Visit www.parkfun.com and take our Spring Valley Program Survey.

InsideSpring Valley General Information ...................10Volunteer News ContentsVolunteern Want Ads ..........................................7Volunteer Calendar .......................................... 8-9

Bunny Tails and Spring Trails ............................2High Times for Lazy Beds ...................................3What’s Happenin’ ............................................. 4-5Emerals Ash Borer ..............................................6

In this issue... A characteristic common to those who frequently carve out space in their lives to spend time immersed in nature is attentiveness to detail. Modern life, with its fast pace, the constant hum of traffic and the regular beeping and chiming of electronic devices, dulls our awareness of the rich sensual textures, sounds and smells of the natural world. This issue of the Natural Enquirer alludes to that deeper awareness still possible for all of us. Just as regular physical exercise tones and strengthens muscles and reflexes, time spent leisurely and quietly in nature strengthens our observational powers. With this heightened awareness, we can truly experience the abundant explosion of new life in springtime. We can also better understand the insights of our ancestors that led them to design gardens in imitation of nature. We can also become better stewards of our own home landscape, better able to notice subtle changes in the plants and other creatures that share our neighborhoods. While we are all encouraged to make New Year’s resolutions in January, there is no more inspiring a time than spring to make a resolution to get outside more often and exercise your senses.

Natural EnquirerNewsle t te r fo r Spr ing Va l l ey Suppor te rs and Vo lun tee rs vo l . 3 no .2 • Ma r c h /A pr. ‘ 1 2

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Ah, the smell of spring; there’s nothing else quite like it. After the drag of late winter, without the excitement of the holidays, it feels great to get outside. Spring is a breath of fresh air, and Spring Valley is a perfect place to enjoy tails and trails. There are over three miles of trails, and surprises can be found along any one of them. Animal babies are popping up all over, and

bunny tails are likely to be spotted as the latest additions explore their strange new world.winged blackbirds dart hither and yon, protecting their hid-den hideaways near the marsh. Turtles find a comfortable place to lay their eggs, often where

we least expect. As the insects return for the season, fish jump to catch one as it darts through the air.In the prairie, the ground begins to warm, preparing for new growth. Early flowers bring a flash of color and light to the otherwise barren-looking land-

scape. Patches of black, sometimes with specks of green poking through, indicate where controlled burns have recently occurred. Snakes warm themselves on the path, slithering away as hurried shoes disturb their nap. In an astound-ingly short period of time, the prairie will transition from its browns and greys of

winter to the various greens of spring.The woods bring forth not only the bursting of leaf buds on trees, but their herald—the woodland flowers. These predictors of spring must bloom, flower, and seed before the trees above their heads shadow them into submission for the remainder of the year. This is a

spectacular sight, and well worth the time to find their short-lived beauty. Among these early bloomers, small creatures of the woods begin their an-nual march through their own life cycles. The interdependence of these plants and animals are part of what makes

Spring Valley so special.Prairie, wet-lands, and woodlands are all a part of the great confluence of spring. Each is unique, and has its own story to tell. As you make time to visit, look for bunny tails along the trails. They may inspire

you to tell a few tales of your own. Happy Spring!

Bunny Tails and Spring Trails by Luetta Coonrod

As the lion of early March begins to give way to the lamb, there are plenty of opportunities to feed your mind and body. Discover the joys of coffee and/or cheese at the Heritage Farm; get out and paint in the open air. Peer at the night sky through tele-scopes or expand your night vision with an evening hike. Sugar Bush Fair, March 17 & 18 (9AM-Noon) is a chance to learn how maple syrup is made. Visit historic demonstrations and modern interpretations and top off your morning with a pancake breakfast. Spring break offers students a chance to discover the land in a new way, includ-ing a day spent at the cabin cooking in the fireplace.

If you don’t feel like a structured program, the grounds are open 8AM-5PM for you to enjoy. Trails wind

through the prairie, wetlands, and woodlands; spring ephemerals greet passing footsteps with a nod or a bow. Each week brings new wonders to the landscape, and flowers are just the beginning. Birds are returning from their winter vacation, and their calls fill the air. Nests are being built, and young ones will soon flex their wings before they fledge.Closer to the ground, the pond comes to life. The chirps, whirs, creaks, and croaks of frogs can be heard from the Na-ture Center and beyond. Red-

Rabbit

Boiling Sap at the Sugar Bush Fair

Redwing Blackbird

Snapping Turtle

Woodland Trail at Spring Valley

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At some point during the seventh de-cade of the 20th century, a revolution in gardening called the “NEW Biodynamic Deep Bed Method” was brought to the attention of those drawn to work-ing in the earth. At first, the method, which involves considerable up-front manual labor to initiate, seemed to be just another over-compensatory reac-tion to the “machine age” that welled up from California, its place of origin. The basic gist was that by spurning pollut-ing, gas-guzzling machines that require level ground and widely spaced rows of plants to operate, gardening could be accomplished intensively by the con-struction of raised beds of earth that are never trod upon and once built do not require annual plowing. Over the years, the numerous advantages of raised beds have been recognized as sound science. In reality, the method is not new at all. It was what most farmers and gardeners had been doing from the beginning of agriculture until they were coerced into trading their shovels and hoes for tractors and cellphones.It was along those places in lost antiquity, where people first traversed and later settled, that the natural template for the raised bed was encountered. Be they today called Amazon, Mississippi, or Mekong; it was the river that yielded up a yearly deposit of rich sediment, often in the form of a long narrow raised bar. By often duplicated trials, these mud bars were found to be ideal grow-ing sites for the many plants that were soon to be domesticated. In a conscious act of copying nature, raised beds were soon shaped by nascent farmers further away from the bodies of water that in-spired them. Then as now, the beds would be no wider than four feet, allowing the center to be reached from either side without having to tread on the soil. The height of the bed was obtained by digging out the soil of the walkway

that parallels the bed and by the accumulation of outside amend-ments. The length of the bed can be whatever suits the given site.Whether in the Andes where ridged beds were called “wacho”, or in Ireland where the term was “lazy beds” (possibly from the English epi-thet for the potato, the “lazy root”), the beds had the advantage of warming up sooner in the growing season than the surrounding flatlands and walking paths. This was a major advantage in cold boggy places across a swath of Europe from Ireland to Poland where the height of the bed

also provided drainage, which assures that plant roots do not become waterlogged. Recent research in Ireland sug-gests that the abandon-ment of lazy-beds just prior to 1845 helped potato blight to race through the country-side, exacerbating the

great Irish famine. This was because the blight spores were less likely to germi-nate in the comparatively warm and dry top of a lazy-bed than in a level field.Soil that is compressed by tractors, til-lers, or human feet can cause difficulty for water, air, and roots moving through it. This soil compaction can reduce crop yields by 50 percent. Walking only on the path in a raised bed garden, how-

ever, allows the soil to stay loose due to the action of roots, earth-worms, and the addition of organic matter. Vegetables can be planted

in beds at higher densities, spaced just far enough apart to avoid crowd-ing but close enough to shade weeds and to limit moisture loss from the sun’s evaporative effect on bare soil. Gravity becomes an ally, not only in alleviating boggy conditions, but in reducing a com-mon problem of alkaline soils. Saturated soils get a dose of lime, which raises pH, every spring via percolation. In a raised bed, gravity reduces percolation to a trickle from capillary action. Soil acidity can thus be maintained in the 5.8 to 6.8 pH range that vegetables prefer.Today the sides of raised beds are likely to be constructed of wood or stone, allowing the height of the structure to be as high as three feet. This allows access to the bed by even the handi-capped. Pressure-treated lumber and used railroad ties are popular materials for constructing raised beds; however, because certain gardening groups have raised food safety concerns about older varieties of pressure-treated lumber that contain arsenic, a newer wood treat-ment such as alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) is preferred. Creosote, which is used to preserve railroad ties, can cause injury to plants. The use of older, weathered ties decreases this liability. Naturally rot-resistant wood such as cedar is best. To more closely portray gardening of 132 years ago, the Heritage Farm kitchen garden will have a new look this year—lazy-beds! Come and check us out as we test the veracity of the above claims!

