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| Angelic Organics Learning Center |
1547 Rockton Road
Caledonia, IL 61011
Farm Phone: 1-815-389-8455
For our Chicago urban programs office: 1-773-991-0786
Fax: 1-425-969-0317
www.LearnGrowConnect.org
Angelic Organics Learning Center helps urban and rural people build local food systems. The Learning Center offers opportunities to grow healthy food and a better quality of life, connect with farmers and the land, and learn agricultural and leadership skills. The Learning Center, a nonprofit organization, reaches more than 4,000 people each year through its programs at partner farms and urban growing sites in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. For more information or to get involved, please visit http://www.LearnGrowConnect.org.
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| Atwood Environmental Center |
Rockford Park District
2685 New Milford School Rd.
Rockford, IL 61109-4435
1-815-874-7576
FAX: 1-815-874-2467
www.rockfordparkdistrict.org
School and Group Day Outings. Spend a full or half-day at the Atwood Environmental Center and explore any of the 21 seasonal topics available. Some activities can also be brought to community groups and schools (Rockford/Harlem areas only). In general, sessions are approximately 3 hours in length, and require a minimum of eight participants. Call 1-815-874-7576 to schedule a date for your school or group day outing.
Birds of Prey. Focusing on native species, Atwood’s Birds of Prey program delivers a powerful educational and environmental message for people of all ages. If you are interested in scheduling a program, volunteering, or have any questions on the Birds of Prey, please 1-815-874-7576.
Public Viewing. The Atwood Environmental Center cares for seven nonreleasable Birds of Prey, including owls, hawks, a kestrel, and an eagle. The birds may be observed during park hour in large outdoor pens, just west of the Center.
Group Presentations. Our bird handlers can bring a variety of raptors to your site (Rockford/Harlem area) for any of three interesting one-hour programs: Raptor Show and Tell; A Close-Up with Owls; Hawk, I’m Your Brother.
The Blackhawk Sierra Club welcomes you to join us Fourth Monday of month, 7:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockford, 4848 Turner Street (four blocks north and east of State & Alpine) Our goal is to educate and mobilize citizens and activists to address environmental and urban sprawl problems in their area. We hope you can join us! We are volunteers like yourself, and can offer you the opportunity to help protect our environment. If you can help, please contact us. You are welcome! Call Stanley Campbell, conservation chair of the Blackhawk Sierra Club at 1-815-964-7111. We hope to have a community of concerned citizens of the 16th congressional district that will address area and national environmental issues.
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| The Blackhawk Sierra Club |
welcomes you to join us
Fourth Monday of month, 7:30 pm
at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockford,
4848 Turner Street (four blocks north and east of State & Alpine)
Our goal is to educate and mobilize citizens and activists to address environmental and urban sprawl problems in their area. We hope you can join us!
We are volunteers like yourself, and can offer you the opportunity to help protect our environment. If you can help, please contact us. You are welcome! Call Stanley Campbell, conservation chair of the Blackhawk Sierra Club at 1-815-964-7111.
We hope to have a community of concerned citizens of the 16th congressional district that will address area and national environmental issues.
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| Boone County Conservation District |
603 N. Appleton Road
Belvidere, IL 61008
Open year round: 8:00 am-4:30 pm
1-815-547-7935
www.BooneCountyConservationDistrict.org
The BCCD manages 1,700 acres of open space comprised of wetlands, prairies, and woodlands within ten conservation areas. Educational and recreational opportunities are offered year round. The district hosts field trips, workshops, and summer camps. The BCCD mission is to preserve and manage natural areas and open spaces for ecological, educational, and recreational benefits of present and future generations.
