In This Issue

FPD 365

Photo Contest

Osprey Success

Chicago Powwow

New Projects, New Tools

Preserves & Abandoned Pets

Celebrate NPLD

Events

Forest Jam: Ghanatta

Tue., August 5
(Pre-activities start at 5:30 pm. Concert runs from 6:30 to 8 pm.)

Dan Ryan Pavilion, Grove 5

87th and Western, Chicago

Head out to our summer concert series and participate in group jam sessions, learn about making instruments from natural and recycled materials and enjoy concerts by local musicians.

A River Thru History, Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous

Saturday, Sept 6 * 10 am - 5 pm & Sunday, Sept 7 * 10 am - 4 pm

Columbia Woods, Willow Springs Rd south of German Church Rd, Willow Springs

Look back 200 years to frontier life and enjoy food, music, crafts, reenactments, canoe races, games and more. Park free at UPS parking lot at Willow Springs Rd and 75th St and take the shuttle bus. Adult admission $10. Free for kids under 6. Cash only. Click here for more info.

Recreate in Calumet: Family Fishing Event

Saturday, Sept 6 * 10 am - 2 pm

Wolf Lake, 12949 Avenue O, Chicago

Fishing rod and tackle will be provided to use and keep. Event is free but registration is required. Space is limited. Register at fotfp.org/ or call 312-356-9990. Registration begins at 9 am.

Afterschool Archery

Wednesday, Sept 10 * 5 - 7 pm

Thatcher Woods, 8030 W Chicago Ave, River Forest

Relax and refocus after school with the ancient art of archery. Instruction and equipment provided. Ages 10 & up. Parents welcome. Pre-registration required for all workshops. Call 708-771-1010 to reserve a spot. Space is limited.

Fishin' Buddies Fall Fishing Derby

Saturday, Sept 13 * 8 am - 2 pm

Wampum Lake, I-90/94 & Thornton Lansing Rd, Thornton-Lansing

This annual family fishing derby is perfect for all skill levels. Register at fbderby.com

61st Annual American Indian Pow Wow

Saturday, Sept 13 * 10 am - 8pm; Grand Entries at noon and 6 pm

Sunday, Sept 14 * 10 am - 5pm; Grand Entry at noon

Busse Woods South, Higgins Rd east of I-290, Elk Grove Village

This event features Native American dance, drumming, food, art wares, films and fun. Don't miss traditional dance competitors from all over the country! In partnership with the American Indian Center of Chicago. Admission $10 - 15. Click here for more info.

Wellness in the Woods

Tuesday, Sept 16 * 5 - 7 pm

Rolling Knolls, 11N260 Rohrssen Rd, Elgin

Reap the benefits of exercising outside in nature. This workout includes heart rate monitoring, circuit and interval training, simple stretching tips, dance and more. All ages. Call 708-771-1023 to register.

Forest Jam: Steckman Studio
Thursday, Sept 18 * 5:30 - 8 pm

Cummings Square, 536 N Harlem Ave, River Forest

This series explores nature, art and more. This month, enjoy the sounds of Steckman Studio, featuring Outloud After School Performers and Low End Theory. Jam with the musicians using instruments made out of natural and recycled materials.

Archaeology Day

Saturday, Sept 20 * 10 am - 3 pm

Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 S. Paxton, South Holland

Join us for activities that promote a better understanding and appreciation of historic Native American culture. Enjoy archaeology displays, guided hikes, activities and crafts.

Saganashkee Slough Paddle

Saturday, Sept 20 * 10 am - 1pm

Saganashkee Slough Boat Launch, 11672 W 107th St, Lemont

Join our morning paddle as we take a look at the diverse habitats of this area. Instruction provided. Bring your own canoe or use one of ours. Limited number of boats available. Call 708-771-1010 to reserve a spot.

Recreate in Calumet: Paddle Powderhorn

Saturday, Sept 20 * 10 am - noon

Powderhorn Lake, 13843-14387 S Brainard, