The Spirit - Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

The
Spirit
January - February 2014
Willowbrook volunteer Susan
Smith and Willowbrook resident,
The Professor, our red-tailed
hawk, teach guests about nature
during “Talons and Claus.”
Celebrating volunteers who share their Skill, Passion, Imagination,
Respect, Inspiration and Time!
STEP-UP and
VOLUNTEER
Open House!
Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014
Come join us for our annual open house to learn more about all our
wonderful volunteer programs, including a brand new program for 2014!
Come find a new interest or rekindle an old one. There will be lots to learn and
fun to be had, so please bring yourself and a friend (or two) and join us at...
Step- Up and Volunteer!
Date: Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014
Time: 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Place: District Headquarters in the Board Room
We are pleased to announce the launch of
Observe Your Preserve
and invite you to become an “observer.”
OYP is a new website developed by the District to give
teachers, students and forest preserve fans a way to share
their observations, interact with District naturalists and
ecologists, and learn more about the plants, animals, and cultural resources in
DuPage County.
As a volunteer, you have a unique opportunity to share observations that many
other preserve visitors may never see on their own. By becoming an observer, you
will be able to post pictures and stories about your experiences.
We've put together a short video to help you understand how to use the site and
start learning about your local species. See more a dupageforest.org/observe.
Rest assured that your posts will be reviewed by staff before being published. We
are sensitive to the need to protect our natural and cultural resources and will
adhere to an editorial policy that will not divulge the location of sensitive resources.
You know better than anyone that winter is a great time to be out in the preserves.
One of the big advantages of winter is that trees are without leaves, making for
interesting sunsets. Reduced foliage makes it easier to find squirrel dreys and
abandoned bird’s nests from the previous spring and summer. Long winter walks
through the preserves might also reveal building remnants that tell a human story of
how the land was used before it was acquired for open space.
So get outside this winter and share what you see on Observe Your Preserve!
The Spirit
January-February 2014
Volume VII, Issue 1
Managing Editor
Laura A. Capizzano
Director, Office of
Human Resources
Editor & Layout
Samantha Rivera Miller
Copy Editors
Debbie Brooks
Chris Linnell
Mariette Siczewicz
Office of Public Affairs
Contributing Writers
Tasha Arvanitis
Debbie Brooks
Kate Garrett
Chris Gingrich
Jenny Kern
Kathryn Leatherwood
Chris Linnell
Samantha Rivera Miller
Emily Milleville
Jonathan Pelligrino
Rachel Reklau
Alicia Seghi
Published by the
Administrative Services
Department
Contact Information
Main Number:
(630) 933-7200
Volunteer Services Division:
(630) 933-7681
TTY: (800) 526-0857
Web site:
www.dupageforest.org
e-mail:
[email protected]
Addresses
Street:
3 S 580 Naperville Rd.
Wheaton, IL 60189
Mailing:
P.O. Box 5000
Wheaton, IL 60189
If you are interested in
receiving The Spirit , call:
(630) 933-7681
Ta b l e o f
Contents...
Chris’ Corner...........................................................page 2
• Good-Bye, Hello, Welcome!
Volunteer Researchers Wanted..............................page 3
•New Volunteer Program Announcement
•Wiilowbrook, St. James Farm, Trail Patrol and
Danada
• Save the Date & Parking Lot Reminder!
• Thank You
• The Holidays at Mayslake
• Tours Resume
• WOW
• Upcoming Events
• End of Season Party and Volunteer
• Milestone Recognition
• Upcoming Events
• Pictures Please and Thank You!
• Open Volunteer Monitoring Positions
•Amphibian & Bluebird Monitoring Program
Feedback Sessions
• Crystal, Abby and Grace Schroeder:
Domestic Arts Volunteers at Kline Creek Farm
Around the Forest Preserve...............................pages 4-5
Willowbrook Wildlife Center..............................page 6-7
• Itchy and Scratchy!
Fullersburg Woods..............................................page 8-9
•A Stargazing Primer!
St. James Farm.....................................................page 10
• Now Open Year Round
• Winter Warm-Up Party
Volunteer Ranger Experience...............................page 11
• Wonders of Winter
Mayslake Peabody Estate.....................................page 12
Trail Patrol............................................................page 13
Kline Creek Farm.............................................page 14-15 • Back in Time
Natural Resources............................................page 16-18
• Annual Native Seed Exchange
Volunteer Spotlight........................................page 19-20
Step-Up and Volunteer!
Observe Your Preserve.........................Front Inside cover
Upcoming Events and The Paul D. Pierotti
Memorial Scholarship..........................Back Inside cover
GOOD BYE, HELLO, WELCOME!
So it's time
to say goodbye to 2013
and greet
everyone
with a brilliant new
year 2014!
We hope you've had a wonderful holiday
season with family and friends and look forward to a year of new adventures! We at the
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
appreciate all your efforts and are delighted
to begin a new year!
We say good-bye to some of our staff who
have been amazing volunteer liaisons and
hello to some familiar faces.
Farewell to Jon Pellegrino, former
Volunteer Ranger Experience liaison who
has moved on to his role as ranger police
officer for the Forest Preserve District's Law
Enforcement department. Since 2011, Jon
has been instrumental in the development
of the full-time volunteer position for this
expanding program. We wish him luck and
hope to see him out in the field as he keeps
our preserves safe!
