Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSFP)—February 16, 2015. Spring is on its way – why not come out and hike through Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve and stop in and visit the nature center?
Join us for our Make a Gourd Birdhouse Workshop on Sunday, March 1 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and create a welcoming nesting space for wrens and other cavity nesters in your own backyard. Artist Pat Moore will help you create a birdhouse from a dried gourd, and once spring arrives, you can watch the wrens find their way to your birdhouse. The workshop is for all ages and children under age 6 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $10 per birdhouse, limit one per person. All materials will be provided. For more information or to register by Friday, February 27, please contact Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest at 708-747-6320 or [email protected].
“Chili Evening Hike” will be held Thursday, March 5, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Let’s listen, and adjust our eyes, ears and even our walking styles to catch a glimpse of the active life of the nocturnal woods! Learn which of our winter residents are night prowlers as we join a winter scavenger hunt. After our chilly stroll, warm up with a mug of homemade Thorn Creek chili; choose among hearth-cozy, midnight wake-up call and barn-burner intensities.
A fun evening for the hot-blooded and intrepid, this program is for all ages. Fee is $5 and registration is required by Wednesday, March 3. Come dressed for the weather. Participants should be able to walk a mile outdoors on natural surface trails across uneven and possibly snow-covered terrain.
Shake the winter blahs and come help in the annual Spring Clean Up Day, Sunday, March 15, noon to 4 p.m. There will be indoor and outdoor work to be done in preparation for the spring season. Bring a lunch and gloves and dress for the weather. Refreshments provided. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult, and registration is required for a group of 6 people or more.
As spring begins come celebrate the woods with music at Thorn Creek’s Woods Music songfest, Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m. With the generous donation of the musicians’ time and expertise all proceeds will benefit Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve. Woods Music tickets are on sale now! Cost is $10. Program is for those older than 12 years. Seating is limited and it is recommended that you purchase your tickets in advance.
Shed off winter and enjoy a march into the woods to look for signs of springtime on “March into Spring” hike on Sunday, March 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. We’ll search for vernal indicators like early wildflowers re-sprouting, tree buds unfurling, returning migrant birds or animals emerging from hibernation, choruses of frogs and tender green shoots peeking through last year’s dead leaves. This program will be off trail for a portion of the hike. The trail may be muddy or icy; sturdy boots are recommended. Registration is required by Friday, March 27, and the program is free for all ages.
Nestled at the beginning of a three and half mile trail system that meanders through Thorn Creek Nature Preserve, the nature center resides in a small white wooden church building built in the1860’s and houses several displays for both adults and children. Top your day off by exploring Thorn Creek Nature Center which offers a bird viewing window, children’s science corner, displays for children and adults, and our Eugene Schwartz Memorial Library packed with books on local history and nature! Stop in and learn about mammals, Illinois fossils, insects, birds and much more! Visit our tracks exhibit to help you figure out the owner of the footprints in the mud.
At nearly 1000 acres, Thorn Creek Nature Preserve is home to majestic oaks, hickory trees, white-tailed deer, owls, woodpeckers and much more. Trails are quite muddy this time of year and the woods are still cool, so be sure to dress for the weather and wear boots.
For more information or to register, please contact Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest at 708-747-6320 or [email protected]. The nature center is open Friday-Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. and trails are open daily, dawn to dusk.
Source: www.tcwoods.org
