Forest Preserve Hosts 'Breakfast With The Blossoms - Live!'

If you can't get out to walk a path searching for spring blooms on your own this season, no worries.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County will offer a virtual “Breakfast with the Blossoms - Live!” program at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 4.

Visit the Forest Preserve’s Facebook page to follow along as interpretive naturalist Kate Caldwell explores a preserve in search of blooming wildflowers.

Spring flowers are a delight after winter’s long, icy grip. But they don’t last long, so this is the time of year to tune in to see what’s budding and what has sprouted. Maybe the program will inspire you to take a hike before these ephemeral blooms are gone.

Caldwell encourages viewers to fully enjoy this early morning plant foray.

"Grab a hot cup of coffee, a tasty breakfast treat and top it off with some glacial wildflower viewing," she said. "It's a nice way to wake up in the morning."

The program will introduce you to flowers and friends such as pollinators, seed dispersers and soil dwellers, she added.

Caldwell plans to walk along a winding woodland trail to view the ephemerals that cover the forest floor. She will discuss the hidden leaf dwellers such ants, butterflies, beetles and bees that are essential to bringing forth these flowers each year.

"The end of April and beginning of May is the window that allows for the perfect conditions for ephemeral wildflowers," she said. "It's cold, and yet the forest floor is carpeted with color!"

The livestream will last approximately 45 minutes. Viewers who have questions should post them in the comments section, and Forest Preserve staff will do their best to answer them in real time.