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Who’s Making Tracks in Our Woods?  Kids and families will enjoy story time, sensory play time and outdoor nature exploration in this free program recommended for ages 4-7. Siblings are welcome!

Growing Up WILD™ is an early childhood education program that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. fun, innovative activities and experiences.

Free Event!
Space is Limited. Registration is Required!Please reserve your space below!

• This is a family event and an adult must stay with the children
• This program is both indoors and outdoors, so please dress appropriately.
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Register Below

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If this land could talk it would tell you about the people that cared for it, revered it, cried for it, dreamed of it, and shaped it over the millennia. The people of Ke-Chunk, a large Ho-Chunk village, tended crops in the rich soil. When they left in 1832, a fur trader built a small cabin for his two Native American wives and children to live in. Then settlers moved in, taming the land, including Irish migrant railroad workers who created a settlement here they called “Illinoy”.  Later, an orphan lad left his home overlooking Turtle Creek to join the Army where he made the ultimate sacrifice through his heroic actions in battle.  General Pershing later called him one of the greatest heroes of World War I.  

Yes, if this land could talk, it would tell you about those who loved and cared for it, and those who, unfortunately, did not.  Nature At The Confluence’s Executive Director, Therese Oldenburg will tell you about the fascinating history of this land and the people who lived here, and she’ll also share with you how she unearthed “dirty” family ties to it. You’ll also learn about how we’re making our own mark on this land by bringing it back to life, one shovel full at a time. Donations are appreciated so we can continue our work on restoring the land. 

Free Event. Registration is limited to 40 people. Please register below to secure your spot.

About The “Time Traveler” Discovery Series – If this land could talk it would tell you about the people that cared for it, revered it, cried for it, dreamed of it, and shaped it over the millennia.  The Time Traveler Discovery Series will explore the fascinating history of this land and the people who lived or worked near the confluence of Turtle Creek and the Rock River over the centuries. Learn more here

Register Now to Secure Your Spot!

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Prescribed Burn Training

Sunday, March 29, 2020
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cost:  $60 (Includes the 155 page Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Manual)
Preregistration is required

PLEASE REGISTER and pay by March 29, 2019 on Call 815/964-6666, or send your name, address, affiliation (if any) to Natural Land Institute, 320 S. Third St., Rockford, IL 61104..

Register with Natural Land Institute at this link

Natural Land Institute’s Director of Stewardship, Zach Grycan, and Melissa Grycan, Restoration Ecologist for The Land Conservancy of McHenry County, will lead a Prescribed Burn Training Workshop for anyone interested in learning how to manage their own land and volunteering for NLI land stewardship or for other conservation organizations. Learn how to conduct a prescribed burn and tips on best practices from both who are experienced prescribed burn managers. The workshop will be based on Chicago Wilderness’ Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Crew Member Training Manual.

Indoor Classroom Instruction: 9:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.
(Nature at the Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit, IL)

Topics to be covered will include:
• Discussion of fire behavior and suppression
• Effective use of hand and power tools
• Effective use of water to aid fire suppression
• Conducting a prescribed burn
• Ecological effects of fire

LUNCH: 12:00 p.m.—1:00 p.m. (On Own)

Conduct a Prescribed Burn: 1:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.
Participants will receive hands-on learning when they assist with a prescribed burn (weather permitting) of the prairie at NLI’s Foss Farm, about 7 miles away on Rockton Rd.

COST: $60
(Includes the 155 page Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Manual)