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InsideVolunteer News Contents2011 Volunteer Recognition .............................6Volunteern Want Ads ..........................................7Volunteer Calendar .......................................... 8-9

Secret Worlds ......................................................2Burnt Bridges .......................................................3What’s Happenin’ ............................................. 4-5Spring Valley General Information ...................10

In this issue... Secret worlds and hidden treasures beneath our feet are the focus of this issue of the Natural Enquirer. Spring Valley’s volunteers are recognized for the treasure of their time given, a vole’s hidden plunder lies under the winter snow, and the secrets of our historic connection to Native American sites are revealed. As we begin the new year of 2012, it’s the beginning of an electronic-only era for the Natural Enquirer. Remember the past, enjoy the present, and look forward to the future that awaits us all. Happy New Year, one and all!

Natural EnquirerNewsle t te r fo r Spr ing Va l l ey Suppor te rs and Vo lun tee rs vo l . 3 no .1 • J a n . /Fe b . ‘ 1 2

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While crunching across the snow and ice covering a grassy meadow on a cold winter day, we may sense that all of nature is in a deep slumber. Those hardy yet hardly numerous birds that eschew migration and tough

out our winters are huddling around the bird feeders or sheltering in the deep woods. No other animal seems to be active and abroad on these short cold winter days; however, as our boots break through the icy crust on the snow’s surface and sink into the fluffy powder beneath, we enter a secret Lilliputian world bustling with activity. Although we cannot see this world and will likely plod on through the snow completely unaware of it, all of those wild creatures that hunt to stay alive know it well, for their survival during winter depends on it. It is a world inhabited by meadow voles—the most abundant mammal in almost any grassy field.

of very effective insula-tion from the cold, as well as some protection from predators. Meadow voles travel these tun-nels regularly, feeding on the plentiful seeds that have dropped to the ground and nibbling on the green tips of plants

protruding from the soil. In fact, voles do not follow the diurnal cycle of night and day the way we and other larger creatures do.

Their day (and night) is broken up into numerous periods of activity, each fol-lowed by a period of rest. They maintain a small ball-shaped grassy nest in which to rest and raise their young.Like all small rodents, meadow voles are quite prolific. With a gestation period of 20–23 days, and average litter sizes of 4–5 young, they are able to main-tain large populations and can quickly recover after any population decline. Females as young as three weeks may even begin to breed and bear young. If food is plentiful and snow cover provides sufficient insulation, they will continue to breed during the winter, as well. This fecundity not only allows them to with-stand intense pres-sure from predators, but actually makes them an ideal food source. To borrow a descriptive phrase

from Mark Spreyer, a local naturalist, they are “nature’s popcorn,” since nearly everyone eats them. They comprise as much as 85% of the diet of many hawks and owls, and coyotes, foxes, snakes, and feral cats also eat them extensively.When native prairie grasslands burn, as they historically did on a regular basis and still do when being managed, the secret world of voles is exposed and in some respects destroyed. Prairie burns at Spring Valley are usually conducted in such a way that one side is left un-burned as an escape route for wildlife. Voles, and the occasional cottontail rabbit, are often seen running across paths into unburned areas. After the fire passes, the network of tunnels can be easily seen randomly crisscrossing the blackened ground. While it is obvious that these areas have been made tem-porarily uninhabitable for meadow voles, the vigorous new growth that results from the fire pays dividends to voles and many other creatures in the long term. The voles quickly re-inhabit these areas a few weeks after the burn.A new awareness of this secret world may give you pause during your next snowshoe outing or tromp across the wild winter landscape. While your thun-dering footfalls may indeed be crashing down on the highways and byways of meadow voles, they are quite adaptable little creatures and will simply make re-

pairs or alter the route after you have passed. It would be a sign of inter-species respect, though to consider that as the voles stick to established routes when traversing their world, we should be considerate and do the same.

