ORANGEVILLE — Join Northwest Illinois Audubon Society at the Jane Addams Land Foundation Butterfly Farm in Orangeville.
Spend the day catching monarch butterflies and learning about the banding process that is used to track the monarch butterfly population. Ruth Little has been banding butterflies for many years and will share stories about the monarch butterflies and share information about how the banding data is used. Philip and Ann Swalve who reside at the Butterfly Farm will talk about the plants that attract butterflies to the 83-acre farm.
Visitors can bring a net, or one can be provided.
The Butterfly Farm is located at 10405 N. Bellview Road in Orangeville with parking along the driveway available. Alternatively, visitors can ride their bike up the Jane Addams trail until they see the sign along the trail pointing to the Butterfly Farm. This program is offered at no cost and is open to the public. If weather is questionable, call or text Teresa at 815-238-3963.
Accessible Tree Identification
Co-hosted by the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society and the Northwest Illinois Forestry Association, in Partnership with RAMP. Held from 8-10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27 at Oakdale Nature Preserve, 4433 S Cranes Grove Rd, Freeport.
Meet at the new parking lot/picnic shelter at Oakdale Register with Juliet Moderow at 201-233-0946. Event is limited to 15 participants. Inspired by Birdability.org, NIAS and NIFA are committed to ensuring that the outdoors are welcoming, inclusive, and safe to everyone.
Ken Beach, NIFA President, will be leading the group on a beginning tree identification outing using the 1/3-mile hard-packed accessible trail at Oakdale Nature Preserve. Ken will share tree characteristics to help participants identify the many different tree species in our area. Audubon members will help identify birds as well, and the public is welcome.
Accessible parking, benches, and bathrooms are available at the preserve. There will be signage with “Audubon Event” for directions. For any questions about the preserve and/or accommodation requests, call the number above or email nwilaudubon@gmail.com. RAMP Center for Independent Living is a nonprofit organization that assists individuals with all types of disabilities, regardless of age, to control and direct their own lives. For more information visit: nifatrees.org/ and rampcil.org/.
Northwest Illinois Audubon Society annual banquet set for Sept. 6
The Northwest Illinois Audubon Society’s 39th annual banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. at Highland Community College in Freeport. This year’s program will feature Augustana College professor, Dr. Stephen Hager.
Science, Spirit and Stories is the title for the banquet which will feature stories and amazing photography from the natural world including a story about a tree called “Survivor Sycamore” and teachings of the Tufted Titmouse.
The banquet offers a feast of pasture-raised turkey, locally grown sweet corn and the full complement of items that go with a turkey dinner including a selection of homemade desserts. Vegetable lasagna will also be offered as an entrée option. The cost for the banquet is $30 for adults. Kids under 12 can attend the banquet and program at no cost. Registrations for the banquet must be received by August 26.
The banquet includes a silent auction of nature related items at 5:30 p.m. with the meal served at 6 p.m., and the program starting at 7:30 p.m.
Visitors can attend just the program without the meal for $3 per adult with students admitted at no cost. Preregistration is not required for the program only but is required for the meal. For further details or a registration form visit www.nwilaudubon.org or call or text Teresa at 815-238-3963.
