Fall Adventures With McHenry Co. Conservation District

The McHenry County Conservation District will kick off its fall programs in September. Here is a look at programs that will be happening in the coming weeks.

Flying Squirrel Night Hike

Friday, September 7 from 7–8:30 p.m. at Hickory Grove Highlands Conservation Area – Shelter #2, 500 Hickory Nut Grove Lane, Cary. Do flying squirrels actually fly? What do they eat and where do they live? Find the answers to these questions and much more as we explore the outdoors at night in search of the elusive flying squirrels. Note: There are no guarantees that we will see any squirrels. No flashlights, please. Fee: County resident Free/NR $5.00 Just for Kids ages 6–12. Registration required.

Milkweed Bugs

Saturday, September 8 from 1:30–2:30 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area – Shelter #2 Amphitheater, 13315 Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock. Drop your kids off with us for an hour of exploration and fun! They will learn about the milkweed bug and its relationship with the milkweed plant. We will search for, capture, and release milkweed bugs as well as play some games. Fee: County resident Free/NR $5.00. Just for Kids ages 5–13. Registration required.

Discovery Days

Thursday, September 13 from 10–11 a.m. at Coral Woods Conservation Area, 7400 Somerset, Marengo. Enjoy an hour of fun including a game, craft, snack and other educational activities all based around the special theme of the day. A short hike will be included, weather permitting. Fee: County resident Free/NR $5.00. Just for Kids ages 2–6, with chaperone.Registration required.

Family Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, September 15 from 1:30–3:30 p.m. at Kishwaukee Headwaters Conservation Area, 1606 Dean Street, Woodstock. Bring your family out for an autumn scavenger hunt adventure! Meet us at the shelter for an introduction and to pick up your map and scavenger hunt sheet. Bring your completed worksheet back to the program leader for a prize! Fee: County resident Free/NR $5.00. Adults and Families. Registration required.

Sites Seldom Seen… Pleasant Valley

Saturday, September 15 from 1–4 p.m. at Pleasant Valley Conservation Area, 13315 Pleasant Valley Road, Woodstock. Travel to an area not usually open to the public and monitor for dragonflies and damselflies. The best way to find out which species call a site home is to find them in their larval stage, which can be easier to observe than their adult stage. We will use nets and scopes and travel through some wet environments to catch as many species as possible. Our finds will be entered into the District's database. Equipment provided. Wear footwear appropriate for hiking and getting wet. Dress for the weather. Meeting location will be sent closer to the program date. Fee: County resident Free/NR $5.00. Just for Adults, ages 14 years and older. Registration required.

Fascinating Fall Fungus

Sunday, September 16 from 1:30–3 p.m. at Hickory Grove Highlands Conservation Area, Shelter #1, 500 Hickory Nut Grove Lane, Cary. As we hike our forests in the fall, we often overlook some of their most colorful and interesting inhabitants. The beauty of our changing trees often overshadows this peak time for finding fascinating fungus on the forest floor. Join District staff and local members of the Wisconsin Mycological Society in seeking out and learning about these hidden forest gems. Come dressed for the weather and for potentially rugged, off-trail hiking. Fee: County resident Free/NR $2.00. Adults and Families. Registration required.

Nature Magnified

Wednesday, September 19 from 6:30–8 p.m. at Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Route 31 and Harts Rd., Ringwood. Get a closer look at nature by joining us for some exploratory fun with magnification. We’ll go for a short hike through Glacial Park to collect some natural objects. After we collect our artifacts we’ll return to the visitor center where there will be access to magnifying glasses, microscopes, and a digital microscope that can project to the big screen! Fee: County resident Free/NR $5.00. Just for Kids ages 3 ½–13, with chaperone. Registration required.

Fall Kayak Trip

Saturday, September 22 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Pioneer Road Landing at Nippersink Canoe Trail, 7405 Pioneer Rd., Richmond. If you are already skilled in basic river paddling techniques, this kayak trip on Nippersink Creek is for you. Paddle eight miles from Pioneer Road Landing to Nippersink Canoe Base and enjoy the beautiful fall scenery along the banks. Bring a sack lunch, plenty of water, sunscreen, bug spray, and wear shoes suitable for wading. All equipment is provided, single kayaks only. Note: If conditions on this portion of the Nippersink Creek are not suitable, we may still offer the trip on the first seven mile section of the creek instead, from Keystone to Pioneer Landing. Registrants will be notified. Fee: County resident $20.00/NR $25.00. Just for Adults, ages 14 years and older. Registration required.

Stroller Strut

Monday, September 24 from 10–11 a.m. at Marengo Ridge Conservation Area – Shelter #1, 2411 N. IL Rt. 23, Marengo. Explore and enjoy nature on this casual stroller walk. By using our senses and descriptive words, we become more familiar with the natural world around us. Dress for the weather and bring your own water, sunscreen, and/or insect repellent to ensure the comfort of your child. Fee: County resident Free/NR $2.00. Just for Kids ages Infant–5, with chaperone. Registration required.

Hike When the Moon is Full

Monday, September 24 from 6:30–8 p.m. at The Hollows Conservation Area, 3804 U.S. Hwy 14, Cary. The full moon has always been a source of mystery, myth and folklore in various cultures throughout the world. Learn more about these and sort out fact from fantasy as we enjoy a hike under the full moon. Along the way listen to stories and lore of the season, the night and the moon. Leave your flashlights at home and let the moon light the way. Fee: County resident Free/NR $2.00. Adults and Families. Registration required by September 21.

Visit the District’s website at www.MCCDistrict.org to view all program and event offerings or sign up to receive the seasonal magazine Landscapes. Register online, by phone (free programs only) at (815) 479-5779, by mail-in and drop-off at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road in Crystal Lake, or drop-off only at Lost Valley Visitor Center, Route 31 and Harts Rd. in Ringwood.

PHOTO VIA SHUTTERSTOCK