High Times for Lazy Beds by Walter Plinske

Wooden Raised Bed Diagram

Wooden Raised Beds

Lazy Beds

Mud Bars

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Click on program/icon for information and to register online.**To register online you must have a current SPD account with assigned PIN number. To create a new account, visit the

registration desk at the CRC and verify residency. Non-residents may call Spring Valley to set up an account.

ADULT

Harper College & Spring ValleyRegister through Harper College or call 847/925-6707. Class held at Spring Valley.

Blacksmithing for BeginnersSaturday, April 28 • 1-4PDiscover the timeless and practical craft of blacksmithing. Course: LEI0078-001

Home CompostingSaturday, April 21 • 9-11ADiscover solutions for many of the commonly assumed problems associated with composting. Course: LLG0064-001

Landscaping with Native PlantsSaturday, April 14 • 9A-NoonDiscover the beauty and environmental benefits of using native plants in home landscaping. Course: LLG0062-001

Traditional Home BrewingSaturday, June 2 • 4-6ALearn about the art of home brewing of beer, as practiced by this area’s German settlers. Course: LEI 0079

Cheese MakingSunday, March 25 • 12:30-4:30PMake hard and soft cheeses while learning the history and science of one of our favorite foods.

Get Out and PaintSaturday, March 10 • 9:00-11:00ALearn the basics of painting including equip-ment, easels, locations to paint and more.

Free - Going Wild in the Tame GardenTuesday, April 10 • 7:00-8:00PSaturday, April 14 • 9:00-10:00ABecome familiar with area native plants and learn ways of incorporating them into the home landscape.

Journey of the UniverseFriday, April 27 • 7:30-9:00PThis video guides you through time and space, sharing a view of the cosmos based on creativ-ity, connection and interdependence.

Nature’s Night Life - ADULTS ONLY!Friday, March 30 • 7:00-9:00PFriday, May 4 • 8:00-10:00PStart your weekend with a relaxing and enlightening evening walk at Spring Valley.

Perk Up! Coffee 101Sunday, March 4 • 1:00-3:00PBored with the cold, dull winter days? Perk up and come to Heritage Farm to learn about and taste different coffees!

Plein Air PaintingSaturday, April 14 • 9:00A-2:00PMeet and paint with other plein air painters at Merkle Cabin.

Power Vegetable GardeningSaturday, May 5-12 • 10:00A-1:00PThe course covers site selection, soil preparation, fertilization, watering, pest control and harvest.

Restorative Yoga at the CabinFriday, March 23, April 13 & 27 • 6:30-7:30PRecharge the body, mind and soul in a soothing, stress-free environment.

Vegetable Gardening in Small PlacesSaturday, April 29 • 10:00A-NoonLearn tips and techniques for making the most of limited space to grow sweet, crunchy vegetables.

ALL AGeSFree - Heaven’s WatchSat., March 10 • 8:30-10:30P ........... MarsSat., April 14 • 9:00-11:00P ............ VenusSat., May 12 • 9:30-11:30P ............ SaturnJoin Chicago Astronomical Society as they set their telescopes for a peek at the night skies.

Breakfast with the BirdsSaturday, May 12 • 7:00-9:00AEnjoy an early morning walk to look for Spring Valley’s colorful migratory birds.

Free - Spring Bird CountSaturday, May 5 • 7:00A-5:00PHelp count birds during the Audubon Society spring bird count.

Sundown Supper on the FarmSaturday, April 28 & May 19 • 4:30-7:30PHelp with evening chores, make supper and get a chance to watch the sunset.

Maple Sugaring-Originally published by Currier & Ives

Free Admission!

Presented by

Enjoy a pancakes breakfast with real maple syrup, sausage, juice and coffee. See authentic demonstrations of maple syrup produc-tion, a pioneer sugar camp, children’s puppet show, hayride and sales of syrup and other goodies. Click here for more information.

Saturday & Sunday, March 17 & 18

Sugar Bush FairSchaumburg park District's

Teacher’s Workshop: Botany for the elementary ClassroomSaturday, April 21 • 9:00A-4:30P & Sunday, April 22 • 11:00A-5:00PLearn ways to bring the fun of science inquiry to your students through hands-on investigations, writing, literature and games.$140 (National-Louis or Aurora University graduate credit available. CEUs, CPS Lane credit and CPDUs available)

Additional workshops are being developed. For up-to-date information, visit www.parkfun.com/Spring-Valley/programs.