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| Burpee Museum of Natural History |
737 North Main Street
Rockford, IL 61103
1-815-965-3433 - Phone
1-815-965-2703 - Fax
www.burpee.org
Burpee Museum of Natural History, located at 737 North Main Street, Rockford, Illinois, is home of Jane, Rockford’s Celebrity Dinosaur. Unearthed in the Badlands of Montana the summer of 2002 by Burpee paleontologists, Jane is considered one of the most spectacular finds in the history of paleontology. The Burpee introduced Jane—the newest and oldest member of the Rockford community—at a special grand opening and unveiling of Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur exhibit on June 29, 2005. After 66 million years underground and 10,000 hours of painstaking restoration work, the mysterious and rare dinosaur named “Jane,” met her public. Paleontologists have determined the identity of a highly complete and remarkable preserved small tyrannosaur is that of a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex. Established in 1941, the Burpee Museum, one of the preeminent natural history museums, is located on the banks of the Rock River in Rockford, Illinois. Permanent Exhibits in the 42,000 square foot Robert H. Solem Wing opened in 1998 include: Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur; 300 Million Year Old Coal Forest, Windows to Wilderness, Full-size cast of T .rex and Mammoth and Native American Artifacts. Meeting rooms, laboratories, Collectors Gift.Shop and Mahlburg Auditorium are also located in the Museum. Museum hours are: Monday-Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 12 noon to 5 pm Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children ages 3-17. (Admission is FREE for members and everyWednesday for the public.) The annual membership fee is $60 for families or grandparents and $50 for an individual. Free parking is available at Burpee Museum at 737 North Main Street or in Riverfront Museum Park parking lot directly next door at 711 North Main Street. For more info, phone 1-815-965-3433 or log on to www.burpee.org
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| Byron Forest Preserve |
7993 N. River Rd
Byron, IL 61010
1-815-234-8535
www.byronforestpreserve.com
Field trips to Natural History Museum, Observatory, and Heritage Farm: Scouts, schools, and senior groups are welcome to the Forest Preserve for an educational and fun tour of our great museums. Staff welcomes and gives tours for the low cost of $1.50/person with a minimum of $30/group. We offer many sessions to choose from including prairie ecology, animal encounter, and group dynamics. Call 1-815-234-8535, ext. 217 to schedule your next outing with us.
Natural History Museum: Habitat exhibits, dioramas, audio interpretation, and prairie view. 7993 N. River Rd. Wetland, woodlands, and prairie environments are displayed pre-European settlement. Mon./Wed./Fri. 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Tues. and Thurs. 8:00 am-8:00 pm, Sat. 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Sun. 1:00 pm-4:00 pm. Free. For all ages. Free.
Heritage Farm Museum: Enjoy a free, self-guided tour of this 1800’s farm. It includes a grout house, corn crib, windmill, and more. Self-guided museum has audio interpretation in the grout house. 8059 N. River Rd. Every day April through October 31. Closed on Holidays. Mon-Fri.: 8:00 am-4:30 pm; Sat.:10:00 am-4:00 pm; Sun.:2:00-6:00 pm. Free.
Preschool Classes: Enroll your child in our structured Pre-School classes during the Byron scheduled school year at Jarrett Prairie Center. We offer a three-day per week class for older 4’s on 5’s. A two-day per week class will be offered for all 3 and younger 4’s. Call 1-815-234-8535 for more info. Dates: Monday and Wednesday and Friday for 4 and 5 year olds or Tuesdays and Thursdays for 3 and 4 year olds during the school yr. Times: 9-11:30 am or 1-3:30 pm. Fee $80/month for Mon/Wed/Fri or $65/month for Tues/Thurs. Registration is on going.
Recycling Station: The Byron Forest Preserve, in conjunction with the Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department, has established a recycling station at the Forest Preserve. The station accepts glass, aluminum, plastic #1-5, & #7, tin, steel, mixed paper, cardboard, and newspaper. The bin is located in the maintenance parking lot at 7993 N. River Rd. in Byron. The station is open during daylight hours seven days per week. Please recycle responsibly by leaving the area cleaner than when you arrived. You no longer need to separate the items in each bin.
Weiskopf Observatory: 7993 N. River Rd. Closed if cloudy. Call for viewing conditions at 1-815-234-8535, ext. 216. View the stars and planets through our 11” Celestron telescope. Experienced staff to guide you. For all ages. Saturdays: at dark. Free.
Canoe Rentals: We rent canoes! Just call us with your date and number of canoes needed. We will haul you upstream on the Rock River and accompany you back to your vehicles at the river parking lot. Canoes are $25 each and include paddles and life jackets. Call Richie today at 1-815-234-8535 x217 for this unique and fun outing.
Outreach: We offer educational programs to any group including retirement homes and nursing facilities for a small fee. Using our nature staff and nature stuff, we come to you and deliver exciting and educational programs including Birds of a Feather, Indian Life (with traditional dress), and Animal encounter(with live animals). Call today to book your next on site program.
Rare Bird Alert: The Forest Preserve is hosting a rare bird alert hotline. Call 1-815-234-8535 x203 to hear updated reports or leave a message about where, when, what, and how to spot a rarity you’ve found.
