Winter Explorations Research Roundup Brendan Connell Lora Petrak Marty Hackl Saturday, February 10, 10 a.m.-Noon Ages 14+ Lost Valley Visitor Center, Savanna Room, Glacial Park, Ringwood Fee: R Free / NR $5 Code: 8884 Learn about the latest research conducted in our county from this trio of experts. Co昀昀ee and light snacks will be available Marsh and Sedge Wrens Study Anastasia Rahlin, Urban Biotic Assessment Manager & Ornithologist / University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign PhD Student, Illinois Natural History Survey, PhD Student at U of I will discuss her examination of wetland wrens from previous research and compare the 2022 and 2023 results. Bison Observation Field Study Gina Roxas, Executive Director / Ethnobotanist, Trickster Cultural Center will highlight the results of their bison behavior observation study, as well as the bisons' impact on vegetation, soil and wildlife. Local Plant Genetics & Restoration Kevin Scheiwiller, Restoration Ecologist, McHenry County Conservation District will discuss local plant genetics and the "Sought after 60" list for restoration e昀昀orts. SiteS Seldom Seen County Line Road Access Saturday, January 27, 10-11:30 a.m. County Line Road Access, Marengo Fee: R Free / NR $5 Ages 14+ Code: 8893 Join us on the county line as we explore our westernmost conservation area! This 10-acre site of wooded and open History Hike: Glacial Park areas offers hiking and fishing opportunities, as well as Saturday, February 10, 9:30-11 a.m. paddling access to the Kishwaukee River on the Boone Wiedrich Barn, Glacial Park, Ringwood County side. Also learn about the partnership between Fee: R Free / NR $5 Ages 14+ Code: 8866 McHenry and Boone County Conservation Districts to offer miles of river paddling opportunity. Learn about the former inhabitants of Glacial Park as we look for signs of their presence. Visit the Wiedrich Barn, the kettle marsh, the Thomas cemetery and more. Indigenous Storytelling and Nature Hike Ages 8+ Stories with Gerald Savage Ages 10+ Wednesday, December 27, 2-3 p.m. Thursday, January 18, 6-7:30 p.m. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, Ringwood Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake Fee: R Free / NR $5 Code: 8873 Fee: R $12 / NR $15 Code: 8887 Join Gina Roxas, Program Director for the Trickster Cultural Join us for an evening with Gerald Savage, Chief White Center, ethnobotanist and citizen of the Prairie Band Winnebago, Ho Chunk Ska Ga his formal native name, oldest Potawatomi on a family-friendly nature hike. Through the art grandson of Chief Walks with the Wind. Gerald will introduce of story-telling, you’ll learn about indigenous peoples’ cultural the Ho Chunk tribal customs, family names, clans, language, connections to the prairie and how traditional practices territory, manhood rites and ceremonies. Also hear his stories continue to shape indigenous peoples’ relationship to the handed down from generation to generation, including the land today. history of Starved Rock, a site central to his own family’s story. Register online at MCCDistrict.org. Youth 13 & under must be accompanied by an adult. Register online at MCCDistrict.org. Landscapes | Winter 2023-24 17