In the interim, former
liaison Dave "Smokey"
Sima will be assisting with
duties for West Division in
the VRE program. Smokey
is a senior ranger and has
been a devoted staff member at the District
for over 23 years, with an additional three
years as a seasonal at Waterfall Glen. When
asked why he's called "Smokey" he said,
"I have a Smokey Bear tattoo on my right
shoulder. It is directly under the Smokey
patch that is on my uniform dress shirt and
jacket. By the way, know which tattoo is
on my left shoulder? The Lorax because I
speak for the trees. As you can see, he's well
prepared for "Our Volunteers Shine!" when
he dons his super sunglasses.
2 Trail Patrol volunteers have said good bye
to former officer Jenni Guest who moved on
to the Bensenville Police Department. Jenni
was an officer with the Forest
Preserve District Law Enforcement
department for 6 years. She worked
with our volunteers on projects such as
the scheduling of Trail Patrol volunteers
through the Vic Net system and also the
expansion of the preserves where volunteers
could hike and bike.
Ranger police officer Kim
Eversole will be the new
volunteer liaison and was
introduced to the Trail Patrol
volunteers at the end-ofseason gathering. In March
2011, Kim joined the District's Law
Enforcement staff and graduated from the
Suburban Law Enforcement Academy that
year. She's currently on maternity leave
(good timing for our Trail Patrol volunteers)
and will rejoin the group in the spring.
Future volunteer Baby Ryker was born on
Nov. 11 at 8 lbs. 11oz.! In the meantime,
former liaison, officer Shelli Jandura, will
keep the communication flowing for all the
Trail Patrol volunteers in
the early part of the season.
Good bye to Jenni, hello to
Shelli, and welcome Kim!
Another newbie, Lea Katherine Hebreard,
daughter of senior ranger Dan, also made
an appearance on Dec. 2 at 7 lbs. 1 oz.!
We expect our newest volunteer to join the
Volunteer Ranger Experience assisting with
fishing, archery, kayaking
and all manner of exciting
activities...We’ll
just give her a minute!
Thanks to all our staff that support our volunteers! Thanks to you for everything you
do! Our Volunteers Shine!
Our future is bright thanks to
you!!!
Jan-Feb 2014
We’re Making History! Volunteer to dig in and
uncover some interesting facts about our preserves!
Volunteer Researchers Wanted!
By Chris Gingrich, Education Outreach Specialist
In 2015 the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County will be celebrating its
100th birthday, and we want to commemorate that milestone by highlighting the rich
history of the preserves and their role in the lives of the residents of DuPage County.
To do that we will need to uncover that history in the libraries, archives and personal
memories of those who have been part of the story of the forest preserves and that land
that became forest preserves. We have a lot of research to do, and to help with the
process we are creating a new volunteer researcher position.
There are currently history researchers working on specific preserves, such as
Mayslake and St. James Farm. Our new research team will be digging into the past of
the rest of the preserves and of the Forest Preserve District itself. We’ve already
uncovered some fascinating stories such as the Office of Strategic Services training
camp that operated at McDowell Grove during World War II and the history of the
Civilian Conservation Corps camps at two of our
preserves, and we’ve even obtained a copy of the
original petition that put the question of creating the
Forest Preserve District on the ballot in 1915.
If you are a stickler for details and accuracy
and enjoy the process of historical research and writing,
please consider joining our team of researchers. Much
of this work will be conducted independently although
we will meet as a team to share our findings on a regular
basis. There will also be opportunities to engage the public in events where we invite
them to share their photos and memories of the preserves. You may even have the
opportunity to conduct oral history interviews, write historical articles and present the
team’s findings in public presentations. Join us at the “Step Up and Volunteer Open
House” on Jan. 11, 9 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. at the District Headquarters building to find out
more. Volunteer interviews with Chris Gingrich, Education Outreach Specialist, will
take place in mid-January after the open house. Current volunteers do not need to fill
out a new volunteer application.
Contact Chris Gingrich to get more
information or to schedule a
volunteer interview.
[email protected] or
(630) 871-7537
The Spirit
3
Around
the Forest
Preserve
My Adventures at Willowbrook,
St. James Farm, Trail Patrol
and Danada
By Samantha Rivera Miller
In the last issue of The Spirit, I wrote about my time at Fullersburg with the summer
camp and my tour of Mayslake Peabody Estate. After exploring those sites, I was ready to
learn more! Next on my journey was a tour of Willowbrook. My second day on the job, I
received a panicked phone call from a woman who had abandoned ducklings in her yard
and needed to know where to take them. I had no idea what she was talking about! I asked
to put her on hold and then quickly asked around to see where on earth she would take
ducklings!
I have learned a lot since then and have since transferred many calls to
Willowbrook. After seeing the facility, all the puzzle pieces fell into place, and I no longer
panic over duckling questions! I was fascinated by the facility and admire the staff and
volunteers who work together there. I admit, I might not be able to handle being in the
kitchen when the meals are prepared. That was just a quick stop on my tour, though, and
we quickly moved past it onto different things.
