Programs & Events
June 2008
Please register for classes at least one week in advance by calling 309.874.2174 or emailing register-sgnc@earthlink.net.
Nature Exploration
Day
Saturday, June 7, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Bring the family out for a day of fun at the
Nature Center! A guided hike will take place at 10:30 a.m.
Stop inside to create a make-and-take craft at any time, and
don’t miss animal feeding time at 1:00 p.m. Spend some time
burning off energy in the fresh air at Imagination Grove, our
outdoor nature play area, or bring a good book (your own, or
borrow one from our library) and find a quiet spot under a
tree. There are plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic lunch, as
well. FREE, No registration required.
Twin City Amateur
Astronomers Public Observing Session
A Big Dipper Full of Stars
Saturday, June 7, 9:00 - 11:00 p.m.
The Twin City Amateur Astronomers Club
invites the public to join them for an observing session at the
Sugar Grove Observatory focusing on the Big Dipper, 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.
Funks Grove Stewardship Work Days
Saturdays, June 14 & 28, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
(Please note earlier summer hours.)
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.
Stories & Songs
Campfire
Friday, June 20, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The whole family will be entertained by
nature-themed stories, songs, and fables around the fire while
enjoying s'mores and lemonade. Feel free to bring some stories
of your own to share! Fee: $2/members, $5/non-members,
Registration required.
Going Batty
Thursday, June 26, 6:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Learn about bats and see some up-close at
this spectacular program! Joe Kath, Illinois DNR Endangered
Species Program Manager, will give a presentation about bats and
highlight those that may be caught during the program. Then,
we'll use a bat detector and mist-nets to locate and capture
bats feeding along Timber Creek. This program is great for ALL
ages! Participants will receive bat related materials and feast
on a batty snack! Wear long pants and close-toed shoes. Fee:
$5/members, $7/non-members, Registration required.
Night Hikes: The
Grove After Dark
Friday, July 25 & Friday, August 15, 9:00
- 10:30 p.m.
Explore the Grove after the sun goes down.
Listen to the sounds of the night, and notice how your other
senses come alive as your sight diminishes. Fee: $2/members,
$5/non-members, Registration required.
Hummingbird Festival
and Pollination Celebration
Saturday, August
30, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Visit Sugar Grove Nature Center as we
celebrate hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees! Attend seminars
led by enthusiastic experts on hummingbirds and go bee-tracking
(an old-time hobby) with our resident bee keeper. Sample Sugar
Grove Nature Center honey, make a hummingbird feeder, and hike
our trails. Tour our gardens and learn butterfly identification!
Donations appreciated. The Illinois Audubon Society (IAS) will
be banding hummingbirds from 10a.m.-1:00 p.m. Learn all about
this valuable research tool and see ruby-throated hummingbirds
up-close! Visitors will have the opportunity to adopt a
hummingbird, proceeds to benefit the IAS, and then release one
of the banded bird.