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| DeKalb County Forest Preserve District |
110 East Sycamore Street
Sycamore, IL 60178
1-815-895-7191
The DeKalb County Forest Preserve District was established in 1940 to provide recreational opportunities, to preserve and restore natural resources for public enjoyment and education, and for the protection of our natural heritage. Year round the DeKalb County Forest Preserves offer a wide variety of activities and beautiful settings. In all, the District offers sites totaling 300 acres. Open-air and enclosed shelterhouses, and camping facilities are also provided. The Natural Resource Center, at Russell Preserve, is open to the public on weekends and can be reserved by school and other groups for outdoor education field trips.
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| The Dome Education & Gathering Center |
6524 Belvidere Road
Roscoe, IL 61073
1-815-623-9878
FAX 1-815-623-3531
e-mail: thedome@charter.net
www.thedomecenter.org
Our mission as a learning center is to host and promote events and gatherings that raise awareness of local, national and global environmental realities and inspire caring citizens to reflect, connect, communicate, and act as responsible caretakers of the earth by creating sustainable communities.
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| Four Rivers Environmental Coalition |
• Comprised of over 30 organizations in an area made up of the watersheds of the Rock, Sugar, Pecatonica and Kishwaukee Rivers in north central Illinois whose vision and mission is to:
• Demonstrate the needs and benefits of Open Space advocacy by supporting regional-wide planning for the preservation of open spaces, park and recreational opportunities.
• Provide a source for scientifically sound information to assist decision makers in devising policy and actions concerning the protection, acquisition, restoration and management of natural areas and open spaces.
• Promote, coordinate, and facilitate the restoration, management, and protection of existing and future natural areas.
• Increase the public’s awareness and understanding of our region’s biodiversity by developing, coordinating, and promoting environmental education programs and events for life long learning.
• Develop relationships and partnerships with private sectors, corporations, and businesses to provide financial resources for the continuation of economic and quality of life benefits for all.
Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each odd numbered month at the Winnebago County Forest Preserve District office, 5500 Northrock Drive, Rockford, IL 61103. For more information, contact: 1-815-877-6100, or jjohannsen@wcfpd.org.
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| Green Communities Coalition |
920 Third Ave.
Rockford, IL
815-874-9604
www.greencommunitiescoalition.org
Green Communities Coalition is a non-profit grassroots organization of concerned citizens dedicated to preserving and improving our environment through positive action. We seek to build a cooperative coalition with partners in the communities where we live: be they churches, schools, nonprofit organizations, government, business or individuals. Together we will agree on actions we can take to improve the environment and make recommendations to government and the public. Call or visit web site for monthly meeting date and agenda. All are welcome.
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| Holistic Moms Network |
Rockford, IL
www.holisticmoms.org
email: rockfordholisticmoms@yahoo.com
1-815-623 – 5922
Our purpose is to generate awareness, education, and support for holistic parents and to provide a nurturing, open-minded and respectful community for parents to share knowledge of alternative health, mindful parenting, natural healing, and green living. Monthly parent informational meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
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“HOO” HavenWildlife Rehabilitation
and Education Center |
Durand, Illinois
1-815-629-2212
karen@hoohaven.org
www.hoohaven.org
“Hoo” Haven is a 501C 3, nonprofit wildlife facility dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of North American animals and community education about conservation. We hold State and Federal licenses to provide wildlife rehabilitation and education services to the community. We have an on-site trauma center and small ICU where oxygen, IVs, nebulizer treatments, stitches, etc. are given to stabilize wildlife patients. Broken bones are always stabilized before transport to the veterinarian. Injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife recover at the facility and most are released as healthy, wild animals. While we are open to the public, it is important to understand that we are not a petting zoo. Because we provide critical care and rehabilitation services, we are selective about visitors. We ask that interested parties call us to schedule a private tour for adults and children that are no younger than 8 years of age. Individuals and groups interested in volunteer experiences with Hoo Haven can inquire by calling 1-815-629-2212 or visit volunteermatch.org (search Hoo Haven.) We are qualified as a site for community service hours that may be required for scouts, schools, churchs, or court-ordered community service. We just ask that regular-basis volunteers be at least 14 years old. If any Scouts, girl or boy are interested in joining our list of Silver, Gold or Eagle awards, please call for list of on going projects. Hoo Haven’s education team is proud to have nine Raptor Ambassadors, of varying species including “Ruffles,” a juvenile American Bald Eagle who is now trained for special programs. If you would like to learn about our Raptor Ambassador Program and Wildlife Discovery Trunks (for school use), please call and leave a phone number where you can be reached either early in the morning or evening. Keep in mind that programs and “in-school field trips” are typically booked 8-10 weeks in advance. Please call for current program fees which help to support the wildlife recovering at the facility.
