Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—April 6, 2014. Earth Day at Thorn Creek this year celebrates soil on Saturday, April 26 from noon to 4 p.m. What is soil anyway? Soil is more than just dirt, and it is always forming. More is known about stars millions of miles away than the soil right here under our feet. Creatures of all kinds live in and help form the soils under our feet. Come discover all about soils at Earth Underfoot.
Is soil dirt? Join us for a presentation at 1 p.m. to find out what makes up soil and how soil is formed here in Illinois.
At 2 p.m. join naturalist April Richards and Jon Mendelson on a hike to understand the story told by the layers of soil here in Thorn Creek Woods. Your guides will help you see the land formations in the preserve. And you’ll take soil samples to discover what the different soil types look and feel like.
Come and view life sized dioramas from The Field Museum depicting life underground. These special displays are rare snapshots of life down in the earth. See cicadas, moles, burrowing crayfish and burying beetles. View scenes of soils beneath forests, meadows and wetlands. Find out about the insects and earthworms that populate the soil.
See maps of Thorn Creek’s soils and landforms and soil profiles. Touch and feel different soils.
Refresh yourself with a Soil Sundae that you build yourself. See how it is a reflection of the living organism soil.
There will be lots of fun for everyone including Soils Sundae refreshments, activities, crafts, displays, a hike and the start of our Spring Raffle.
Thorn Creek is known for remarkable raffles. This year features themed baskets, suncatchers fashioned by one of our volunteers, a signed numbered print of Marikay Peter Witlock’s “Prairie Chapel”, three “almost new” bicycles and more. Raffle chances are $1 and 6 for $5. Raffle tickets are available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays noon to 4 p.m.at the nature center. The Spring Raffle items will be awarded at our Picnic at Thorn Creek Woods Fundraiser on Saturday May 10.
The Earth Day program is free and open to all ages. Registration is not required. Please watch for parking signs. For more information, contact Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest, at 708-747-6320 or [email protected]. Visit our new website www.tcwoods.org. The nature center is open Friday-Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. and trails are open daily, dawn to dusk.
Source: Thorn Creek Nature Center