Secret Worlds by Dave Brooks

Meadow voles re-semble mice, except they have smaller ears and shorter tails. They are of-ten referred to as field mice, although their close cousins and neigh-bors, white-footed mice, more properly deserve that nickname. Voles live in almost every type of terrestrial environment on earth, and they are always abundant. They may even outnumber human beings, one of the earth’s other adaptable and populous creatures. The meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) is the most common species in the Midwest and eastern United States, although there are other less common species to be found here as well. In order to imagine the number of voles in any grassy field, visually divide the field into 25 x 25 foot squares, the average territory size for each female. Add in maybe half as many males, who wander amongst these loosely defended patches of grass, and you have a picture of how plentiful voles are.Voles, and most rodents, do not hiber-nate during winter. Given their small size (3½–5 inches in length) and the fact that seeds and plant parts make up most of their diet, voles can easily remain active during all but the severest winter weath-er. Hidden and protected by the blanket of matted grasses and other vegetation, they maintain an extensive system of tunnels and runways. A snowfall of 3–4 inches or more adds an additional layer

Eastern Meadow Vole

Entrances to Vole Tunnels in Grass

White Footed Mouse

Vole Tunnels in Snow

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For many of us, the story of this land begins at Jamestown or Plymouth. This is quite understandable, since we have historic old buildings, hoary cramped graveyards, and even venerated trees that all harken back to this seminal time. Further supporting this mindset, whole communities such as Williamsburg have been recreated; events such as Thanks-giving revisited annually; and battles such as Yorktown re-enacted. This land, however, has been home to people for thousands of years going back to the time when the Ice Age gripped the planet. Where are their monuments, cemeteries, and homes? Since their land is now ours, their history is also ours. Sadly, the evidence of these people has been systematically erased in the past; lamentably, this continues to occur to this day.Mayhem began when the pilgrims reached these shores. Arriving late with winter approaching and short on sup-plies, they soon resorted to looting the stores of food that the Indians had stashed away for their own use. Going one step further, they opened Indi-an graves that often contained household goods, clothing, and food offerings. As time went by, the looting was spurred by the lure of monetary gain. Because of the scarcity of coinage at the time, Indian beads or Wampum were used as a substitute. It became the legal tender in all the original 13 colonies. The Indian custom of bedecking their departed in wampum proved to be an ill-fated impe-tus for this nefarious activity.As the colonies grew, Indian lands were picked off in piece-meal fashion, prompt-ing one Shawnee to observe, “The white man is a monster who is always hun-gry and what he eats is land.” Colonist towns were often located on the same sites as Indian villages because of their choice location and because Indian garden plots were adjacent and ready to usurp. With independence achieved, new states were carved out of Indian land, initially as land grants for veter-ans in lieu of pay. As settlers flooded into the Ohio valley, they found a land dotted with earthen mounds and other

often serpentine earthworks dubbed effigy mounds. An eyewitness described them as “resembling enormous hay-stacks scattered through a meadow.” Some, like Cahokia Mound in Illinois, were colossal in size—100 feet high and covering 16 acres. There were 10,000 in the Ohio valley alone. The mound area extended roughly from the Appalachians to the Mississippi and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.

The mounds were built by the ances-tors of the very Indians the set-tlers were push-ing further and further west. Most

mounds were burial sites spanning hundreds of years. Others were the sites of temple mounds surrounded by ceremonial plazas. Unable to be-lieve the mounds were built by native labor, they were ascribed by the think-ers of the day to be the work of Vikings, Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, or even the lost tribes of Israel. To farmers, they were simply something to plow level. To treasure-hunters, they were irresist-ible targets to be torn apart in search of imaginary riches. Known as “pothunt-ers”, they found such a willing market for purloined figurines, bowls, and broaches that their “profession” became multi-

generational. To many, the bones that kept turning up presented a dilemma as to their proper handling. In 1847, the manager of a gravel pit in Northfield, Illi-nois, ordered the standard solution. The collected bones of countless Indians his workers had encountered were piled up and cremated.As towns grew into cities, no mound was safe from destruction. They were regarded as convenient piles of dirt that, in the name of progress, provided landfill for expansion. St. Louis, once regarded as “mound city”, carted off its last tumu-lus in 1869. Railroads were particularly hard on these ancient structures, as they connected cities with arrow straight lines, never veering to avoid destruction.

Golf courses were the most benign, often incorporating the sinuous hills and knob-by knolls into their design to compete with sand traps and bunkers in testing the ingenuity of golfers.This destruction of our Indian heritage continues to this day as urban sprawl spills into the countryside. A site in Nashville, Tennes-

see, was demolished to build a Walmart Supercenter on Charlotte Pike in the late 1990s. In Fenton Missouri, two mounds built between 600 and 1400 A.D. were leveled in 2001 for another Wal-Mart. In 2009, the city of Oxford, Alabama, backed away from leveling a mound af-ter an outpouring of protest. The mound material was to be used as landfill for the construction of a Sam’s Club. It is this kind of protest and awareness that must be present to preserve what we still have for the future.

Burnt Bridges by Walter Plinske

Cahokia Mound

Mound Destruction

Pothunters

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Click on program/icon for information and to register online.**To register online you must have a current SPD account with assigned PIN number. To create a new account, visit the

registration desk at the CRC and verify residency. Non-residents may call Spring Valley to set up an account.

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Home School Naturalist Group ProgramsSpring Valley Nature Center and Heritage Farm is the perfect place for hands-on, exploration based science programs. Offerings change seasonally, so check the program guide regularly.

Winter 2012 topics:• Geology – Travel through the rock cycle, identify rocks and minerals, and start your own rock collection.

• Winter Birds – Discover which birds stay for the win-ter and how they adapt to survive the cold.

• Snow and Ice – Take a closer look at the science behind snow and ice through experiments and obser-vations.

Available every winter: Conservation in Action, Woodlands, Owls: Predators of the Night, Winter Ecology, Farms and Food, Nighttime Nature

For more information or to schedule a program, call 847-985-2100.

ADULTBeer BrewingSaturday, Feb. 11 • 12:00-3:00PQuench your thirst for knowledge and learn the age old art of beer brewing in the process.

Bread MakingSunday, Jan. 22 • 1:00-4:30PCome to the Heritage Farm, read historic reci-pes and bake in the old wood burning stove.

Canning for BeginnersSunday, Feb. 19 • 1:00-4:00PLearn about canning from its early development in the 19th century to today.

Cheese MakingSunday, March 25 • 12:30-4:30PLearn the history of cheese while making both hard and soft varieties

Nature’s Night Life - ADULTS ONLY!Friday, Jan. 6 • 7:00-9:00PFriday, March 30 • 7:00-9:00PStart your weekend with a relaxing and enlightening evening walk at Spring Valley.

Noodles, Dumplings and Spaetzle, Oh My!Sunday, Feb. 26 • 12:30-4:00PLearn how to prepare and boil these popular ‘comfort foods’ in the historic farmhouse kitchen.

Perk Up! Coffee 101Sunday, March 4 • 1:00-3:00PBored with the cold, dull winter days? Perk up and come to Heritage Farm to learn about and taste different coffees!

Sweet Eats and TreatsSunday, Feb. 12 • 1:00-4:00PWant to make something sweet? You will learn the techniques of candy making.

Valentine Yoga and ChocolateFriday, Feb. 10 • 7:00-8:30PCelebrate Valentine’s Day with a lovely session of yoga in the Merkle Cabin.

ALL AGESFree - Heaven’s WatchJan. 14 • 8-10P .................PleiadesThere is no Heaven’s Watch in Feb.Join Chicago Astronomical Society as they set their telescopes for a peek at the night skies.

Teacher’s Workshop: Reading the Winter LandscapeSaturday, Jan. 21 & Feb. 4, 8:30A-4:30PLearn what makes winter so important to the plants and animals living in Chicago Wilderness.$140 (National-Louis or Aurora University graduate credit available. CPS Lane credit or 15 CPDUs available)

Additional workshops are being developed. For up-to-date information, visit www.parkfun.com/Spring-Valley/programs.

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TEENSMammal Study Merit Badge WorkshopSaturday, Jan. 28 • 10:00A-3:00PCalling all Boy Scouts! Join certified badge counselors and spend the day searching for and learning about Illinois mammals.

Science & Nature ExplorersWed., Jan. 11 & Feb. 8 • 2:15-4:15PMiddle school students will explore our planet through this program.

YOUTHDolls, Dolls, DollsSunday, March 11 • 1:00-3:30PExperience how girls in former years used their imagination to make dolls out of things around them.

Farmer Boot CampMon.-Fri., March 26-30 • 2:30-4:30PGet down and dirty as you help feed and care for the Heritage Farm animals!

