Special Interest Cast Iron Cooking: Spring Breads Ages 14+ Bison Ranch Stories Ages 14+ ER Sunday, April 14, Noon–4 p.m. Sunday, April 14, 1-2:30 p.m. V Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake Location and parking info will be sent to registrants. O Fee: R $20 / NR $25 Code: 8999 Fee: R Free / NR $5 Code: 8961 C Learn to cook tasty Dutch oven bread recipes McHenry County Conservation District is S while learning about cast iron use and care. using bison and regenerative grazing to I Sample the results of your e昀昀orts at the end restore and manage soil health and D of the class and leave with knowledge as well wildlife habitat in the prairie and savanna as recipes! Taught by the "Dutch Oven Diva", ecosystems. District sta昀昀 and a special guest Lesley Tennessen. will discuss habitat management using e s grazing animals to create the conditions that o e R u allow these ecosystems to 昀氀ourish. S E Spring Wildflower Walk All Ages Shooting Star Plant Talk & Trek: Spring Ephemerals Ages 14+ IK Wednesday, May 1, 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, 9-10:30 a.m. Coral Woods, Marengo Coral Woods, Marengo H Fee: R Free / NR $5 Code: 9002 Fee: R Free / NR $5 Code: 8968 The woodlands spring to life with colorful Join a naturalist as we enjoy the warming wild昀氀owers before the trees leaf out and days and spring ephemeral wild昀氀owers, shade the forest 昀氀oor. Join us for a 1.5 mile many of which only bloom for a short time. hike through the woods to take in the beauty We will learn the normal blooming sequence, of the ever-changing palette of wild昀氀owers. how to identify them, and what makes them unique. This is a 1-2 mile hike. E Paddling McHenry County Ages 14+ Canoe to a Heron Rookery Ages 14+ L Wednesday, March 20, 7-8 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 8–10:30 a.m. D Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, Ringwood Hickory Grove Riverfront, Cary D Fee: R Free / NR $5 Code: 8997 Fee: R $20 / NR $25 Code: 9006 With new launches on the Kishwaukee River Spend a spring morning canoeing on the PA and Nippersink North Branch, paddling in Fox River, learning about this riparian habitat McHenry County has never been better. and visiting a heron rookery! Equipment is In this indoor presentation, we will discuss provided and binoculars will be available to paddling on the Nippersink, the Kishwaukee borrow, but bring drinking water. and the Fox Rivers. Everything you need to This paddling trip is not suitable for beginners. Every know is included in this program—how to participant must be con昀椀dent in their ability to paddle both up dress, how to plan your shuttle, how to read and down stream for 2 miles. the USGS water level website, where to get equipment, and more! Climate Conversations Ages 14+ Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, Ringwood Fee: R Free / NR $5 Join us for a new series that explores climate change and how it a昀昀ects our local area. Climate Conversations: Water Resources Climate Conversations: Observations from a Naturalist Tuesday, Tuesday, May 7, 7-8:30 p.m. Code: 9008 May 21, 7-8:30 p.m. Code: 9009 McHenry County's unique water resources support McHenry County Conservation District life, healthy environments, vibrant communities and Environmental Educator Kim Compton will economic opportunities. However, these water resources share her personal observations of nature in are vulnerable to a variety of threats including overuse, our area that spans over 20 years. She will pollution and climate change. share her phenology calendar and what it Scott Kuykendall, McHenry County tells us about climate change. Water Resources Specialist, will share Watch for more upcoming guest speakers as part of this new series. the fascinating story about water in our Do you want to learn more about phenology and climate change? region and how to help communities protect our vital water resources. Check out our web series "Tom Talks" on our YouTube channel: MCCD.me/TomTalks. 18