The new duckling day cage was a favorite stop for me, but I was also impressed by
the raptor rehabilitation cage. I walked in just in time to see a hawk completing one of his
laps and quickly flying past me. I had never thought about the fact that having a doughnutshaped area for birds to fly in is much better for their rehabilitation than flying back and
forth. I enjoyed visiting all the residents at Willowbrook but was a bit partial to the flying
squirrel and foxes.
I was able to meet the volunteers at Willowbrook at their picnic on July 31. On my
tour I wasn’t able to meet many volunteers, so this was a great opportunity for me to get to
know more people. Once again, I did spend a good portion of time behind a camera, but I
did surface for food and good conversation. We were lucky to avoid the downpour that was
predicted by the weatherman until the picnic was over, so we could play games of bags and
volleyball.
It was wonderful watching all the Willowbrook volunteers and staff members
socialize, and I enjoyed hearing the volunteers’ stories. I also talked to some of the parents
of the volunteers in the junior programs and was thrilled to hear how happy they were with
the program and that their kids had a place to volunteer that they enjoyed. I left the picnic
with the sense that great things were happening at Willowbrook, both for the animals and
the people.
At this point you may be wondering how many programs there are. The answer
is 10, but I only have three more to share with you! Next stop - St. James Farm. Like
Mayslake, I had been to St. James Farm as a volunteer with my former company, Clarke.
Last September Clarke had a workday with all of their Illinois employees, and we covered
St. James Farm from the Groom’s Cottage to the river doing projects. This year on July 23,
Clarke came back to St. James Farm, except I was on the other side on the volunteer
experience!
4 Jan-Feb 2014
They brought more people and extended past the Groom’s Cottage all the way
to Mack Road. I had no idea how much work went into a workday of that size, and I
was running around all morning helping people move from one project to the next. The
St. James Farm volunteers were extremely helpful in guiding the almost 200 Clarke
volunteers from place to place. That day the Chevy Tahoe became my best friend as I
trucked around the farm jumping in and out at different project sites. It was amazing to
see all the work that was accomplished at St. James Farm not only by Clarke folks but
also by all the other workdays they had this summer! After a busy day at the farm, I was able to spend my next night with Trail
Patrol. While I haven’t yet had the chance to shadow an actual Trail Patrol shift, (I’m
happy to go if there are any takers willing to have me along!) I was able to attend a
Trail Patrol meeting and meet some of the volunteers. Due to the nature of Trail Patrol,
I had already had conversations with many members and was excited to put some faces
to the names. I did a brief introduction of myself and then they moved on to a
discussion about safety on the trails. They had two police officers come as guest
speakers. I had originally intended to stay for a bit and then head home but was so
interested in the discussion that I ended up staying until the end. I’m glad I did, too,
because I was able to meet some more volunteers at the end of the meeting.
Last but not least, I managed to make the very long and difficult journey across
the street to Danada. How this was the last site I visited, I’m not quite sure, but I did
manage to get there! Having always loved horses but never getting to spend much
time with them, I was thrilled to see Danada. I started off at the modular office where I
met Doc, the skeleton that is proudly displayed there. We then moved on to the stables
where the summer camp was busy learning about the horses and playing hide and seek.
There I met Jefferson and Crystal along with Bernie, the barn cat. At the time of day I
visited, most of the horses were out in the pasture. While standing in the barn next to
Crystal, the painting horse, I began to rearrange my schedule in my head for ways to
allow time for me to volunteer there, another to add to my list!
What I found to be the most prevailing theme in my trips around the forest
preserve is that I am so impressed by the programs, staff and volunteers that I want
to volunteer everywhere! So much so that I am honestly having a hard time narrowing down which program would be the best fit for my schedule and the needs of the
District. I’m sure I will figure out a plan in the near future but for now, I have enjoyed
seeing the sites and meeting all the volunteers that make these programs such a success.
I had a very busy and
eventful summer and fall settling in
with the District, and I’m excited to
be here working with such a great
group of people. I look forward to
seeing all those I met again and to
meeting everyone else. Thank you
to everyone for their kind words
and welcoming smiles. I am thrilled
to be here!
The Spirit
5
Itchy & Scratchy
How to prevent the spread of Mange
by Alicia Seghi
What is mange? It is a pesky parasite mite that burrows
in its hosts skin. In the wild and in captivity animals can transmit mange by
being directly exposed through contact with an infected animal and through the
environment where an infected animal has traveled or been housed. The mites
can stay alive without a host for days. After an animal has transmitted mange the
mites start to burrow and breed. The burrowing causes symptoms and a
downward spiral of health in the animal.
•
Scratching causes wounds that can lead to secondary skin infections
•
Hair loss exposes the animal to cold or freezing weather conditions
•
Crusting increases, in some cases, causing the eyes to crust over which impairs vision
•
The animal becomes weak and unable to hunt for food
•
Loss of weight ultimately leads to death
The good news is mange is treatable with a few doses of medication and a clean environment.
As most of you have seen we do have issues
with mange from time to time. Certain periods of the
year mange is more common. The winter is one of
those times. There are ways to help prevent the spread
of mange to our other patients and to you. Yes, humans
can get mange too. If we all follow these few simple
rules we can help many animals prevent the pain these
mites cause. When cleaning a cage labeled mange
always leave that cage to be cleaned last. This will help
prevent transfer of mites to the healthy animals. Wear
rubber gloves while cleaning the cages, handling their
dirty towels and while cleaning their dishes. Wash your
hands thoroughly after cleaning. Make sure the
enclosures are cleaned thoroughly, cleanliness cuts
down on the spread dramatically! Make sure in the
rehab cages that straw gets changed out daily. Following these rules will help keep our critters healthier and
less itchy!