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| Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful |
5417 N. Second St.
Loves Park, IL 61111-5010
1-815-637-1343
FAX: 1-815-637-0525
email: info@knib.org
www.knib.org
Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful, the regional Keep America Beautiful affiliate, is a volunteer-driven, 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization founded in 1988. Its mission is to improve our environment through education, public awareness and community involvement. Annual environmental projects include: coordinating the local efforts for the national Great American Cleanup campaign; operating the region’s only volunteer-based Recycling Center in Roscoe; organizing three annual Clothing Drives and the biannual Metals and Electronics Drives; sponsoring a regional Christmas Tree Recycling Program; conducting a Crayon Recycling Program; and presenting Environmental Education Programs to area schools and community groups. New events this year include the Earth Day Awards Luncheon and a Medication Collection Drive.
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| Kishwaukee River Ecosystem Partnership |
P.O. Box 715
Belvidere, IL 61008
1-815-544-1576
krep@inwave.com
Kishwaukee River Ecosystem Partnership normally meets at 7:00 pm on the second Thursday of each month at various locations around the watershed. The KREP meetings and membership are open to all who support the mission and goals of the partnership. Mission: To raise awareness of the ecological, recreational, cultural and economic importance of the Kishwaukee River watershed, and to coordinate and encourage efforts to foster stewardship, protect and enhance its resources.
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| Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden |
2715 S.Main St.
Rockford, IL 61102
1-815-965-8146
www.klehm.org
Open to the public:Memorial Day-Labor Day, 9:00 am-8:00 pm daily; September-May: 9:00 am-4:00 pm daily; call for holiday hours.
Admission: age 16 and over, $4; children and Klehm members, free.
Free admission on Mondays.
Over 150 acres hold a collection of more than 600 woody plant species and cultivars. This collection is the result of the natural growth of plants native to northern Illinois, the operations of a commercial landscape nursery for over 60 years, and ongoing acquisitions made since the grounds became a full-time, seven-day-a-week arboretum in 1998. Experience this living museum every season: majestic colors in fall, hundreds of blooming crabapples in spring, glorious flower gardens in summer, and snow-covered evergreens in winter. Come enjoy the nearly two miles of paved walking paths and endless wood-chipped paths. Devoted gardeners tend to the display gardens, including the butterfly garden, hosta garden, herb garden, peony garden, ornamental grass garden, daylily garden, prehistoric garden, and rhododendron glen.There is also an eye-level garden designed especially for those in wheelchairs. A winding path leads to the Nancy Olson Children’s Garden. As you stroll across the bridge to the entrance, enjoy the sounds of two waterfalls and watch the fish swimming in the pool.This garden has a lookout tower, the amazing maze, and a variety of sights, sounds, and scents to explore – all designed to help kids connect with the wonders of nature. Youth education classes, focused on botanical and environmental education, are offered year-round. Call Klehm for a listing of classes and dates. Annual special events include Garden Fair, the Midwest’s premier gardening and outdoor living marketplace with over 100 vendors; the tree sale and plant sale, with hundreds of plants lovingly grown in our members’ gardens; the Woodsong: Music in the Garden concert series each summer; and Autumn in the Arboretum, a weekend of activities for families and kids. Self-guided tours are free and available at any time during regular hours; stop in the Visitor Center for a trail guide. Docent-guided tours, as well as Blossom Buggy tours are available by reservation. The Blossom Buggy, an electric cart that accommodates one tour guide and five passengers, is an excellent way to view the collection, especially for those with limited physical mobility. A popular setting for private and community events, the Fountain Garden presents a lovely environment for any occasion. Spacious walkways, perennial border gardens, and a magnificent backdrop of trees create a quiet, restful gathering place. A water fountain, the Calvin C. Covert gazebo, trellises, and performance stage make a lovely scene for weddings, award ceremonies, community celebrations, and other activities.The gallery space in the Visitor Center is also available for receptions, parties, and other events.
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LTM Water Treatment
Kinetico Home Water Systems |
8418 N. Second Street
Machesney Park, IL 61115
815-742-7783
www.LTMwater.com or www.kinetico.com
Don’t waste resources with all that bottled water! LTM/Kinetico provides healthy water with minimal environmental impact. Eco-friendly water treatment products, water testing and education. Low-salt water softeners that use no electricity, jugless water coolers/dispensers and reverse osmosis drinking water systems. Call Water Bill at 815-742-7783 for more information.
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| Macktown Living History Education Center |
Located at Macktown Forest Preserve
2221 Freeport Rd.
Rockton, IL 61072
MLHEC, P.O. Box 566, Rockton, IL 61072
1-815-624-4200
www.macktownlivinghistory.com
Macktown Living History Education Center is a non-profit organization located at Macktown Forest Preserve, Rockton, Illinois. Their mission is to restore the site of the original Macktown Settlement and provide education on early 1800’s life.
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| Natural Land Institute |
320 South Third Street
Rockford, Illinois 61104
1-815-964-6666
FAX: 1-815-964-6661
www.naturalland.org
e-mail: nli@aol.com
Open Monday – Friday: 8:00 am-5:00 pm
The mission of the Natural Land Institute is to create an enduring legacy of natural land in northern Illinois for people, plants and animals. We do this by preserving forests, prairies and wetlands for native plants and animals, restoring habitat for wildlife, protecting rivers and streams for fish and other aquatic species, educating people about their part in nature, and providing opportunities to enjoy natural areas to enrich the lives of residents of northern Illinois. NLI offers volunteer opportunities, educational programs and nature walks at our preserves. Workdays and programs are often scheduled at the NygrenWetland Preserve, a 721-acre restoration project located a mile west of Rockton, Illinois. Natural Land Institute Education Opportunities include at-your-site presentations and hands-on activities at prairies and wetlands for school classes, scouts, home schoolers, and other groups. A $2 donation per group member is appreciated. Opportunities for service projects include planting native trees and seeds, collecting seeds, controlling invasive species, and cutting brush. Call Lucas Bradley for more information. Natural Resources Committee of League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford Meets fourth Tuesday of each month at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at 11:30 am. Lunch is available. Committee members dedicated to helping protect and preserve our natural resources.
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Natural Resources Committee of League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford |
Meets fourth Tuesday of each month at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at 11:30 am. Lunch is available. Committee members dedicated to helping protect and preserve our natural resources.
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| Natural Resources Education Consortium (NREC) |
University of Illinois Extension
1350 West Prairie Drive
Sycamore, IL 60178
1-815-784-2000
The NREC is a combined effort of the DeKalb County Forest Preserve, Soil and Water Conservation District, Solid Waste Management and the University of Illinois Extension. Our goal is to provide natural resource education for youth and adults of DeKalb County.
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| The Nature Conservancy - Nachusa Grasslands |
8772 S. Lowden Rd
Franklin Grove IL 61031
1-815-456-2340
www.nature.org/
Nachusa Grasslands is a 2,600 acre natural area owned and operated by The Nature Conservancy, a private, non-profit group whose mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Nachusa is free and open to the public every day for photography, birdwatching, and hiking. Every Saturday from 9:00 am-noon is a stewardship workday where volunteers can get hands on involvement with the project. Volunteers help with the important restoration tasks like seed picking, planting, thinning brush, and monitoring.
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North Central Illinois Ornithological Society
(NCIOS) |
P.O. Box 6371
Rockford IL 61125-1371
www.ncios.org
NCIOS meets at 7:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month, usually at Burpee Museum, except in June and September when the club meets at 6:00 p.m. in area forest preserves and parks. NCIOS does not meet in July, August, and December. The North Central Illinois Ornithological Society (NCIOS), or the Bird Club, celebrated its Sixtieth Anniversary January 2007 at Burpee Museum. It is one of the longest continuously existing organizations in the Rockford area. Meetings feature educational programs about birds, birding equipment, places and times to watch birds, recent area bird sightings, bird identification tips, and members’ birding trips, etc. The Club offers monthly bird watching field trips to local sites of interest, as well as opportunities to participate in trips to out of state sites and the annual Christmas, Spring, and Sandhill Crane bird counts. Visitors are always welcome and car pooling is available for field trips. Classes for beginning birders are offered from time to time. For more information, please visit the Club’s web site, www.ncios.org, or call Joyce Armstrong at 1-815-398-2974.
