
Drinks provided.
Bird and Wildflower Walk
May 15, 2010, 1:00 PM, Schurmeier Teaching Forest, Elizabeth, Illinois.
Business Meeting
Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois
June 2, 2010, 5:30 PM,
Evening meeting and Potluck. 431 Stadel Road, Elizabeth, IL, Call 815-845-2731 for directions. Bring a dish to pass — and table service.
Janet Fischer, a long time advocate for restoring passenger train service
to our area, will give us an update on the plans for railroad service in
northwest Illinois.
Kids in the Creek
Sponsored by JDCF, Conservation Guardians,
U of I Extension
June 5, 2010, 1:00 PM, Galena Territory Marina.
Learn to assess the health of a local stream by examining the bugs that call it home.
Bluebird Trail Walk
Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois
June 5, 2010, 1:00 - 3:00
PM, Galena Territory Marina.
Explore exhibits amd learn about bluebird nesting activity. See firsthand what's going on in the bluebird boxes on Marina Drive and on another nearby bluebird trail. For more information and directions, call Wild Birds Unlimited at 815-777-2883.
Birds Nests & Beaks
Sponsored by JDCF, Conservation Guardians,
U of I Extension
June 19, 2010, 10:00 AM
Casper Bluff Land & Water
Reserve
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Every animal eats and has a home!
Come and learn about all the different types of nests birds make. Discover
how different beaks are adapted to eat different foods.
Remember to bring you binoculars!
Adopt-A-Highway Clean Up
July 10, 2010, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Highway 20 East, Galena, Illinois
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The Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation seeks volunteers
to help pick up roadside litter and beautify the view of the “Gateway
to Galena” as part of our Adopt-A-Highway portion of Hwy 20.
The event will begin at the Grant Hills Motel parking lot just east of downtown
Galena, IL. As a partner with the Illinois Department of Transportation’s
Adopt-A-Highway Program, JDCF is responsible for the section of Hwy 20 that
runs from Jupiter Lane to one mile west of Mt. Hope Road.
Advanced registration is appreciated by calling 815-858-9100 or emailing
info@jdcf.org.
Explore the Forest
July 17, 2009, 10:00 AM
Galena River Trail, Galena, Illinois
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Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois, Education Committee
Sponsorship
Explore the different types of trees in Jo Daviess
County. Learn to identify trees by their leaves and fruit.
This event utilizes a Tree Cookie & ID guide.
Stargazing and Native American Stories
July 17, 2010, Apple River Fort in Elizabeth, IL. Starting at dusk.
Listen to folktales around a fire, then observe objects in the night sky
with telescopes and binoculars. Refreshments served. For directions see
www.appleriverfort.org.
Annual Picnic
Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois
July 24, 2010, 5:00 PM, Patinkin
Barn, 6153 S. Speer Rd., Hanover, Illinois.
This picnic starts the month-long celebration of the twentieth anniversary
of the Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois, formerly the Natural
Area Guardians of Jo Daviess County. Short program, auction and raffle, potluck. Bring
table service and a dish to pass. Everyone welcome. This is the Guardians’ only major fundraiser.
Insects: the Good Guys & the Bad Guys
August 14, 2010, 1:00 PM
Galena Territory Owner's Club
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Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois, Education Committee
Sponsorship
For reference material visit: Identify
an Insect.
What makes an insect an insect?
Learn how to identify different bugs and why they are so important to our ecosystems.
This event utilizes stuffed bugs, puppets, and skeletons!
Stargazing and Native American Stories
August 14, 2010, Apple River Fort in Elizabeth, IL. Starting at dusk.
Listen to folktales around a fire, then observe objects in the night sky
with telescopes and binoculars. Refreshments served. For directions see
www.appleriverfort.org.
Founders Brunch
Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois
August 21, 2010, 10:30 AM,
Chestnut Mountain Resort, Hanover, Illinois.
It’s hard to believe the Guardians are twenty years old this year.
And the Founders want to celebrate. Join them for a wonderful morning of
activities as we all look back over twenty years of environmental education and more.
Water Quality Basics
September 11, 2010, 1:30 PM
Galena Territory Marina
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Conservation Guardians of Northwest Illinois, Education Committee
Sponsorship
Is your water dirty or clean?
Learn how water travels
on the landscape and what might be affecting your drinking water.
This event utilizes material from Enviroscapes.
Stargazing and Native American Stories
September 11, 2010, Apple River Fort in Elizabeth, IL. Starting at dusk.
Listen to folktales around a fire, then observe objects in the night sky
with telescopes and binoculars. Refreshments served. For directions see
www.appleriverfort.org.
Fall Forest Walk
September 12, 2010, 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Schurmeier Teaching Forest,
Elizabeth, Illinois
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Celebrate fall by enjoying a beautiful guided Fall
Forest Walk through Schurmeier
Teaching Forest.
The Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation welcomes people of all ages to come
and enjoy the colors of fall and to learn about some of the natural wonders
of Jo Daviess County. This event is free to the public.
Land Stewardship Specialist, Christie Trifone, will point out unique native
trees, wildflowers and berries on an approximately one and a half mile hike
in the forest.
Learn about different forestry techniques used and learn about the health
of Jo Daviess County forests. Meet at the entrance by the picnic shelter,
and be sure to wear boots and weather-appropriate clothes.
O’Galena Orienteering Festival
September 18, 2010, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wooded Wonderland, 610 S. Devil's Ladder Rd., Galena, Illinois
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The public is invited to participate in a day of outdoor
fun at the annual O’Galena Orienteering Festival hosted by the Jo
Daviess Conservation Foundation. This is a unique opportunity to learn the
art of navigating diverse terrain in search of marked points using only
a compass and a map.
There are three courses at this beautiful site and new location for this event. The courses will test beginners and experienced orienteerers
alike, making the event ideal for the entire family. Can you find all the stations along courses, or will you be stuck on the Devil's Ladder?
Experts will be on hand to offer instruction, and compasses will be available for a small fee
to anyone who needs one. Registration is just $10.00/person with kids 6 and under free! Special rates
are available for scouting groups.
Grand Opening — Keough Effigy Land & Water Reserve
October 2, 2010, 3 PM
Stay tuned for more details about the opening of the reserve to public access.
Event Details
