Around One Log Storywalk®
Thursday, April 21 - Monday, May 30
AROUND ONE LOG STORYWALK®
Timberdoodle Trail, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Daily During Preserve Open Hours
What’s under that old log over there? This book introduces children to the wonderful world of small creatures that inhabit the niche of a rotting log that is so often overlooked. This self-guided activity will be set up along the Timberdoodle Trail at Homer Lake Forest Preserve. As you stroll down the trail, you are directed to the next page in the story. The StoryWalk® concept is an innovative way for children and adults to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Park at the Interpretive Center parking lot and follow the signs to the StoryWalk®. Visit anytime during preserve open hours. FREE. All ages. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.
Self-Guided Spring Wildflower Walk
Friday, April 8 - Sunday May 9
SELF-GUIDED SPRING WILDFLOWER WALK
Rayburn-Purnell Woods, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Daily During Preserve 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 walk and look for signs of spring at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve is the Rayburn-Purnell 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.
Garlic Mustard Removal with Natural Resources Staff *Volunteer Opportunity*
Tuesday, April 26
GARLIC MUSTARD REMOVAL WITH NATURAL RESOURCES STAFF *Volunteer Opportunity*
Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Park at Walnut Hill Shelter (follow signs), 10 a.m. - Noon
ALL locations are subject to change if there is not a lot of garlic mustard in our planned sites. Date, time and preserve will stay the same. Emily will send out an email the day before the event with any location changes. Look for signs leading to the right spot. Wear closed toe shoes and long pants. Bring a refillable water bottle and gloves, if interested. Look on social media the morning of the event for cancelations due to weather.
Thursday, April 28
A Closer Look at a History of Healing: Talking Tuberculosis
Wednesday, May 4
A CLOSER LOOK AT A HISTORY OF HEALING: TALKING TUBERCULOSIS
Online Event, Streaming on the Museum of the Grand Prairie Facebook & YouTube pages, 10-10:30 a.m.
Get a sneak preview of some of the content you will see in the Museum of the Grand Prairie’s newest special exhibit, “A History of Healing: Infectious Diseases and Community Responses to Defeat Them,” set to debut May 22, 2022.Tuberculosis was the scourge of the early years of the 20th century, and for centuries preceding. It was often depicted in literature and art as a beautiful and romantic way to waste away. Did you know that it was also the impetus for Champaign County having a Public Health District, or the reasoning behind Carle Hospital? We’ll talk about tuberculosis, both locally and globally in this presentation by Museum Director, Barb Oehlschlaeger-Garvey. Tune in to see artifacts, images, and stories that will be part of this special exhibit opening soon. FREE. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or pcain@ccfpd.org.
Saturday, May 7
GARLIC MUSTARD REMOVAL WITH NATURAL RESOURCES *VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY*
Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, North Waterfowl Area (follow signs), 10:00am - Noon
A Closer Look at a History of Healing: Community Responses
Wednesday, May 11
A CLOSER LOOK AT A HISTORY OF HEALING: COMMUNITY RESPONSES
Get a sneak preview of some of the content you will see in the Museum of the Grand Prairie’s newest special exhibit, “A History of Healing: Infectious Diseases and Community Responses to Defeat Them,” set to debut May 22, 2022. Katie Snyder, Education Program Specialist, and Pat Cain, Public Programs/Visitor Services Coordinator, will discuss the historic influence of such diseases as polio, HIV, and AIDS. Katie and Pat will pay particular attention to ways local community members responded to these influential diseases throughout the area’s history. Tune in to see artifacts, images, and stories that will be part of this special exhibit opening soon. FREE. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or pcain@ccfpd.org
Location TBD, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Garlic Mustard will be starting to go to seed now and this will be a "last ditch effort" event, meaning we will choose the location based off of somewhere that either we were not able to get to or is so bad we could not do it ourselves. Could be any of the preserves, could be the same location as a previous event. Plan to pin down this location the Monday before the event.