Summer Camps at Spring ValleySpring Valley offers a variety of summer camps (full and half-day) for children 5-15 years old.For more information, call 847/985-2100 or click here.

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Home School Naturalist Group ProgramsSpring Valley Nature Center and Heritage Farm is the perfect place for hands-on, exploration based science programs. Offerings change seasonally, so check the program guide regularly.

Spring 2012 topics:• Animal Adaptations – Learn what adaptations animals have to survive and see how long you would survive at Spring Valley if you had these adaptations.

• Weather – Explore types of weather and build a simple tool to make your own weather predictions.

• Mosses & Mushrooms – Create a spore print, go on a search for mushrooms and build your own moss filled terrarium.

Available every Spring: Gardening, Springtime Growth, Wetlands, Conservation in Action and Woodlands

For more information or to schedule a program, call 847-985-2100.

&Sunday, May 6

10AM-2PM

This event features information on landscaping with native plants, composting, attracting birds, rain gardens, natural pest control, children’s activities and plant sale. Click here for more information.Co-sponsored by Schaumburg Community Garden Club

Native Plant SaleBackyards for

Nature Fair

Spring Valley Nature Center

Dolls, Dolls, DollsSunday, March 11 • 1:00-3:30PExperience how girls in former years used their imagination to make dolls.

Farmer Boot CampMon.-Fri., March 26-30 • 2:30-4:30PGet down and dirty as you help feed and care for the Heritage Farm animals!

Go Fly a Kite!Saturday, April 21 • 10:30A-NoonVisit Spring Valley to create and then fly your kite.

Home for the BirdsSaturday, April 7 • 10:30A-NoonDesign, construct and decorate a birdhouse for your favorite feathered friends.

Marvelous MudSaturday, May 12 • 10:30A-NoonDig in to uncover the messy world of mud. Come prepared to get a little bit muddy!

Spring DiscoveriesSaturday, May 12 • 4:00-5:00PChildren will explore spring’s bounty and discov-er what may be hiding in unusual places.

Spring Valley Spring Break CampMon.-Fri., March 26-30 • 10:00A-2:00PCampers will make crafts, play games and learn about the animals at Spring Valley.

Trees: Dead or AliveFriday, April 13 • 5:00-6:30PExplore the differences between types of trees, and why each has a unique role in nature.

Sunset Fire and Picnic on the PrairieSaturday, April 14 • 6:00-8:30PThis program provides insight into how impor-tant fire was—and still is—to natural areas.

Up and At’em Animal ChoresSaturday, April 14 & May 12 • 7:30-9:30AWake up and get outside to help with animal chores.

CHiLD AND PAReNTAll About Farm AnimalsTuesday, April 10-May 8 • 1:30-2:30PJunior farmers and their parents will learn all about the livestock at Heritage Farm.

Chocolate Bunny BuildingSunday, April 1 • 1:00-4:00PRelive history by making and decorating a chocolate bunny with your child.

Mondays for Moms and KidsMonday, March 26, April 23 & May 143:15-4:15PMoms, spend some Monday time walking and enjoying nature with your child.

Once Upon a Time in the KitchenSaturday, May 5 • 10:00A-1:00PListen to classic tales and learn what your child’s heroes may have eaten.

S­­­­­­­­­­­­­unday,­April­22­­•­­Noon-4PM

on the FarmSpringtime

$3 per person • $12 per family3 yrs & under Free

Spring brings new life and activity to the Heritage Farm.Activities for all ages include cow milking, plowing and blacksmith-ing demonstrations. Click here for more information.

Schaumburg park District's

Photo

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FAMiLYThe following programs have a special family rate. By registering ONE child, it is assumed that a minimum of two people (one adult and child) or a maximum of four people are attending. Do NOT register additional people, they may pay on the day of the program.

Natural egg DyeingSaturday, March 31 • 10:30A-NoonDye eggs using natural dyes and new techniques. Also decorate a basket to take your eggs home.

Night of the FrogsSaturday, May 19 • 6:30-8:00PRibbit! Croak! Peep! The evening chorus of frogs is a sure sign that summer is on the way.