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| Northwest Illinois Audubon Society |
P.O. Box 771
Freeport, IL 61032
The Northwest Illinois Audubon Society, a chapter of the National Audubon Society, provides many opportunities for environmental action at the local level. The Society’s strongest commitments are in the areas of public environmental education, natural areas management and sustainable agriculture. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month, September – May in Freeport. Field trips re offered each moth, and a bimonthly newsletter is sent to members. The Society’s Sustainable Agriculture Committee sponsors a "Food for Thought" each February. Many stewardship days are scheduled each summer on prairie remnants managed by the Society, including Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity preserve near Forreston, which the Society co-owns with the Prairie Preservation Society of Ogle County. In addition, the Society participates in the annual Christmas Bird Count, promotes member action on environmental legislation, provides environmental education materials to local school classrooms and offer scholarships for ecology workshops and ornithology courses.
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| Oakdale Nature Preserve / Freeport Park District |
4433 S Cranes Grove Road, P.O. Box 417
Freeport, IL 61032
Picnic grounds and 4 miles of trails open dawn to 10:30 pm year-round. Three buildings available for rentals for weddings, retreats andmeetings. Outdoor Birthday Parties offered for ages 4-12 with 90 minutes of staff-led nature fun, several different themes to choose from. Call 1-815-235-6114 ext 0 or e-mail at oakdale@freeportparkdistrict.org The mission of Oakdale Nature Preserve is to serve the community by encouraging environmental stewardship to protect native Illinois ecosystems, and to provide outdoor recreational experiences that allow individuals to explore, learn, and appreciate interdependence with the natural environment of the region. Rental facilities available; Auditorium-375, Lodge-80, Dorms-60, Newly remodeledMogle building for smaller groups.
Freeport Park District
1122 S. Burchard Av, PO Box 417
Freeport, IL
1-815-235-6114
www.freeportparkdistrict.org
Krape Park
1799 S. Park Ave, PO Box 417
Freeport, IL 61032
One of the finest and most heavily used parks in the region. This 120-acre venue hosts baseball diamonds, tennis courts, covered picnic shelters, disc golf and their own unique carousel. With Yellow Creek winding through this scenic area, paddleboats, canoes and kayaks are a popular activity for many visitors. These are some of many other points of interest in Freeport’s crown jewel of parks.
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| David C. Olson Photography |
1440 21st Street
Rockford, IL
1-815-873-1777
www.davidolsonphoto.com
David and Adrienne Olson offer Portrait,Wedding, Family, School, andWildlife photography.They have been capturing fine portraiture for over 15 years. Call to book a nature photography presentation for your group or organization. Our full service studio offers the latest in digital services.
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| Winnebago County Chapter of Pheasants Forever |
www.pfwcil.org
The mission of the chapter is to protect and enhance wildlife populations throughout Winnebago County through public awareness and environmental education, habitat restoration, development and maintenance of natural resources management policies.
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| Prairie Preservation Society of Ogle County |
9024 W. Grove Road
Forreston, IL 61030
1-815-938-3204
The Prairie Preservation Society of Ogle County is a membership organization with two primary purposes:
1. to preserve prairie remnants in Ogle County through management programs and acquisition and
2. to provide public education opportunities through programs and field trips aimed to better acquainting people with natural areas. The prairie Preservation Society owns the 11.2-acre Douglas E. Wade prairie Nature preserve near Byron and co-owns (with the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society) the 40 acre Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity preserve near Forreston. Each year the Society sponsors three programs, two field trips, several newsletters and numerous stewardship days. All events are open to the public. Membership is $10/year for individuals and $15/year for families.
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| Pranayama Yoga Studio |
517 East State Street
Rockford, IL
1-815-968-9642
yogarockford.com
Pranayama Yoga Studio offers a rare combination of mindful relaxation, physical challenge, and energy renewal. Our downtown loft studio, with its soft palette of colors, open beams, and bare brick wall, reflects the peace and the strength of yoga. We offer a full schedule of diverse classes for all experience levels. Beginners are welcome. A full list of day and evening classes can be accessed at yogarockford.com or at 1-815-968-YOGA (9642).
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| The Rock River Times |
128 N. Church Street
Rockford, IL 61101
815-964-9767
www.rockrivertimes.com
The Rock River Times, a weekly newspaper, strives to be "The Voice of the Community". The RRT’s editorial philosophy guides the publication’s journalistic content: "we strive to continue to fight for historical preservation…the richness of many cultures, fairness and loyalty in commerce, protection for the environment, the use of alternative energy…" The RRT is committed to reporting and promoting environmental protection and conservation issues.