International Migratory Bird Day
Saturday, May 14
INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY
Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Today is International Migratory Bird Day, and we are celebrating with a day that's all about the birds! At 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., we'll have a presentation about migratory birds followed by a short bird walk. Weather-permitting, we will have bird-themed craft and activity stations set up outside. Stop by anytime during program hours to learn more about the birds that migrate through our region during this time of year. Current public health guidelines will be followed. FREE. All Ages. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.
Gnome Home Miniature Garden
GNOME HOME MINIATURE GARDEN
Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 1-2:30 p.m.
Gnomes need homes and we need to garden! This in-person program will have you creating a special home for the fairies and gnomes looking to relocate. Planters and plants and all you need is provided to create a natural space for our ethereal friends. $10 per child participant. Ages 5-11 accompanied by an adult. Registration required at ccfpd.org. Programs may be altered or canceled due to COVID concerns. Current public health guidelines will be followed; see CCFPD’s Covid Guidelines and Waiver for In-person Programs. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or mmontez@ccfpd.org.
Register online at https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/activity/search/detail/1553
A Closer Look at a History of Healing: House Calls
Wednesday, May 18
A CLOSER LOOK AT A HISTORY OF HEALING: HOUSE CALLS
Get a sneak preview of some of the content you will see in the Museum of the Grand Prairie’s newest special exhibit, “A History of Healing: Infectious Diseases and Community Responses to Defeat Them,” set to debut May 22, 2022. Mark Hanson, Curator, will discuss the whys and wherefores of house calls by doctors & other medical professionals, why they declined, and a recent resurgence of them. Tune in to see artifacts, images, and stories that will be part of this special exhibit opening soon. FREE. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or pcain@ccfpd.org.
Walk with a Naturalist
Friday, May 20
WALK WITH A NATURALIST
Interpretive Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 10- 11:30 a.m.
Join us for a guided hike along the Timberdoodle Trail. We’ll point out interesting plant species, birds, insects, and more! Meet at the Homer Lake Interpretive Center. Current public health guidelines will be followed. Programs may be cancelled due to inclement weather. All ages. FREE. Space is limited; registration required by May 19 at ccfpd.org. All attendees (adults and children) must register in advance. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.
Register online http://apm.activecommunities.com/ccfpd/Activity_Search/1558
Exhibit Opening: A History of Healing
Saturday, May 21
EXHIBIT OPENING: A HISTORY OF HEALING
Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Open Hours: 1-5 p.m.
Check out a new special exhibit at the Museum of the Grand Prairie titled “A History of Healing: Infectious Diseases and Community Responses to Defeat Them.” The exhibit will focus on the impact and influence of such diseases as the 1918 flu, smallpox, malaria, tuberculosis, polio, typhoid, cholera, HIV, AIDS, and COVID-19. When viewing this exhibit, visitors will build an appreciation and basic understanding of the historic influences disease had over people’s lives and communities, both in central Illinois and abroad, resulting in a better understanding of how disease affects us today and informing our responses to it. In addition to examining the impact disease has had on the health and well-being of local communities, the exhibit will highlight particular instances in the past, as well as the present, where local citizens came together during previous epidemics and pandemics for the betterment of their communities. Current public health guidelines will be followed; see CCFPD’s Covid Guidelines and Waiver for In-person Programs. FREE. For more info: (217) 586-2612 or pcain@ccfpd.org.
Take Me Fishing: Middle Fork
Saturday, May 28
TAKE ME FISHING: MIDDLE FORK
Cypress Pond, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, 9-11 a.m.
Join us for a morning of free fishing fun for the whole family! We will have cane poles and bait available for use. Kids will have the chance to win awards and prizes. Basic fishing instruction will be available for beginners. Cane poles and bait will be available to use, but you are welcome to bring your own. All event fishing is catch-and-release. Adult supervision of children 15 and under is required. FREE. All Ages. Current public health guidelines will be followed. For more info: (217) 896-2455 or jwick@ccfpd.org.