Sundown Supper in the Sugar BushSaturday, March 3 • 4:00-6:00PHelp tap some maple trees, gather sap and tend the boil down. Then enjoy a pancake ‘supper’ at the cabin with real maple syrup.

TeeNSScience & Nature explorersWed., April 11, 25 & May 9 • 2:15-4:15PMiddle school students will explore our planet through this program.

YOUTHCooking and Candle ComboSunday, April 15 • 9:30A-12:30PParticipants will dip a pair of candles to take home, build a fire and cook using a Dutch oven.

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rarely seen, hatch two weeks later and the larvae immediately chew their way through the outer bark and into the tree.In its larval form, and the most

destructive stage in its life cycle, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is hidden from view within the phloem of the tree. The phloem is the portion of the tree that transports sugars and vital nutrients within the tree and is located

between the outer bark layer and the tough sapwood. EAB larvae feed

beneath the bark for several weeks from late July through October. During this time, the larvae excavate S-shaped gal-leries or tunnels throughout the phloem, occasionally scoring the water transport-ing tissue of the xylem, disrupting the transport of nutrients and water within the tree. Fully grown larvae will overwin-ter and pupate within cells located in the outer sapwood or outer bark during April or May and emerge as adults to begin the cycle again. EABs attack only ash trees (Fraxinus spp), with green and white ash being the most common varieties throughout the Midwest (see ash tree ID guide). It is difficult to detect the early stages of infestation; however, there are certain signs and symptoms to be aware of. Woodpecker damage will be visible in the upper branches and limbs at first, gradually appearing lower along the trunk as the infestation progresses. Woodpeckers will feed on EAB larvae under the bark of ash trees resulting in light colored pink/orange patches along the normally grey weathered ash trunks. A weak thinning crown and branches with yellowing leaves, as well as suckers and bark splits, are also good indicators of underlying infestation. D-shaped exit holes showing where the adult beetle has emerged may be visible and, when found in large quantities, indicate that infestation has most likely already occurred.There is good news! Researchers from the USDA and APHIS have found both natural and imported predators to help combat and identify EAB infestations. Three exotic species of Asian wasps (Spathius agrili, Tetrastichus planipenni-

si, and Oobius agrili) have proven to be highly effective predators. The stingless wasps, ranging from ant size to that of a pin head, attack the larvae and eggs. One variety of native wasp (Cerceris fumipennis), a ground dweller, builds its nest in sandy packed soils similar to that of baseball fields. After incapacitating the borer with a sting, it is carried back to the nest where it is consumed by wasp larvae. The carcasses are depos-ited outside the nest and can serve as an early indicator of nearby infestations. Although it does not hold much promise in controlling infestations, it does provide an excellent bio-surveillance tool.There are a variety of insecticides that can be used to protect individual trees and control small populations of EAB, but they are not 100 percent effective and can be quite costly. TREE-age is a trunk injected insecticide whose applica-tion is required every two years. It has had good success in healthy trees with no infestation and has sustained already infested trees with little decline. Costs per injection vary greatly, but are gener-ally in the 15 dollar per diameter inch range. For trees less than 8” in diam-eter, homeowners can apply a chemical called Imidacloprid (found at the local garden center) either as a soil drench or trunk/foliar spray. You should consult a certified arborist or municipal forester for recommendations before any treatment is done.The USDA has recently expanded the quarantine area to include the entire state of Illinois with confirmed infesta-tions in 20 counties and dozens of communities including Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, and Elk Grove Village. If you suspect an EAB infestation in your area or need help identifying an ash tree, follow the instructions in the link provided: http://www.agr.state.il.us/eab/How_to_submit_sample.htm (Sample)

http://www.stopthebeetle.info/Identify_Ash_Tress.pdf (Ash ID)

http://emeraldashborer.info/files/E-2938.pdf (Signs and Symptoms)

http://www.agr.state.il.us/eab/PDFs_for_web/Insecticides/Homeowner_treatment_guide.pdf (Treatment Guide)