Hot Cocoa and Cookies at the FarmhouseSunday, Jan. 29 • 12:30-3:00PLearn how to make this delightful treat from scratch with all natural ingredients!

Ice Cold ExperimentsSaturday, Feb. 11 • 10:00A-12:00PYou’ll have a fun time on a cold winter day with a thermometer, frozen plants, a block of ice, bur-rows, trees, snow and tracks.

Spring Valley Spring Break CampMon.-Fri., March 26-30 • 10:00A-2:00PCampers will make crafts, play games and learn about the animals at Spring Valley.

FAMILYThe following programs have a special family rate. By registering ONE child, it is assumed that a minimum of two people (one adult and child) or a maximum of four people are attending. Do NOT register additional people, they may pay on the day of the program.

Cooking Like a SettlerSaturday, Feb. 25 • 10:00A-12:00PBring your family to the Merkle Cabin to make cornbread, butter and applesauce the way the settlers in Illinois may have.

Family Rock HoundsSunday, Jan. 22 • 1:00-3:00PCome to the Nature Center to explore rocks, rock games, rock songs and the rock cycle.

Night Time Family HikeFriday, Jan. 27 • 7:00-9:00PExplore Spring Valley on a cold winter night looking for signs of animals.

Snowshoe RambleSaturday, Feb. 18 • 1:00-2:30PParticipants will strap on snowshoes and ex-plore Spring Valley off the trail.

Sundown Supper in the Sugar BushSaturday, March 3 • 4:00-6:00PHelp tap some maple trees, gather sap and tend the boil down. Then enjoy a pancake ‘supper’ at the cabin with real maple syrup.

Snowshoe Rentals Available: Beginning Dec. 1Experience the beauty of the winter landscape in a new way! The following rental policies apply:• There must be at least 4 inches of snow on the ground before rentals will be made available.• First-time renters will be asked to view a short video on the proper way to use snowshoes prior to taking them out.• A rental application and liability waiver must be filled out at the Nature Center Visitor Center.• A driver’s license or some other form of ID is required as deposit.• Rental rate is $4 for a maximum of 3 hours for use at Spring Valley.• Rentals are available on a first-come, first-serve basis from 9AM until 3PM. All rentals must be returned by 4:30PM.• Special youth group rates are available after 3PM on weekdays. Call to inquire. No youth groups on weekends.• To take snowshoes off site, a deposit of $50 is required. The cost is $10 per day.Call 847/985-2100 for more information.

Who Goes There?Sunday, Jan. 8 • 12:00-4:00PTracks have an interesting tale to tell. Dive into the language of tracks through games and activities.

Lincoln, Logs and LoreSunday, Feb. 12 • 12:00-4:00PLearn Lincoln and Lincoln Log lore, and have fun exploring the life of Lincoln on his birthday.

Sundays at the Cabin

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Volunteer NewsSpring Valley Volunteer Recognition for 2011

Saturday, December 10 was the date of our Volunteer Holiday Celebration and Recognition event. We were delighted that so many volunteers could join us for the evening’s festivities. Activities included the chance to socialize with fellow volunteers, the toasting of wassail, the pleasure of delectable food, and of course, the recognition of our fantastic volunteers. Spring Valley volunteers, along with the help of local church, corporate, school, and scout groups, contributed 14,786 hours in 2011. It’s wonderful to see such strong community support. Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time and talent to Spring Valley. We simply could not get everything done without you! As is traditionally done this time of year, we would like to specifically recognize people for their accomplishments over the past year.

