Spring Exploration Activity Guide
Monday, March 22 to Monday, May 3
SPRING EXPLORATION ACTIVITY GUIDE
Guides will be available to print off our CCFPD website or printed copies will be available outside of the:
● Homer Lake Interpretive Center at Homer Lake Forest Preserve
● Museum of the Grand Prairie at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve
● Campground Host Cabin, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve
Spring is here! Head outside to look for signs of spring; from wildflowers to migrating birds and the return of the butterflies! Download the activity guide or pick one up at one of our facilities to help you explore nature at the preserves or even your own backyard this spring. Grab your gear and start exploring! FREE. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or sclementz@ccfpd.org.
Spring Wildflower Walk
Friday, April 9 - Friday, April 30
SPRING WILDFLOWER WALK
Flicker Woods, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, daily during open hours
Spring is one of the most exciting times of the year because it’s when everything bursts back to life. One of our favorite places to hike and look for signs of spring at Homer Lake Forest Preserve is Flicker Woods Trail because there is always a good variety of wildflowers to see. This month, we will have a self-guided wildflower walk set up along this trail to help you identify the different species that will be blooming throughout the spring. Visit any time during preserve open hours. FREE. All ages. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.
Volunteer Opportunity: Garlic Mustard Removal
Volunteer Opportunity:
Garlic Mustard Removal
Tuesday, April 27th 9-11am
Homer Lake Forest Preserve
Meet at parking lot East of spillway, 1245 Flicker Dr., Homer
Garlic Mustard is an invasive plant that takes over woodlands! Help Natural Resources staff remove it in a socially distanced group. Closed toe shoes or boots and long pants suggested. Bring a water bottle and work gloves if you have them. Staff will be present to teach you about these plants and help you identify them. Activity involves bending.
All ages. Free.
Butter Churning Zoom for Homeschoolers
Monday, May 3
BUTTER CHURNING ZOOM FOR HOMESCHOOLERS
Online Event via Zoom, 10-10:30 a.m.
How did milk from the cow turn into butter on the table 150 years ago? Zoom with Ms. Sandy and discover the answer! Be ready for a VERY tasty treat after all your hard work! Register by April 26 at ccfpd.org. After registering, you will be contacted to pick up your free bag of supplies. FREE. Ages 5-11. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or ksnyder@ccfpd.org.
Link to register:http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1239
Free Garden Seed Share Bag
Tuesday, May 4
FREE GARDEN SEED SHARE BAG
Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 1-3 p.m. or while supplies last
Spring is sprung and now we plant! Whether you are an avid gardener or a beginner, we have seeds to share. We will have a variety of seeds to start your own garden, plus a spring-flowering ephemerals scavenger hunt. Put on your mask and stop by the porch of the Museum of the Grand Prairie for a free contactless Seed Share Bag. This bag is designed for garden lovers of all ages 3-103! FREE. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or mmontez@ccfpd.org.
Fairy Houses StoryWalk
Wednesday, May 5- Tuesday, June 1
FAIRY HOUSES STORYWALK®
Come enjoy Tracy Kane’s Fairy Houses on this enchanting StoryWalk® along the Timberdoodle Trail at Homer Lake. At the end of the walk you can learn to create your own fairy house with natural materials.
StoryWalk® is an innovative way for children and adults to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to signs, which are installed along a trail. As you stroll down the trail, you are directed to the next page in the story. Park at the Interpretive Center parking lot and follow the signs to the StoryWalk®. Visit any time during preserve open hours. FREE. All ages. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or sclementz@ccfpd.org.
Wednesday, May 5th 1-3pm
Lake of the Woods Bike Path
Meet at parking lot between covered bridge and golf course, 109 S Lake of the Woods Rd
Migration Fest in a Bag
Friday, May 7
MIGRATION FEST IN A BAG
Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 1-3 p.m. or while supplies last
International Migratory Bird Day is May 8, and we want to help you celebrate with a craft/activity kit that’s for the birds! Kits will include crafts and activities that you can do right at home, including making your own bird feeder. We’ll provide all the supplies and instructions; you just have to come pick up a kit! Limit 2 kits per family. Pick up will be available at the Homer Lake Interpretive Center beginning at 1p.m. while supplies last. FREE. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.
Volunteer Opportunity: Kickapoo Rail Trail Clean Up
Earth Day Kickapoo Rail Trail Volunteer Clean-Up!
Saturday, May 15, 10am – noon
Meet at either the Urbana Walmart or at Kolb Park in St. Joe's to sign in and get trash bags or buckets. Volunteers may need to drive or bike to a different location along the trail. Bring work gloves and a water bottle if you have them. Closed-toe shoes and long pants are best. Volunteers can social distance, but please bring mask for the start.