Emerald Ash Borer by Matt McBrien

The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus pla-nipennis Fairmaire), a tree boring beetle from Asia, was accidentally introduced into southeastern Michigan in infested ash crating or pallets during the 1990s; however, the insect was not discovered until after it had already become well established and determined to be the source of ash tree deaths starting in 2002. Since then, the beetle has killed an estimated 30 million ash trees in Michigan alone with an additional 50–75 million in 14 surrounding states and adjacent parts of Canada. The potential threat is enormous with estimates of 7.5 billion ash trees throughout the United States. Its primary mode of transport throughout North America, beside natu-ral dispersal, continues to be the move-ment of ash nursery stock, logs, and firewood. The adult beetle is bright, metallic green and measures about ½” long with a flat-tened back that can be described as bul-let shaped. With closer examination, the wings can be spread apart to reveal the dorsal surface of the abdomen or back. This surface will be a bright metallic pur-plish/red color and possibly the simplest diagnostic character in distinguishing it from other native borers. Adult beetles are most active during the day from late May through early Au-gust, spending most of their time in the crown of the tree feeding on ash foliage (where they do little damage) for a week or two prior to mating. They generally travel less than a mile from the tree from which they emerged in search of a mate. After mating, the female will lay 60–90 tiny eggs within the crevices of ash tree bark. The eggs, difficult to find and

Emerald Ash Borer

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upcoming volunteer season! Please RSVP to Judy Vito by March 21, not-ing if and/or what you will be bringing to share at the potluck.

Farm Spring Cleaning WorkdayMarch 31Come out and help spruce up the Farm in preparation for its open season. Hands are needed to help clean buildings, prepare the kitchen garden, repair fencing, and other odd jobs. No need to be a farm volunteer to participate. We’ll be starting at 9am. Lunch will be provided.

Springtime on the FarmSunday, April 22Volunteers are needed to help our guests experience a busy spring on the Farm. Help prepare the fields and gardens for planting, do some spring cleaning 1880s style, or assist with children’s activities and food sales. The event runs from noon to 4pm.

Garden TrainingFriday, April 27Whether you’re a garden volunteer or an interpreter, come out and get infor-mation concerning the kitchen garden at the Heritage Farm: what’s being planted and where, how and why varieties were chosen, scheduling for its main-tenance throughout the summer, etc. We’ll be meeting from 5:30-7pm.

Dates to Remember• Sat., March 3 ...............8am-Noon

New Interpreter Training• Fri., March 9 ................9am-Noon

Conservation Workday• Mon., March 12............1-4pm

Handy Crafters Meeting• Thurs./Fri., March 15 & 16....10am-3pm

Sugar Bush Set-Up• Sat./Sun., March 17 & 18 .....9am-Noon

Sugar Bush• Sat., March 24 .............10am-Noon

Annual Farm Kick-off Meeting• Sat., March 31 .............9am-1pm

Farm Spring Cleaning Workday• Mon., April 9 .................1-4pm

Handy Crafters Meeting• Wed., April 18 ............6-8pm

Volunteer Reception at Chandlers• Sun., April 22 ...............Noon-4pm

Springtime on the Farm• Fri., April 27..................5:30-7pm

Garden Training• Sun., April 29 ...............9am-1pm

Conservation Workday

Volunteer News

Welcome New Volunteers…• Daryle Drew • Jeff Huebner • David Kives • Becky Nelson • Jim Rubly

April 1 Ellie Vogel Andrew Awdziejczyk Daryle Drew 10 Carol Cellini 11 Duane Bolin Jerry Brandes 12 John Walsh

14 Patty Ochs17 Ryan Ochs 19 Bill Bidlo 20 Jerome Dvoratchek 24 Charlie Loh 29 Mike Lynch

Happy Birthday to…March 1 John Curin Melina Lynch 3 Kevin Kaitis 4 Karen Kusek Judy Velan 5 John Witkowski 8 Jenny Greco 12 Austin Tipper

13 Alan Kraus 17 Barb Muehlhausen 23 Christine Curin 28 Bob Pautsch 30 Amy Vito 31 Ann Schooley

Volunteer Want AdsIf you are interested in helping with any of the following activities, please call Judy at 847/985-2100 or e-mail her at juvito@parkfun.com.