First 25 hours of service:Carol Anagnostopoulos

Kaitlyn BallDan GrecoDan GryzikJudy LeonMary Matz

Kiyomi MinoClaire Short

Elizabeth TatomTammy TerwelpAustin Tipper

Amanda VanderzeeJoe Vito

Tom Walsh

50 to 99 Hours:Bill Bailey

George BaileyKaitlyn BallEvan Barr

Joy BertoneBill Bidlo

Leon BlumJerry Brandes

Deanna BrucknerPat CampbellTony CoonrodChristine Curin

Hilary EllisVenus Gintowt

Rich GrossRick Jeske

Arlene KrizkaKaren KusekCharlie Loh

Melina LynchMike Lynch

Nancy LyonsNancy Mamsen

Kiyomi MinoBarb Muehlhausen

Patty OchsSharon OgorzalekKristi Overgaard

Tom PopekMert RutledgeDiane Shore

Elizabeth TatomJohn Tatom

Laurie TatomCarol ThomasBill Tucknott

Jean TucknottAmanda Vanderzee

Amy VitoJoan Vodraska

Ellie Vogel

100 to 199 Hours:Gail Ameer

Carol AnagnostopoulosDuane Bolin

Dean BrucknerEve CarterRay Deibert

Barb DochtermanAmanda GrecoArthur Jeczala

Donna JohnsonSusan LaDore

Jay LaskiMary MatzSandy MeoJanet Neally

Donna TurnerAngela WaidanzCarolyn White

200 to 299 Hours:Victor Franks, Jr.

Roger NelsonKen Ogorzalek

Dick RuffoloJohn Witkowski

300 to 399 Hours:Chuck HenryBarb Mitchell

400 to 499 Hours:Tony Meo

500 to 599 Hours:Lynn Eikenbary

800+ Hours:Pete Gigous

Two Years:Gail AmeerEvan BarrBill Bidlo

Audrey BillhymerRobin ClarkDan Greco

Jennifer GrecoRon Haskell

Pat HeibergerCindy Holmberg

Dave KreinJudy Leon

Kristi OvergaardTom PopekDiane ShoreLaurie Tatom

Joe VitoAngela Waidanz

John WitkowskiBob Wodka

Five Years:Jean Havlir

Sandee LovisaNancy MamsenJames McGee

Patty OchsTom PoklenLeo SalaisJim SearsMatt Skiba

Ten Years:Carol CelliniArlene KrizkaNancy Lyons

Elsie MagnussenAmy Vito

Fifteen Years:Bill Bailey

George BaileySue Champaign

Nancy FiloArthur JeczalaTed Knutsen

Twenty Years:Dean Bruckner

Deanna Bruckner

Note: If you are due an award and haven’t yet received it, please stop by the Nature Center by February 1 so we can personally present it to you.Thank you.

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Dates to Remember• Mon., Jan. 9 ....................1-4pm

Handy Crafters Meeting• Wed., Jan. 25 ..................9:30am-Noon

Mighty Acorns Meeting• Sat., Jan. 28....................9am-1pm

Conservation Workday• Wed., Feb. 1 ...................6:30-9pm

Volunteer Meeting• Fri., Feb. 10 ....................9am-Noon

Conservation Workday• Mon., Feb. 13..................1-4pm

Handy Crafters Meeting• Sat., Feb. 18 ...................9am-2pm

Burn Training• Sat., Feb. 25 ...................8-10am

Animal Care Meeting• Sat., Feb. 25 ...................8am-Noon

New Farm Interpreter Training• Sat., Feb. 25 ...................9am-1pm

Conservation Workday• Tue., Feb. 28 ..................6-8pm

Animal Care Meeting• Sat., March 3 ..................8am-Noon

New Farm Interpreter Training

Volunteer News

Pats on the back to the following volunteers...• Gail Ameer, Leon Blum, Eve Carter, Lynn Eikenbary, Leo

Salais, and Eileen Skiba for representing Spring Valley at the Green Economy Action Roadshow Northwest held at Roosevelt University.

• Gail Ameer, Deanna Bruckner, Dennis and Rosemary Colbert, Barb Dochterman, Lynn Eikenbary, Barb Mitchell, and Eileen Skiba for decorating the Farm, the Cabin, and the Nature Center in preparation for Christmas in the Valley and the holidays.

• Joy Bertone, Audrey Billhymer, Leon Blum, Ray Deibert, Amanda Greco, Ron Haskell, Chuck Henry, Rick Jeske, Janet and Al Kraus, Susan LaDore, Jay Laski, Mary Matz, Janet Neally, Roger Nelson, Donna Nicolaisen, Patty Ochs, Kristi Overgaard, Tina Rokoszewski, Barb and Bob Royce, Dick Ruffolo, Mert Rutledge, Donna Turner, Amy Vito and John Witkowski for their continuing weekly animal care assistance at Volkening Heritage Farm.