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| Sand Bluff Bird Observatory |
Colored Sands Forest Preserve
Haas Road, Shirland, IL.
Mail: P.O. Box 2
Seward, IL. 61077
1-815-629-2671
www.wcfpd.org
Open to the public: Saturdays: 8:00 am-4:00 p.m.; Sundays: 8:00 am-12:00 pm Fall: weekends after Labor Day through November, depending on the weather Sand Bluff Bird Observatory is one of the largest small-bird banding operations in the country that is open to the public. Sand Bluff is, and always has been, run entirely by volunteers who band birds, serve as guides for visitors, and present educational programs. Although Sand Bluff is a research facility, education is also a high priority. Special events allowing visitors to interact with owls and hawks are available by reservation. Please see the calendar for available dates. Individual and group visits to Sand Bluff are welcome. For more information or to schedule a group tour contact: LisaWeckerly, 1-815-623-1815. A map is available on theWinnebago County Forest Preserve website at: www.wcfpd.org/preserves/NWMap.cfm
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| Severson Dells Nature Center |
Located at Severson Dells Forest Preserve
8786 Montague Road
Rockford, IL 61102
1-815-335-2915
FAX: 1-815-335-2471
www.seversondells.org
Nature Center Hours: Monday through Saturday: 8:00 am-4:30 pm; Sunday: 1:00-4:30 pm Severson Dells Nature Center’s mission is to link people to nature through education and research in the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin area. The Nature Center promotes awareness of the natural world, fostering respect, enjoyment and preservation now and in the future. Educational programs are offered weekly to people of all ages and interests.
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| Sinnissippi Audubon Society |
P.O. Box 7544, Rockford, IL 61126
1-815-398-2974
Sinnissippi Audubon Society is a local chapter of the National Audubon Society in Winnebago and Boone Counties. Membership meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the months September through June. Field Trips are also scheduled during the year.
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| Sugar-Pecatonica Rivers Ecosystem Partnership |
320 South Third Street
Rockford, Illinois 61104
1-815-964-6666
The mission of the Sugar-Pecatonica Rivers Ecosystem Partnership is to demonstrate leadership in preservation and management of the Sugar and Pecatonica rivers’ ecosystems and natural resources and to promote responsible and sustainable use of these resources through the Conservation 2000 grants and other sources. Meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. on the second Monday of odd-numbered months at various locations around the watersheds, with the exception of the Annual Meeting in September, which is held at 7:00 p.m. The meetings are free and open to the public, with the next meeting to be held on Monday, May 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the US Bank meeting room, 430 Main Street, Pecatonica, IL. The following meetings will be on July 14 and September 8, 2008 with the locations to be determined. Please call the Natural Land Institute at 1-815-964-6666 for the location of each meeting.
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| Dick and Nancy Todd Photography |
26434 U.S. Highway 34
Princeton, IL 61356
1-815-643-2342
e-mail: dragonfly0788@yahoo.com
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| United Sportsmen’s Youth Foundation |
1931 Route 75 East, Suite B
Freeport, IL 61032-8196
Phone: 815/599-5690
Fax: 815/232-2743
usjournal@hotmail.com
http://usjournal.spaces.live.com
www.usyf.com
www.rockhollowhuntclub.com
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| University of Illinois Extension Center |
John Church, Extension Educator, Natural Resources Mgt.
417 Ware Ave., Suite 102
Rockford, IL 61107
1-815-397-7714
FAX: 1-815-397-8620
e-mail: churchj@mail.aces.uiuc.edu
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| University of Illinois ExtensionWinnebago County Office |
1925 S. Meridian Road
Rockford, IL 61102
1-815-986-4357
e-mail: mbowe@uiuc.edu
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| Upper Rock River Ecosystem Partnership |
4833 Owen Center Road
Rockford, IL 61101
1-815-965-2392, ext. 3
e-mail: rock.river@il.usda.gov
The Upper Rock River Ecosystem Partnership is one of 39 partnerships in the state of Illinois. The mission of the partnership is to promote collaboration among the diverse organizations and private landowners who share an interest in improving the quality of life within the watershed by: protecting, preserving and enhancing its natural, cultural, scenic, scientific, and recreational values.
