Programs & Events
April 2008
Please register for classes at least one week in advance by calling 309.874.2174 or emailing register-sgnc@earthlink.net.
Funks Grove Stewardship Work Days
Saturdays, April 5th & 19th, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Don Schmidt, the Dean of Green, leads a faithful group of
volunteers in a variety of stewardship activities every other
Saturday throughout the year. Join the group on a regular basis
or stop out on occasion to assist with exotic species removal,
seed collection, and other projects. FREE,
No registration required.
Illinois
Sustainable Living & Wellness Expo: Farm to Fork
Friday, April 11th, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. &
Saturday, April 12th, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Illinois Weslyan University Shirk Center
302 E. Emerson St., Bloomington, IL
Join over 100 exhibitors and 20 presenters at the Shirk
Center on Wesleyan’s campus to learn about the many aspects of
sustainability and wellness. Be sure to visit Sugar Grove
Nature Center’s exhibit while you are there! Look for special
food-related workshops, samples, and information at this event
hosted by the Ecology Action Center and the Illinois Wesleyan
University Wellness Program. For details, visit
http://ecologyactioncenter.org/islwe/index.html. FREE.
ScoutSweep Litter
Clean-Up Initiative
Saturday, April 12, Noon - 2:30 p.m.
We are teaming up with the W.D. Boyce Boy
Scout Council to clean up cities, parks, and natural areas. The
council-wide goal is 10,000 ScoutSweep Service hours- that’s
only two hours per scout! Scouts are invited to help clean-up
the beautiful habitat of Funks Grove while earning your
ScoutSweep service hours as part of the ScoutSweep Litter
Clean-Up Initiative! Please wear sturdy shoes & brightly colored
clothing. We will provide collection bags and gloves.
Individuals and groups are welcome. FREE, Registration required.
Register your Scout group today!
Twin City Amateur
Astronomers Public Observing Session
Planet Quest - Mars & Saturn
Saturday, April 12, 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
The Twin City Amateur Astronomers Club
invites the public to join them at the Sugar Grove Observatory
to learn about Mars and Saturn as well as other prominent
celestial objects. A short lecture will precede observation
using the observatory telescope, as well as several ground
telescopes. You don't have to an expert to appreciate this
program, interest is all that is needed. All ages are encouraged
to attend and to dress appropriately for the weather. The
program may be cancelled in the event of a cloudy sky. Phone
Carl at 309.830.4085 or Michael at 309.825.6454 after 6:00 p.m.
to confirm if you are unsure. Visit TCAA's website at
http://twincityamateurastronomers.org. FREE, no registration
required.
Nature Tails: Who
Lives in a Shell?
Wednesday, April 16, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. OR
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
How many animals can you think of that have a
shell? We'll look at many of them in this class for 3-5
year-olds with an adult chaperone, and learn how their shells
protect them and help them survive. In addition, we will read a
story, have a snack, and make a craft. Fee: $5/child members,
$7/child non-members; Registration required.
Spring Bird Feeding
Seminar
Saturday, April 19, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Whether you feed the birds year-round or are
new to this popular hobby, this seminar is for you! Spring is
the time to clean up your feeding station and prepare for the
arrival of visitors like orioles, hummingbirds, and grosbeaks.
Learn how to attract more birds to your feeders while deterring
squirrels. Explore methods for keeping your feeding stations
clean and healthy. And, find out what birds you can expect to
see migrating through our area this spring from Jeanine Morse of
Wild Birds Unlimited in Normal. After the formal presentation,
Jeanine will address questions from program participants.
Everyone will receive a bird feeding goody bag and one lucky
participant will win a hummingbird feeder! This program is
suitable for adults and children over 12. Fee: $3/members,
$5/non-members, Registration required.
A Walk in the Woods -
Wildflower Walk
Saturday, April 19, 12:30 p.m.
Each year at this time, Virginia bluebells
carpet the forest floor of Funks Grove. Violets, Dutchmen's
breeches, Trout lilies, and other spring wildflowers are
scattered among the logs and leaf litter, soaking up the
sunshine and providing explosions of color to announce the
arrival of spring. Join us for a leisurely stroll to identify &
learn about the nature of spring in Funks Grove. Fee:
Free/members, $2/non-members, Registration required.
Boy Scouts: Bird
Study Merit Badge
Saturday, April 26, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Upon completion of this program sponsored by
John Wesley Power Audubon Society, Boy Scouts will have met all
of the requirements necessary to receive their Bird Study Merit
Badge. Scouts will learn to explain why studying birds is
important, be able to recognize the field marks and topography
of birds, utilize binoculars and field guides, be able to learn
how to attract birds to their yard, and be able to identify 20
birds by sight and 5 by sound. Fee: $15/scout, Registration
required and form must be postmarked by 04/12/08. For more
information on how to register for this program please print
this registration form.