• Bill Bailey, George Bailey, Pat Campbell, Christine Curin, Victor Franks, Pete Gigous, Arthur Jeczala, and Ken Ogorzalek who help with a variety of support activities on a regular basis.

Welcome New Volunteers…• Andrew Awdziejczyk • Kathy DeGeus • Jim Peterson

February 2 Donna Nicolaisen 5 Dan Brunelli 8 Ray Deibert 9 Arthur Jeczala Steve Larson 10 Sandy Meo 11 Tom Popek Scott Walsh 14 Leo Salais Audrey Billhymer

16 Mike Gear Bob Winter 17 Dave Krein 23 Roger Nelson 24 Carolyn Bowden 25 Dean Bruckner 27 Janet Neally Rich Gross

Happy Birthday to…January 5 Jim Sears 9 Claire Short 11 Barb Dochterman 12 Marilyn Dvoratchek 21 Arlene Krizka 23 Eileen Skiba

24 Norina Waugh Pat Floreani 27 Kaitlyn Ball 28 Dan Greco 30 Ann Scacco

Volunteer Want AdsIf you are interested in helping with any of the following activities, please call Judy at 847/985-2100 or e-mail her at juvito@parkfun.com.

New Interpretive Volunteer Training at Volkening Heritage FarmFeb. 25 and March 3 • 8am-NoonTraining for all NEW farm interpreters will take place on TWO Saturdays. The first Saturday will cover the house interpretation and the functions of domestic life in the 1880s. New trainees will learn domestic skills by creating a simple dinner on the wood burning stove. The second Saturday will consist of general rules of interpretation and learning about the Heritage Farm, how it functions, and the role of the animals on the farm. Please be sure to dress appropriately for the weather and wear clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Please plan to attend both training. If there are any conflicts with these dates please contact Patricia Kennedy, Heritage Farm Program Coordinator, or Judy Vito, Volunteer Coordinator as soon as possible. Please RSVP for the training by Friday, February 17.

Prescribed Burn TrainingSaturday, Feb. 18Learn the philosophy behind controlled burns and why we use this important management tool at Spring Valley. Volunteers who attend the training will then be eligible to assist with the prescribed burns we do in spring and fall. Training is scheduled from 9am-2pm in the Nature Center classroom.

Conservation WorkdayJan. 28, Feb. 10 and Feb. 25

Put on your grubby clothes, dress for the weather, and help us at our upcoming workdays. The

two Saturday workdays run from 9am to 1pm and the Friday workday runs from 9am-Noon.

Sunday WednesdayMonday Tuesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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JANuARy 2012

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29 30 31Farm Closed

Cabin Closed

Bold indicates volunteer activitiesItalics indicates programs which may be taken as complimentary by volunteersSee “What’s Happening” for program descriptions

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•Nature’s Night Life 7pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

Heaven’s Watch 8pm

Who Goes There? Noon Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm •Science and Nature Explorers 2:15pm

Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•Night Time Family Hike 7pm

Conservation Workday 9am•Mammal Study Merit Badge 10am

•Family Rock Hounds 1pm•Bread Making 1pm

Mighty Acorns Meeting 9:30am

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

•Hot Cocoa and Cookies at the Farmhouse 12:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

New Year’s Day

WednesdaySunday Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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FEBRuARy 2012

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Farm Closed

Cabin Closed

Bold indicates volunteer activitiesItalics indicates programs which may be taken as complimentary by volunteersSee “What’s Happening” for program descriptions

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

Volunteer Meeting 6:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

Conservation Workday 9am

•Valentine Yoga and Chocolate 7pm

•Ice Cold Experiments 10am•Beer Brewing Noon

•Science and Nature Explorers 2:15pm

Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

Prescribed Burn Training 9am•Snowshoe Ramble 1pm

Lincoln Logs and Lore Noon•Sweet Eats and Treats 1pm

Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

Animal Care Meeting 8amNew Farm Interpreter Training 8amConservation Workday 9am•Cooking Like a Settler 10am

•Canning for Beginners 1pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

•Noodles, Dumplings and Spaetzle, Oh My! 12:30pm

Animal Care Meeting 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

Presidents’ Day

Valentine’s Day

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SCHAUMBURG PARK DISTRICT WEBSITE: www.parkfun.com

E-MAIL: springvalley@parkfun.com

MEMBER:

Vera Meineke Nature CenterThe earth-sheltered visitor center provides an introduction to Spring Val-ley’s 135 acres of restored prairies, woodlands and wetlands and three miles of trails. The center contains natural history exhibits that change seasonally, a demonstration Backyard for Wildlife, an observation tower, classrooms, an extensive library, gift sales area and restrooms.