6 Jan-Feb 2014
Save the Date
for Willowbrook’s Annual Night Owl Ball
On March 15, 2014 Willowbrook will
be hosting our annual fundraiser “The
Night Owl Ball” at the Naperville/
Lisle Hilton on Warrenville Road.
From 6-11 p.m. we’ll be enjoying
drinks, music, dancing and live and
silent auctions. Tickets are $75 and
include an open-bar cocktail hour,
three-course dinner and
entertainment.
If you would like to buy a ticket or have a unique item or experience to donate,
please see one of Willowbrook’s front desk employees. All proceeds from this
special event go towards helping us make improvements to Willowbrook that
will benefit our wildlife patients and permanent residents.
We hope to see you there!
Important Reminder
Regarding Parking!
Please, don’t forget that while
Willowbrook is under construction, all volunteers are asked to
park across the street in the
St. James the Apostle parking lot.
If you have extenuating circumstances causing you to need a
closer parking spot, please give
your supervisor a heads up that
your car will be in the lot. All
other spots are reserved for visiting families and animal rescuers.
Thanks for your patience!
The Spirit
7
A Stargazing Primer
Written by Fullersburg Woods Volunteer
Tasha Arvanitis
As winter approaches, cold days and colder nights are upon us. One
of the greatest things afforded by winter (apart from sledding and hot
chocolate, of course) is that the longer nights provide ample
opportunity for stargazing. Add to that the reduced humidity brought
by the colder months, and you have a recipe for delightful time spent
under the stars.
A wide variety of celestial objects will be visible in the next few months, from familiar
constellations like Orion and Gemini, to everyone’s favorite bear/dipper, Ursa Major, to at
least three planets making their own appearances.
Before you choose to go stargazing, you will likely want to check the phase of the Moon.
A full moon can make stargazing very difficult, while a new moon leaves the sky nice
and dark, making it easier to see the dimmer celestial objects. For the next few months
(January through March 2014), the new moon is right around the beginning of the month.
You can also look up the current phase of the moon on the Internet or on most standard
calendars.
When you go stargazing, the first thing you want to do is get your bearings. Which way
is north? Where are stars rising and setting soon? To do this, you have a few options:
you can rely on your sense of direction or the gridlines of nearby streets, you can bring a
compass, or you can look to the skies for the answer.
One of the most famous constellations, Ursa Major (also known as the Big Dipper) is a
great way to find Polaris, the North Star. Look for the Big Dipper, a set of particularly
bright stars. Using the “pointer” stars at the end of the bowl of the Big Dipper (with the
Dipper in an upright position), follow an imaginary line about five times the distance
between the pointers and you will easily find Polaris and, with it, your bearing north.
Polaris, is part of Ursa Minor, a dimmer constellation that is hard to see without
particularly good viewing conditions. The North Star (also called the Pole Star) is the
point in the night sky around which all the stars rotate. Since celestial bodies (like the Sun
and Moon) rise in the east and set in the west, other stars appear to rotate counterclockwise around the Pole Star, rising on your right and setting on your left as you face north.
Did you know that Polaris isn’t actually a single star, but is actually five stars all orbiting
around each other? The one that we see best is the supergiant of the bunch, and it also
turns out to be the closest Cepheid variable to Earth, which makes it incredibly important
to astrophysicists trying to determine distances to faraway stars and galaxies.
Contrary to some people’s beliefs, Polaris is not the brightest star in the heavens. That
honor goes to Sirius, the Dog Star in the constellation Orion, the Hunter, which graces the
night skies of winter.
8
Jan-Feb 2014
One of the next things you might want to find is the ecliptic, which is the path through
the sky taken by objects in our solar system, like the Sun, the Moon, and planets. As
a general rule, this arcs from east to west slightly on the south side of the sky (this is
because we’re in the Northern hemisphere). If you note where the sun is at a few times
throughout the day, you’ll know where the ecliptic is.
It’s convenient to have a general idea of where this path is, as it is where planets will
appear. In particular, by early March, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars will all be visible shortly
after sunset – Saturn rising around an hour after sunset, and Jupiter setting shortly thereafter. Planets are pretty snazzy–if you get the chance to look at them through a lowamplification telescope, you can see features like Jupiter’s moons and Saturn’s rings
with very little difficulty.
Other favorite constellations that will be visible in the next few months include Orion,
which is visible in the west in the early evening, Gemini, above and to the left of Orion,
and Virgo in the east.
If you’re interested in learning more about the night skies, consider free tools
available online like Stellarium, which will show you exactly where stars, planets, and
other interesting celestial bodies are at any time in the past or future (or now!).
Stellarium also has a night-viewing option so that you can bring your computer outside
to stargaze with you without blinding yourself.
Figure 1: The Big Dipper (upper right) and Cassiopeia (also known as the giant ‘W’) in
the lower left, along with Polaris highlighted in the center. Polaris marks almost exactly
north, so it’s handy for orienting yourself.