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| Welty Environmental Center |
8606 W. County Rd. H
Beloit, WI 53511
1-608-361-1377
www.weltycenter.org
info@weltycenter.org
The Welty Environmental Center is a hub for regional environmental education. It is where instruction and debate about environmental, ecological, and related matters can be offered to teachers, students, and other members of the community. It is located in Beckman Mill County Park (6 miles west of Beloit), which is rich in wildlife, wetlands, scenery, and heritage.
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| Wild Ones® – Rock River Valley Chapter |
7208 N. 2nd St.
Machesney Park, IL 61115-3712
815-282-0316
e-mail: Kublaikhan@mac.com
www.for-wild.org
Wild Ones is a national organization of about 3000 members with a local chapter of about 180. We teach people how to incorporate native plants into their home or business landscapes. Meetings are usually held the third Thursday of the month at 7 pm. We normally meet at Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford. Most meetings are free and open to the public and are designed to provide ideas, how-to and inspiration. They consist of presentations on prairie, woodland, and wetland native plants and natural landscaping and related subjects. Several other events are offered to members throughout the year.
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| Winnebago Boone Green Party |
Local affiliate of the Illinois Green Party
www.ilgreenparty.org
1-815-547-4760
dblack107@aol.com
Committed to Ten Key Values: Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice, Grassroots Democracy, Nonviolence, Decentralization, Community-based Economics, Feminism, Respect for Diversity, Personal and Global Responsibility, and Future Focus.
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| Winnebago County Forest Preserve District |
5500 Northrock Dr.
Rockford, IL 61103
1-815-877-6100
FAX: 1-815-877-6124
www.wcfpd.org
The Winnebago County Forest Preserve District owns and manages 9,400 acres of forest preserves for citizens and visitors of Winnebago County. The District partners with local environmental education organizations to provide an array of life long learning opportunities at forest preserve sites. Severson Dells, Pecatonica River, Klehm Arboretum and Sand Bluff Bird Observatory offer unique opportunities for families, students, youth groups and individuals to gain intimate knowledge of the plants and animals of our native Illinois habitats. Four campgrounds, 28 shelterhouses, eight boat ramps, 87 miles of hiking trails, six designated nature preserves are just some of the benefits offered at the District’s 38 sites. Over 1,500,000 people visit Winnebago County forest preserves each year for picnics, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, camping, concerts, field trips and special events. Call or visit our website for free maps and brochures to help you find and enjoy some of the most beautiful natural areas in the Midwest.
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| Winnebago County Health Department |
401 Division Street
Rockford, IL 61104
TheWinnebago County Health Department Vision is to help promote a safe and healthy community inWinnebago County. Our Mission Statement is “To generate community efforts and interest, to prevent disease, promote health and assure that vital elements are in place to improve the health of the residents of Winnebago County.” This includes education on and protection of groundwater, regulation of private septic and well systems to protect health and groundwater supplies, provide environmental lab testing services, assure food sanitation at public facilities and events, and to assure minimum standards for healthy houses, properties and subdivisions. Other programs currently provided to assure a healthy environment include but are not limited toWest Nile Virus surveillance, radon surveillance in homes, child lead exposure monitoring and elimination, and the promotion of proper disposal and / or recycling practices for hazardous materials such a mercury thermometers.
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| Winnebago County Soil &Water Conservation District |
4833 Owen Center Rd
Rockford, IL 61101
Monday-Friday: 8:00 am-4:30 pm
1-815-965-2392 x 3
Our mission is to promote the protection, restoration, and wise management of the County’s natural resources. We provide technical resources in the areas of soil erosion, water quality, wildlife habitat, environmental education, and native ecosystem restoration and management.
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| YMCA of Rock River Valley |
CampWinnebago Branch
5804 North Main Street
Rockford, IL 61103
1-815-654-0758
www.rockfordymca.org
Teachers and area group leaders may select half and full-day environmental education units to help students, Kindergarten-Middle School, focus on science, history, social study, Native American life ways, and outdoor living skills that enhance classroom presentations. Camp’s unique natural setting complete with multiple outdoor and indoor teaching stations combined with trained staff help create student experiences that are meaningful, relevant, and fun. Camp’s Adventure programs incorporate team building, leadership development, personal and group challenges, encouragement of good communication and interpersonal skills with orientation centered around the YMCA values of honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring. Programs are available daily and are provided on site or at your site.
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