All ages welcome. Free. For more info please contact Sue Gallo 217 586-3360 or volunteer@ccfpd.org
RSVP required at https://forms.gle/6BNVfegR8LEQiomV8
Volunteer Opportunity: Kickapoo Rail Trail Invasive Plant Removal
Earth Day Kickapoo Rail Trail Volunteer Invasive Plant Removal!
Meet at either the Urbana Walmart or at Kolb Park in St. Joe's to sign in and meet staff. Volunteers may be asked to drive to a different location along the trail. Bring work gloves and a water bottle if you have them. Please wear closed toe shoes and long pants. Volunteers can social distance, but bring mask for sign in at the start. Adults only, please. Free. For more info please contact Emily Williams 217 586-4389 or ewilliams@ccfpd.org
Sign Up at https://forms.gle/yTXK1jX56h2XcmHf7
Mornings with the Museum: Staff Favorites
Tuesday, May 18
MORNINGS WITH THE MUSEUM: STAFF FAVORITES
Online Event, Streaming on the Museum of the Grand Prairie Facebook and YouTube pages, 10 a.m.
Bring your coffee and join museum staff members for some casual conversation via Facebook and YouTube Live! It’s International Museum Day and the theme for this edition is "Staff Favorites.” Besides the Museum of the Grand Prairie of course, museum staff members will share their picks for other favorite museums and what makes them so special! Be sure to tune in to hear our favorites and even share your favorites with us! We'd also love to hear from you! Want to ask us a question? Please send in all of your questions! Ask your questions live, Facebook message us, or email us at pcain@ccfpd.org. Tune in live to have your questions answered! FREE. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or pcain@ccfpd.org.
Seed Safari: Homeschool Zoom edition
SEED SAFARI: HOMESCHOOL ZOOM EDITION
Online Event via Zoom, 11-11:45 a.m.
Learn how a seed becomes a plant with a Gail Gibbons storybook presentation. Find out how to start a seed in an up-cycled toilet paper cardboard roll and take a virtual peek at what’s growing in our Discovery and Botanical Gardens at the Museum of the Grand Prairie. After registering, you will be contacted to pick up your free bag of supplies; or if you prefer, a supply list can be shared. Register by May 11 at ccfpd.org. FREE. Ages 5-11. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or mmontez@ccfpd.org.
Link to register: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/activity/search/detail/1240
Fire: A Vital Tool for Land Management
Wednesday, May 19
FIRE: A VITAL TOOL FOR LAND MANAGEMENT
Online Event Streaming on the Homer Lake Interpretive Center Facebook page and CCFPD YouTube Channel, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Have you ever visited one of the preserves and seen fire or smoke and wondered what was going on? You might be witnessing a prescribed burn being conducted by our Natural Resources staff! Peter Goodspeed, Director of Natural Resources at the CCFPD, will discuss using fire as a land management tool and detail the district’s current practices in this virtual program. Recommended for ages 18 & up. FREE. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.
CU Lockdown Trivia with the Museum of the Grand Prairie
Saturday, May 22
CU LOCKDOWN TRIVIA WITH THE MUSEUM OF THE GRAND PRAIRIE
Online Event via Zoom, 7 p.m.
Want to test your knowledge?! Join CU Lockdown Trivia and the Museum of the Grand Prairie for a night of virtual trivia. The event will include four unique rounds of trivia with ties to local cultural & natural history, Abraham Lincoln, and women’s history. FREE to play with donations suggested to help support the Education for the Underserved Fund at the Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Register at https://forms.gle/prD2i9wo7gfV8wpg9 to receive the Zoom meeting information. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or pcain@ccfpd.org.
Vintage Base Ball Jamboree
Saturday, May 29
VINTAGE BASE BALL JAMBOREE
Washington St. & Hayes St, Philo, IL, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
In the mood for some old-fashioned base ball? Join us and Summit Station, Champaign County’s newest Vintage Base Ball Club, for an afternoon of America’s favorite pastime, 1860s style! During the jamboree, games featuring 4 Illinois teams will be held throughout the day and played according to 19th century style rules put in place by the Vintage Base Ball Association. In addition to the games, the Museum of the Grand Prairie will also display a temporary exhibit on local base ball history entitled “A Whole ‘Nother Ball Game: Baseball in East Central Illinois, 1940 to the Present.” Summit Station is looking for players to make up Champaign County’s team! Speak with players and learn how you can join this local vintage base ball club. Food may also be available for purchase.
Game Schedule:
Chicago Salmon vs. Springfield Long Nine
Rock Springs Ground Squirrels vs. McLean Co. Prairie Chickens
Chicago Salmon vs. McLean Co. Prairie Chickens
Rock Springs Ground Squirrels vs. Springfield Long Nine
FREE. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or pcain@ccfpd.org.