Or, you can simply reach out to naturalist Dave Andrusyk or to fellow volunteers like
me. Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to plan a Volunteer Star Hike just so we can explore
all of this greatness together! So bundle up and bring your family or friends out for a bit
of sky-watching. There’s all sorts of interesting stuff up above our heads, we just need to
look for it.
The Spirit
9
St. James Farm is now
open year round!
You’re invited to bundle up and
visit St. James Farm this winter.
Uncover this winter wonderland
that few have seen. Take a walk,
ride your horse or take a run!
St. James Farm is open one hour
after sunrise until one hour after
sunset. Enjoy!
Oh,Yes…It’s time for the
St. James Farm Volunteer
Winter Warm-Up Party!
When: Friday, Feb.7, 2014
Time: 6:30 p.m. - ?
Where: Danada House, 3S501 Naperville Rd. in Wheaton
Who: Active St. James Farm volunteers and their spouses or significant others
are invited for an evening of camaraderie and fun!
Details: Pizza and beverages will
be provided. We ask that each
volunteer bring a delicious appetizer, salad or dessert to share.
Last name A-F, bring an appetizer
Last name G-L, bring a salad/side dish
Last name M-Z, bring a dessert
Please RSVP to Wayne by Monday February 3,
[email protected]
A special thank you to the St. James Farm volunteers for
always stepping up!
We’re looking forward to 2014!
10
Jan-Feb 2014
Wonders of Winter
2014
Winter it seems has reclaimed the area and once again has returned in its
annual cycle, leaving many feeling the “cabin fever” that always seems
to accompany it. Freezing temperatures and howling wind can test even
the bravest of those intent on exploring the outdoors. But winter, like all
seasons, is a unique and vastly different experience from other times
of the year.
In celebration of the unique outdoor activities that winter lends itself to,
the Forest Preserve District will be holding its annual “Wonders of
Winter” event on Saturday, Feb.1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be
both indoor and outdoor activities planned on this day at Mayslake
Forest Preserve. Participants can learn the basics of ice fishing - ice
permitting- make s’mores over an open fire, take a horse-drawn wagon
ride, experience geo-caching , and much more. If the winter weather
starts to get the best of you, head into Mayslake Hall where you can warm
up with some hot chocolate and participate in crafts, games, and
educational displays and exhibits.
“Wonders of Winter” admission and parking are free. Mayslake Forest
Preserve is located at 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook, one-quarter mile
west of Route 83. For more information, call (630) 933-7248.
The Spirit
11
The Holidays at Mayslake
MAYSLAKE
Nothing says “bring on the holidays!” like a little
shopping, and that’s just what we did at Mayslake at
our Annual Holiday Market! More than 25 artisan
vendors displayed their wares and provided guests with a wide variety of unique gifts
for their friends and family. Thank you to all who volunteered their time to help make
everything run smoothly and to help spread good cheer!
Peabody Estate
Thank you once again to Acappellago and the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus for bringing
the sounds of the holidays into Mayslake Hall, once again kicking off the season with
traditions old and new.
Tours Resume, Jan. 18
Escape the winter doldrums and take a trip back in time with an historic tour led by one
of our knowledgeable and entertaining volunteer docents. They will be back to work
Saturday, Jan. 18 as we resume our public tours after our short winter hiatus. Visit us on
Wednesdays at 11a.m. and 12:30 p.m. or Saturdays at 9:30, 10, 11 and 11:30 a.m.
WOW, Feb. 1
Come out of hibernation & get bundled up! Come see what the Forest Preserve District
has to offer in the winter months. On Saturday, February 1st, Mayslake will be hosting
the annual Wonders Of Winter event. Archery, ice fishing, horse drawn hay rides, geocaching and more! If you are interested in volunteering during this fun, frosty event, call
our East Sector Rangers at 630-792-2100.
Events Calendar
Teen Open Studio – Mondays, Jan. 13 - March 17
Watercolor Class – Tuesdays, Jan. 14 - Feb. 18
Intro to Relief Printmaking – Tuesdays, Jan. 14 - Feb. 18
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra
with First Folio Theatre – Jan. 8
Mayslake Watercolor Class Exhibit – Jan. 21 - March 1
First Folio Theater: Rough Crossing – Jan. 29 - March 2
Wonders of Winter – Saturday, Feb. 1
Adult Studio Painting – Mondays, Feb. 10 - March 31
Introduction to Drawing – Mondays, Feb. 17 – March 24
Call (630) 206-9566 for details on these or other upcoming
programs and events.
12
Jan-Feb 2014
End of Season Party
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Trail Patrol gathered
together at the Danada House to celebrate
another fantastic year! We enjoyed food, treats and
laughs and took some time to recognize Trail Patrol
volunteer milestones.
That night we honored the following
volunteers for their service:
Ray Tutton - 10 Years
Sigrid Conroy - 5 Years
Judi Kramer - 5 Years
Scott Kramer - 5 Years
Stephanie Lyons - 5 Years
Ray Tutton receives a Forest
Preserve District of DuPage
County all-weather blanket in
honor of his 10 years of service.
Trail Patrol volunteers present
former liaison Jennifer Guest
with a 5-year appreciation
award.