Conservation WorkdaysFriday, March 9 & Sunday, April 29Come out and spend the morning helping us with a conservation project. We’ll supply the tools; you supply the hands to use them. We’ll be working 9am-Noon on March 9 and 9am-1pm on April 29.

Sugar Bush Set-UpMarch 15Can’t help at the Sugar Bush Fair, but still want to be part of it? Join us the Thursday before the event to help set-up. We have a variety of activi-ties which need to be done. Come at 10am and stay for all or part of the day!

Sugar BushMarch 17 & 18It’s not too early to start thinking about the Sugar Bush Fair. If you think you’ll be available to help, please give me a call. Shift time is 8am-12:30pm. Remember – there’s a free pancake breakfast for all volunteers!

Annual Heritage Farm Volunteer Meeting at the Nature CenterSaturday, March 24, 10am-12pm (followed by potluck lunch) If you volunteer in any capacity at the Heritage Farm or just want to find out about volunteer opportunities there, you are invited to this annual volun-teer get-together. Attendance by all volunteers involved with interpretation, livestock care, and kitchen garden-ing is strongly encouraged. Staff will fill you in on the plans for the Farm for 2012. After the meeting, feel free to socialize and get to know fellow volunteers while enjoying a potluck lunch provided by volunteers and staff. Come and help kick off the Farm’s

Sunday WednesdayMonday Tuesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Farm Open march 17 & 18 10am-1pm

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Bold indicates volunteer activitiesItalics indicates programs which may be taken as complimentary by volunteersSee “What’s Happening” for program descriptions

M-F •Spring Valley Spring Break Camp 10am •Farmer Boot Camp 2:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

New Farm interpreter Training 8am•Sundown Supper in the Sugar Bush 4pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

Conservation Workday 9am •Get Out and Paint 9am

•Heaven’s Watch 8:30pm

•Perk Up! Coffee 101 1pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

Sugar Bush Set-Up 10am

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

Sugar Bush Set-Up 10am Sugar Bush Fair 9am•Dolls, Dolls, Dolls 1pm Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm

Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

•Restorative Yoga 6:30pm

Annual Farm Volunteer Meeting 10am

Sugar Bush Fair 9am

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•Nature’s Night Life 7pm

Farm Spring Cleaning Workday 9am•Natural Egg Dying 10:30am

•Cheese Making 12:30pm •Mondays for Moms and Kids 3:15pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

St. Patrick’s Day

Sunday WednesdayMonday Tuesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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APRIL 2012

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29 30Farm Hours: mon-Fri 9am-2pm • sat/sun 10am-4pm

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Bold indicates volunteer activitiesItalics indicates programs which may be taken as complimentary by volunteersSee “What’s Happening” for program descriptions

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•Home for the Birds 10:30am•Chocolate Bunny Building 1pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•Trees Dead or Alive 5pm•Restorative Yoga 6:30pm

•Up and At ‘Em Animal Chores 7:30am•Plain Air Painting 9am•Going Wild in the Tame Garden 9am•Landscaping with Native Plants 9am•Sunset Fire on the Prairie 6pm•Heaven’s Watch 9pm

Handy Crafters Meeting 1pm •Science and Nature Explorers 2:15pm

Schaumburg Community Garden Club 7pm

•All About Farm Animals 1:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Going Wild in the Tame Garden 7pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•Home Composting 9am•Go Fly a Kite 10:30am

•Cooking and Candle Combo 9:30am

Volunteer Reception at Chandlers 5:30pm

•All About Farm Animals 1:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6:30pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 8pm

•Restorative Yoga 6:30pm•Journey of the Universe 7:30pm

•Blacksmithing for Beginners 1pm•Sundown Supper on the Farm 4:30pm

Springtime on the Farm Noon •Mondays for Moms and Kids 3:15pm

•Science and Nature Explorers 2:15pm

•All About Farm Animals 1:30pm

•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 6pm•Weekly Yoga at Cabin 7:30pm

Conservation Workday 9am•Vegetable Gardening in Small Spaces 10am

Passover

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SCHAUMBURG PARK DiSTRiCT WeBSiTe: www.parkfun.com

e-MAiL: springvalley@parkfun.com

MeMBeR:

Vera Meineke Nature CenterThe earth-sheltered visitor center provides an introduction to Spring Val-ley’s 135 acres of restored prairies, woodlands and wetlands and three miles of trails. The center contains natural history exhibits that change seasonally, a demonstration Backyard for Wildlife, an observation tower, classrooms, an extensive library, gift sales area and restrooms.

