<strong>NATURE CONSERVANCY</strong>
<strong>Volunteer workday Aug. 4</strong>
The Nature Conservancy will conduct a volunteer workday 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 4, at its Pembroke Township properties.
Volunteers should meet at the northeast parking area of the Mskoda Sands Preserve, on road 11000E, north of 4000S (Central Avenue).
Activities will include invasive plant and trash removal, seed collection, trail maintenance and having fun. Bring gloves, hats, insect repellent, water and snacks.
<strong>CAMP SHAW</strong>
<strong>Family camp coming up</strong>
Family camp is scheduled Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at Camp Shaw-waw-nas-see, on Rock Creek, adjacent to Kankakee River State Park.
Prices are $425 for first five people, $75 more for others, up to groups of 10.
For more information, check the website www.campshaw.org or phone 815-933-3011.
<strong>WILL COUNTY</strong>
<strong>Midnight Madness</strong>
Midnight Madness fishing will be held at Monee Reservoir 6 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Aug. 4 -- an unusual opportunity to fish the reservoir at night, when fish activity is often greater.
Standard reservoir summer hours are 6 a.m. to sunset.
Anglers are encouraged to bring flashlights and insect repellent.
Shoreline fishing is easily accessible, but assistance is available by calling 708-534-8499 no later than 48 hours before the program.
<strong>Thorn Creek birding</strong>
A bird hike for ages 16 and older will be held at the Thorn Creek Woods Nature Preserve in Park Forest 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 4.
The first 15 minutes will be devoted to information, calls, photos and props focusing on vireos. Bring binoculars and your favorite bird guide.
The program is free. Registration is required by phoning 708-946-2216 by Thursday.
Another morning bird hike, focusing on warblers, will be held Sept. 1 at Raccoon Grove Nature Preserve, at Pauling Road between Peotone and Monee.
<strong>MIDEWIN</strong>
<strong>Tours & trails</strong>
Unless otherwise indicated, tours and trail programs at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie meet at the headquarters' Welcome Center, off Illinois Route 53, two miles north of Wilmington. Advance registration is required by phone at 815-423-6370 or email to midewin_rsvp@fs.fed.us. Leave contact information in case of cancellations or schedule changes.
Plan to arrive for tours 15 minutes in advance.
Tours and bike rides also may be scheduled for special groups and organizations, generally on weekdays. To schedule, phone 815-423-6370 at least three weeks in advance.
<strong>Restoration hike</strong>
Restore your body and your mind while learning about Midewin's efforts to restore the prairie on this hike starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. Be prepared to hike 3 to 4 miles at a slow to average pace with several stops at interpretive points.
<strong>Past to future</strong>
Discover Midewin's past, present and future, from the comfort of your vehicle, starting at 1 p.m. Saturday. Tour stopping points include the River Road seedbeds, 400-plus acres of restored prairie in bloom and a bunker used to store TNT during World War II. Spontaneous wildlife observations will be included.
<strong>Bike tour offered</strong>
A bicycle tour of the ins and outs of Midewin will begin at 6 p. m. Saturday. Participants must provide their own bicycles. Heavier tread ties are recommended because the route includes both paved and rough gravel surfaces.
<strong>100th Illinois Regiment</strong>
At 10 a.m., August 4, the 150th anniversary of the 100th Illinois Regiment of the Civil War will be observed in a program and tour to honor the many men from the Wilmington area who served. Meet at the welcome center.
<strong>Midewin by horse</strong>
Midewin's equestrian volunteers will lead an interpretive horseback ride on the south Midewin multi-use trail starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, August 4. Horses and riders will have to cross bridges and cattle may be visible, but will not share the same trail system. Participants must bring their own horses. Meet at South Arsenal Road and Chicago Road.
<strong>N STARVED ROCK</strong>
<strong>Spirit of the Rock</strong>
Starved Rock State Park Lodge, at Utica, will host a "Spirit of the Rock" event on Aug. 12 in which people from all walks of life will come together to give honor to the spirits of Starved Rock.
Join Gwen Bray, Bonnie Potthoff and Gerard Beach as they lead a spiritual exploration through stories and native traditions.
The sounds of flutes and drums will enhance the event.
The "Spirit of the Rock" will take place 5-6:30 p.m. at Fox Ridge, the lodge's newest venture. Dinner will follow at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35. Phone 815-220-7386. Overnight lodging is available.
<strong>DNR</strong>
<strong>Pontiac praise</strong>
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has sung the praises of faculty, staff and students of Pontiac Township High School for working with DNR biologists on a project to reestablish the alligator snapping turtle in its historic home range in Illinois.
"Operation Endangered Species started in October of 2011 and Pontiac High School students are well on their way to making a difference in this species for future generations," a DNR release stated. They've been raising snapping turtles at school.
Their efforts were recognized with a resolution in the Illinois General Assembly that declared May 18 Endangered Species Day in Illinois.
The goal of Pontiac's Operation Endangered Species is to "Put the SNAP back on the map!"
Learn more about website operationendangeredspecies.webnode.com.