Thank you to all our volunteers! We appreciate your hard work and
dedication and look forward to a wonderful new year. Cheers to 2014!
The Spirit
13
Back in Time
An Essay by Volunteer Jenny Kern
The following essay was
written by Jenny
Kern, a Domestic volunteer
at Kline Creek Farm, to include with her
college applications. We love the way she
ties her experience on the farm to
developing practical life skills and goals
for her future. Kline Creek Farm has
been lucky to benefit both from Jenny’s
skill at communicating with a diverse audience and her commitment to serving her
community. We know she is going on to
do amazing things for others and we can’t
wait to hear all about it!
~ Katherine Garrett
Sweat drips down my neck as the sootcovered stove behind me roars and
crackles with the power of fire. The air
in the small summer kitchen is thick with
the oppressive July heat, but the delicious
aroma of sweet hand-picked, hand-pitted
cherries blanketed in a homemade crust
is enough to make my mouth water.
Suddenly, the antique clock on the shelf
begins to chime. It tolls out eleven times,
and is my cue to escape the kitchen and
ring the bell, announcing the start of a
tour back in time.
I began volunteering at a living history
museum called Kline Creek Farm during
the summer before my sophomore year in
high school. Kline Creek Farm is a branch
of the DuPage Forest Preserve where
guests can come and learn about history
through interpretation by volunteers that
wear historic clothing and demonstrate
how farm life was in the late 1800s. My
interest in working at the farm began
with attending a week-long camp there
when I was young, followed by several
additional visits with my family. On one
of our family visits, I discovered that I
14 was old enough to volunteer. From that
moment on, I was determined to pursue
my interest in Kline Creek Farm. After an
interview with the staff at the farm and
completing several hours of training, I
became an official Domestic Arts
Demonstrator.
*** The guests flock around the entrance
to the kitchen, and I introduce myself:
“Hi, my name is Jenny, and I will be
taking you on a tour of our historic 1890s
farmhouse. Everything that you see us
doing on the farm today is exactly how it
was done over one hundred and twenty
years ago.” Today there are about twenty
children on a field trip with their chaperones, along with several other families,
including a few grandparents with their
grandchildren. I introduce them to the
farm before I lead everyone inside the first
room on the tour, the summer kitchen.
Everyone “oohs” and “ahhs” as the smell
of the pie hits their noses. I take the time
to ask if any of the children ever help out
with cooking at home, and a few children
raise their hands. “Sometimes my mom
lets me stir the ingredients,” one young
boy exclaims. All of the kids are baffled
when I explain the extent of responsibilities that farm children were given at such
a young age. I slip into my routine as I
lead the group from room to room, asking
questions to keep the children and adults
involved, giving them opportunities to
learn about a time that many would never
be exposed to otherwise. ***
Jan-Feb 2014
Throughout the years, I have noticed
that although we live in a different world
today than we did a hundred years ago,
we are not as detached from that world as
I once thought. Working at Kline Creek
Farm has allowed me to learn more about
history and put my own life in
perspective. It has taught me life lessons
like managing my time, presenting in
front of large groups, and how to engage
kids to earn their respect and, therefore,
their interest. My ability to speak and
present in front of guests at the farm has
also inspired me to help others and give
them a voice in the world. As a Speech
Language Pathologist, I will use all of
these skills in order to effectively meet
the needs of my clients. I always put my
heart and soul into the work that I do,
and when I make a commitment, I honor
it. That is why I return to the farm for
four hours every other Saturday morning.
Each time I volunteer, I find more ways
to connect with the visitors, to inspire
them, and to show to them that, although
the world is an ever-changing
environment, in the end, the simple
aspects of life are what define us and
ultimately what make us human.
Calendar of Events
January 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
“Sit and Stitch”
January 23, 25, 26 and 30 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
“Ice Harvest”
February is lambing month!
We will need more Ag volunteers on call than usual to take care of new lambs and expectant ewes.
February 7 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
“Sit and Stitch”
February 8, 15 and 22 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Taffy parties for small groups
The Spirit
15
Fungi Monitoring
Program Launched
In spring 2013, high school biology teacher, Fullersburg Woods Nature Center
volunteer and amateur mycologist Crystal McAllister proposed starting a fungi
monitoring program at the District. The pilot program’s goals were to increase the
District’s knowledge of fungal diversity within our preserves while educating adults
about fungi. Prior to the pilot program, the District had only 50 species recorded in all of
its preserves, with most preserves having only a few fungi species on record.
Fungi are important components of ecosystems as decomposers and symbiotic
partners to many plants and trees. Edible mushrooms are particularly susceptible to
illegal collection in forest preserves and other public lands. This concern played a role in
opening program participation to only active volunteers.
Over a dozen volunteers completed the training in August, when the pilot
program was launched. Overseen primarily by Crystal, the program asked monitors to
visit their assigned sites at least five times between August and November. Many
mushrooms are extremely difficult to identify without uprooting a specimen and
examining certain features under a microscope. Monitors took lots of pictures, which
were submitted to Crystal with their data sheets in November. Over 100 species may
be added to our preserve lists; many of the trickier identifications must be verified first.
Verified observations will be added to the District’s ecological database.
