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Community Science Workshop at Mąą Pįį/Hess House Center
It is time to get outside, turn your nature observations into science, and see the wonder in the world.
Would you like to get involved recording your observations and submitting them to scientists, and want to learn more?
JDCF invites you to the Mąą Pįį Preserve and the historic Hess House for a day of nerdy naturalist fun led by JDCF Staff and volunteers! Stay for the whole day or pick what you would like to learn about. This JDCF property is only open for events and programs so come and enjoy learning and exploring with us in this very special place. Details here: Community Science Workshop Schedule.
Due to limited space for the ‘how-to use community science apps’ from 1:00-3:00pm, we ask that you register for the workshop here: https://docs.google.com/forms/
10:00-11:30am: Bluebird box care and monitoring – what to expect in caretaking a Bluebird box
11:30am-12:00pm: How-to use Cornell’s NestWatch app – get your nest box observations into the hands of scientists
12:00-1:00pm: Explore break (bring a picnic lunch) – spend time at Mąą Pįį Preserve hiking and making observations
1:00-3:00pm: How-to use the most popular community science apps and why they are a benefit to you and the community. We will meet and review inside the Hess House going over real examples, then use the skills learned with a discovery walk. We will show examples on iPhone. Android users will have similar navigation on the apps. The principles will be the same on both operating systems.
Tours beyond the house and grounds are not planned at this time. The Apple River State Bank/First Community Bank of Galena is a proud sponsor of this event.
Frog Walk on the Galena River Trail
One of the first signs of spring is the sound of frogs waking up and calling. Join JDCF staff at the Meeker Street Footbridge in downtown Galena for our annual, family-friendly frog walk. We will head down the Galena River Trail towards Buehler Reserve, giving everyone a chance to find and catch the frogs themselves! Will it be a spring peeper or a leopard frog? JDCF staff will help you identify what you find, and have some tadpoles on hand to view the frog life cycle in progress. Subject to weather-related cancellation. Check back here updates. The Apple River State Bank/First Community Bank of Galena is a proud sponsor of this catch and release event.
Spring Wildflower Walk
Join us for a walk in the woods and prairies at the Rutherford Refuge Nature Preserve to discover early spring ephemerals in bloom. Free and RSVPs not needed.
This event is proudly sponsored by the Apple River State Bank/First Community Bank of Galena.
Weird & Wonderful Insects with The Field Museum
You are invited to join Chicago Field Museum insect educators and scientists to see their amazing collections of local and non-local insects. There will also be insect displays collected by local entomologists on hand for viewing.
Learn how to use a sweep net to see what weird and wonderful insects you can find in the early summer prairie. Stay after the sun goes down to see and learn about the moths and other winged bugs of the night that are drawn to a special lighted viewing sheet. Take away knowledge and wonder of the strange but beautiful biodiversity that calls northwest Illinois home. Free and RSVPs not required. This event is subject to weather related cancellations. Check back here for updates.
The Apple River State Bank/First Community Bank of Galena is a proud sponsor of this event.
Meteors on the Mound
JDCF invites everyone to Meteors on the Mound for a glimpse of the Perseid meteor shower from atop Horseshoe Mound Preserve, which is one of the highest points in Jo Daviess County and offers spectacular views of the tristate area from several different outlooks. This is the only time of the year that the preserve is open to the public after dark so it is a special occasion. Suggested donation of $10/person or $25/family. RSVP’s are not required.
There will be family-friendly activities for people of all ages as well a presentation by an expert astronomer. Amateur astronomers will have telescopes onsite so that participants can view various heavenly bodies. If you have a telescope, please bring it along. This program is weather dependent so if it is raining please check back here. The Apple River State Bank/First Community Bank of Galena is a proud sponsor of this event.
Miraculous Monarch Migration
Join JDCF staff and volunteers are we explore the prairie to catch and tag monarch butterflies who are beginning their fall migration back to Mexico. This event will give people of all ages the chance to become one of thousands of volunteers across North America who monitor the health and dynamics of monarch butterfly populations. You will also learn about the unique life history of monarch butterflies, the threats that are facing them, and how you can help this endangered species thrive. Free and RSVPs not needed. Subject to weather cancellations. Check back here for updates.
The Apple River State Bank/First Community Bank of Galena is a proud sponsor of this event.
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