Volkening Heritage FarmStep back into the past for a look at Schaumburg as it was in the 1880s – a rural German farm community. Help with seasonal farm chores, participate in family activities and games of the 1880s, or simply visit the livestock and soak in the quiet. Authentically dressed interpreters will welcome and share activities with visitors throughout the site.

Spring Valley is a refuge of 135 acres of fields, forests, marshes and streams with over three miles of handicapped-accessible trails, a museum featuring natural history displays and information, and an 1880s living-history farm. Spring Valley is open to the general public. Admission is free.

Vera Meineke Nature Center

Volkening Heritage Farm

Schaumburg Rd.

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environmental Outreach ProgramWe’ll bring our outreach program to your site. Topics include forests, worms, spiders, mammals, owls, food chains, food webs, wetlands, and the water cycle. Students will participate in hands-on activities, songs, and games. Topics may be adapted to students in grades one through six, and are correlated with Illinois State Standards.

Programs at Spring ValleySchool, Scout and adult groups are encouraged to take ad-vantage of Spring Valley’s Environmental Education Program. Programs change seasonally and are geared for specific age groups. Correlations to the state standards and activity sheets are available on the SPD website, www.parkfun.com.Learn local history with a visit to the Heritage Farm. Elementary and high school students recreate farm life in the 1880s with Hands on History; second graders experience it through Heritage Quest. Children from the age of four through second grade will learn about food, farmers, and farm animals in Farms and Foods.

Scout BadgesWe offer many opportunities for scouts. Our programs will help with your badge, pin or patch requirements. Call for more information or stop in for a brochure.

SCHAUMBURG PARK DiSTRiCTBOARD OF COMMiSSiONeRS:Mike DanielsSharon DiMariaDavid JohnsonGeorge LongmeyerBob Schmidt

eXeCUTiVe DiReCTOR:Jean Schlinkmann

SPRiNG VALLeY MiSSiON STATeMeNT:Spring Valley’s mission is to educate area residents regarding the natural and cultural history of the Schaumburg area and how people have and continue to interact with and upon the landscape.

Spring Valley • Schaumburg Park District • 1111 East Schaumburg Road • Schaumburg, Illinois 60194 • 847/985-2100

NATURAL eNqUiReR STAFF:Mary RiceEditorJudy VitoVolunteer CoordinatorDave Brooks“In this Issue...”Scott StomporGraphic Artist

Spring Valley Birthday PartiesLooking for a unique, fun, and educational venue for your child’s birthday? Spring Valley is the answer! Two party themes are avail-able. A hayride can be added for an extra fee. Call Spring Valley for more information.

Spring Valley Firepit and Shelter RentalsMake your next scout group, business or family gathering something special! Spring Valley offers the use of a picnic shelter and fire pit in a wooded setting near the Merkle Log Cabin. Use of the site includes firewood, trash/recycling receptacles and benches, as well as picnic tables. No alcohol or amplified music permitted. Restrooms are available at the Heritage Farm or Nature Center, a 5–10 minute walk. The adjacent Merkle Log Cabin contains a restroom and may be rented for additional fees.

Hourly use fees:Residents: .............$25 Civic groups: ..............................$25Non-residents: ......$40 Corporate/business groups: ......$55

HOURSNature Center Grounds & Trails ..............Open Daily ..............8AM-5PMVolkening Heritage Farm Grounds .........Closed .....................Dec.1-March 1

NATURe CeNTeR/MUSeUM HOURS:Year Round ............Daily* .........9AM-5PM

FARM iNTeRPReTiVe PROGRAM HOURS:Nov. - March ...........Open for Special EventsApril 1 - Oct. 31 ......Sat/Sun ......10AM-4PM Tue-Fri .......9AM-2PM Mon ...........Buildings Closed

*All facilities closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day

Unless otherwise noted, all programs are held rain or shine.

Participants should dress appropriately for weather conditions.