At a November year-end review, many volunteer monitors expressed
enthusiasm about the program, saying they learned a lot about fungi. Crystal and the
District decided to continue the fungi monitoring program next year starting in April.
More information about the program requirements and training session will be sent out
in March.
Gem studded puffball found by fungi monitor
during pilot program (photo courtesy of
Veta Bonnewell)
16
Jack O’Lantern fungi found by Trail Patrol and NRM
volunteer (photo courtesy of Neal Conroy.)
Jan-Feb 2014
Annual Native
Seed Exchange
On Nov. 16, several Stewards
gathered to clean, weight and
exchange seed that was collected
throughout the growing season from
various natural areas. Over 50 species
were tallied and will be redistributed
back into active volunteer restoration
sites on future workdays. A potluck
buffet was enjoyed afterward, where
conversation ensued about progress
on Steward sites, invasive species to
watch out for and future management
needs.
Pictures, Please!
Please send us your pictures of you
and your fellow Natural Resources
buddies in action for the 2014
volunteer banquet video. Email
images, 175 to 300 dpi and no more
than two or three at a time, to Cindy
Hedges at chedges@dupageforest.
org, or send Cindy a CD by the end of
March. Thank you!
JoAnn Monge and Scott Fontaine
Joe Suchecki and Conrad Fialkowski
Marlene Rosecrans and Bruce Blake
Invaluable Volunteer Monitors:
Thank you for being the eyes and ears of the District! Please contact Cindy
Hedges if you’ll be returning to monitor this coming season: (630) 876-5929 or
[email protected].
The Spirit
17
Volunteer Monitoring Open Positions
Join our legion of dedicated volunteer monitors! More information about each program can be
found at www.dupageforest.com/GetInvolved/Volunteer/Natural_Resource_Management.html
Bird Monitor – Help provide important data about breeding birds and populations trends.
Knowledge of bird call identification required. Once per week for six weeks, June – July.
Openings: Particularly in northern part of the county: Fischer Woods, Pratt’s Wayne, and Timber
Ridge.
Bluebird Monitor – Help increase nesting success opportunities for bluebirds. Collect bluebird
box nesting data to help District ecologists determine nesting success rates, trends and box
preferences. Once per week from April - August. Potential Openings: Blackwell, Greene Valley,
McDowell Grove, and James “Pate” Philip SP.
Frog Monitor – Help provide more detailed information about amphibians' use of forest preserves' natural areas by listening for calling frogs. Every two weeks, late March – July.
Openings: Fullersburg Woods, Fischer Woods, Herrick Lake, Lyman Woods, Mayslake, and
Pratt’s Wayne.
Butterfly Monitor - Help ecologists gain knowledge about the health of butterfly populations.
Training available, as most new volunteers only know a few common species. Every two weeks,
June – August. Openings: Blackwell, Meacham Grove, Herrick Lake, James “Pate” Philip SP,
Mayslake, Pratt’s Wayne, Springbrook Prairie, and Willowbrook.
Dragonfly Monitor – Help ecologists gain knowledge about the health of dragonfly and
damselfly species. Training available, as most new volunteers only know a few common
species. Every two weeks, May – September. Openings: Herrick Lake, James “Pate” Philip SP,
Lyman Woods, Pratt’s Wayne, Waterfall Glen, and Willowbrook.
Fungi Monitor – Learn about and monitor fungi populations. Experienced volunteers only.
Once per month, April – November.
Rare Plant Monitor – Help monitor the health of and threats to rare plant populations. Experienced NRM volunteers only. Throughout growing season, depending on species monitoring.
Protect Your Waters – Help protect your waterways by picking up litter, monitoring for
invasive zebra mussels and educating preserve users on preventing the spread of invasive
species. Both boating and shoreline volunteers welcome! Once per month, May – October.
Amphibian and Bluebird Monitoring Program
Feedback Sessions
We’ll discuss the data you’ve collected and the future of each program. You can attend all of the
sessions, or drop in for whatever parts you’d like. This will also be a chance for returning
monitors to pick up forms, equipment or any needed materials.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014
Bluebird feedback session: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Pizza lunch: 12 – 1 p.m. (all welcome!)
Frog feedback session: 1 – 3 p.m.
Where: Grounds & Resources Complex, Blackwell Forest Preserve, 29W220 Mack Rd. in West
Chicago.
Register with Volunteer Services at (630) 933-7681 by February 3.
18
Jan-Feb 2014
Spotlight on Crystal, Abby and Grace Schroeder,
Domestic Arts Volunteers at Kline Creek Farm
Crystal will always cherish the times when she
and her daughters walk or skip down the lane at Kline
Creek Farm arm-in-arm, dressed in period clothing
listening to the birds, noticing the leaves changing
colors and soaking up nature. A skip or walk down the
lane is like time traveling - this happy trio steps back in
time whenever they volunteer at Kline Creek Farm.
Mother Crystal and daughters Abby, 15, and
Grace, 11, had visited Kline Creek Farm for many
years and enjoyed seeing the animals, taking house tours, and watching the staff
and volunteers do their farm chores. After learning about the volunteer program
during one of their visits, the Schroeder girls decided to put in their applications to
volunteer at Kline Creek Farm. With her busy schedule as a mother of four, Crystal
relished this time to focus on the girls and a common
interest: life on a farm.