Volkening Heritage FarmStep back into the past for a look at Schaumburg as it was in the 1880s – a rural German farm community. Help with seasonal farm chores, participate in family activities and games of the 1880s, or simply visit the livestock and soak in the quiet. Authentically dressed interpreters will welcome and share activities with visitors throughout the site.

Spring Valley is a refuge of 135 acres of fields, forests, marshes and streams with over three miles of handicapped-accessible trails, a museum featuring natural history displays and information, and an 1880s living-history farm. Spring Valley is open to the general public. Admission is free.

Vera Meineke Nature Center

Volkening Heritage Farm

Schaumburg Rd.

Plum

Gro

ve R

d.

135 acres

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Environmental Outreach ProgramWe’ll bring our outreach program to your site. Topics include forests, worms, spiders, mammals, owls, food chains, food webs, wetlands, and the water cycle. Students will participate in hands-on activities, songs, and games. Topics may be adapted to students in grades one through six, and are correlated with Illinois State Standards.

Programs at Spring ValleySchool, Scout and adult groups are encouraged to take ad-vantage of Spring Valley’s Environmental Education Program. Programs change seasonally and are geared for specific age groups. Correlations to the state standards and activity sheets are available on the SPD website, www.parkfun.com.Learn local history with a visit to the Heritage Farm. Elementary and high school students recreate farm life in the 1880s with Hands on History; second graders experience it through Heritage Quest. Children from the age of four through second grade will learn about food, farmers, and farm animals in Farms and Foods.

Scout BadgesWe offer many opportunities for scouts. Our programs will help with your badge, pin or patch requirements. Call for more information or stop in for a brochure.

SCHAUMBURG PARK DISTRICTBOARD OF COMMISSIONERS:Mike DanielsSharon DiMariaDavid JohnsonGeorge LongmeyerBob Schmidt

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:Jean Schlinkmann

SPRING VALLEY MISSION STATEMENT:Spring Valley’s mission is to educate area residents regarding the natural and cultural history of the Schaumburg area and how people have and continue to interact with and upon the landscape.

Spring Valley • Schaumburg Park District • 1111 East Schaumburg Road • Schaumburg, Illinois 60194 • 847/985-2100

NATURAL ENqUIRER STAFF:Mary RiceEditorJudy VitoVolunteer CoordinatorLuetta Coonrod“In this Issue...”Scott StomporGraphic Artist

Spring Valley Birthday PartiesLooking for a unique, fun, and educational venue for your child’s birthday? Spring Valley is the answer! Two party themes are avail-able. A hayride can be added for an extra fee. Call Spring Valley for more information.

Spring Valley Firepit and Shelter RentalsMake your next scout group, business or family gathering something special! Spring Valley offers the use of a picnic shelter and fire pit in a wooded setting near the Merkle Log Cabin. Use of the site includes firewood, trash/recycling receptacles and benches, as well as picnic tables. No alcohol or amplified music permitted. Restrooms are available at the Heritage Farm or Nature Center, a 5–10 minute walk. The adjacent Merkle Log Cabin contains a restroom and may be rented for additional fees.

Hourly use fees:Residents: .............$25 Civic groups: ..............................$25Non-residents: ......$40 Corporate/business groups: ......$55

HOURSNature Center Grounds & Trails ..............Open Daily ..............8AM-5PMVolkening Heritage Farm Grounds .........Closed .....................Dec.1-March 1

NATURE CENTER/MUSEUM HOURS:Year Round ............Daily* ......... 9AM-5PM

FARM INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM HOURS:Nov. - March ...........Open for Special EventsApril 1 - Oct. 31 ......Sat/Sun ...... 10AM-4PM Tue-Fri ....... 9AM-2PM Mon ...........Buildings Closed

*All facilities closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Unless otherwise noted, all programs are held rain or shine.

Participants should dress appropriately for weather conditions.