The Schroeder family loves to read and
especially enjoyed the “Little House on the Prairie”
series. The girls often played dress up as pioneer girls,
so Kline Creek Farm was a perfect fit. “It’s a special
place, and we love volunteering there together,” says
Crystal. They began volunteering in the Family
Program in February 2012 and have enjoyed every minute. “Kate Garrett is a wonderful teacher, and we have learned a lot about farm life from her and the staff.”
If you’ve never been to Kline Creek Farm in West
Chicago, be sure to visit soon. You’ll find a livinghistory farm depicting life as it was on this site in 1890s
DuPage County. There are original structures, authentic
re-creations, livestock, and historically accurate
activities that staff and volunteers demonstrate.
Holidays are always a special time at the farm,
with many period activities for visitors to enjoy. Crystal and the girls enjoy
talking with visitors, teaching them games and letting them experience year-round
life in the 1890s. At the Fourth of July celebration Abby and Grace arranged a
very special recitation of “Glorious Fourth” for visitors.
Abby, who used to be a little shy, now likes to talk
with visitors on the house tours and especially enjoys
cooking on the cookstove and explaining life in the 1890s.
The Spirit 19
“We feed the fire with corn cobs and wood so it
always stays warm,” she says. “Sometimes the simple
ways of doing things make more sense. The biscuits
stay warm in the warming oven, and the flavor of the
food we cook seems to taste better.” Abby also likes to
read, quilt and play guitar.
“My whole life I have been longing for a farm,”
Grace wrote in a school essay. Whenever she was asked what she wanted for a
present, she would always say she wanted a farm. Last year on her birthday she
was at the Kline Creek Farm volunteer training session learning about the
volunteer chores that she would be doing. That was a
great birthday present!
“I love the feeling of the jostling wagon, the
warmness of freshly laid eggs and the cozy feeling of
the toasty stove on a cold day,” Grace says. She enjoys
knitting, reading, baking and assisting Dave with the
animals. “We go and collect eggs from the
henhouse, and we feed the animals twice a day.” She
has a T-shirt that boldly states “FARM FAN,” and last year she even brought her
lunches to school in a lunch bucket free from modern plastics. “Farm life is the life
for me! I hope to be volunteering here forever or at least until I get my own farm.”
The Schroeders have a dream to live on a farm
someday. As the holidays approach, the family often
gets catalogs from agencies looking for people to purchase chickens or goats for families who need help in
other countries. “We pick out a few things to buy on our
farm wish list and wish these people well.”
Crystal, who loves history, cherishes these
moments with her girls and especially loves to see a
new visitor discover Kline Creek Farm. “It’s
wonderful to be a part of that discovery and have
history come alive for them.”
As their day on the farm
comes to an end and chores are
done, they head out to “play”
1890s-style without televisions, radios, cell phones or the
electronic distractions of today. They may wade in the creek,
take a hay ride, make a snowman, knit, make a corn husk
doll or read. Crystal says, “Volunteering at Kline Creek Farm
slows us down as we put aside life in 2013 for life in the
1890s. We’re thankful for this experience.”
20
Jan-Feb 2014
Upcoming Events and Announcements
Our Volunteers
SHINE!
It’s going to be a bright sunshiny day, especially on Thursday, May 1, 2014, when
we hope to see all of your bright shining faces at our Annual Volunteer Recognition
Banquet at the Abbington. All active volunteers with 10 or more hours recorded
in Volgistics will receive an invitation in the mail. So get ready for some beachthemed fun and showing off your summer finest. The days may be gray and cloudy
but inside we’ll be walking on sunshine!
We are also gathering pictures for the banquet video, so please send us your favorite
shots of volunteers in action. Please email them to [email protected].
The Paul D. Pierotti Memorial Scholarship
fund was established in 2006 by the Forest
Preserve District of DuPage County President
D. “Dewey” Pierotti Jr. and his wife, Leslie,
in memory of their late son Paul. “This is a
fitting tribute to Paul,” said Mr. Pierotti. “He
had a great love of the outdoors, especially for
the forest preserves of DuPage County. This
scholarship will enable deserving students with
similar interests to pursue an education related
to nature.”
Applicants wishing to be considered for this
scholarship must possess a 3.0 cumulative
G.P.A., provide an outline of their participation
in extracurricular activities, and write a
350-word essay on an environmental topic
determined by the selection committee.
For more information regarding the
scholarship, please contact DuPage
Community Foundation ASAP at
(630) 665-5556.
THE PAUL D. PIEROTTI
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The application
deadline for the Paul
D. Pierotti Memorial
Scholarship is
Jan. 31, 2014
As a District volunteer, you and your children
are eligible for these generous awards, which
are aimed at college students pursuing studies
in environmental fields.
In 2013, two scholarships were awarded for
$1,000, and two were awarded for $2,000,
so don’t miss your chance to pursue this
wonderful opportunity.
IMPORTANT REMINDER REGARDING
SCHOLARSHIP REFERENCES
The process of obtaining references can be very lengthy. Please make sure to allow
plenty of time when requesting a reference.
Photo by Denube via Flickr
Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
P.O. BOX 5000
Wheaton, IL 60189-5000
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Carol Stream, IL
Permit No. 96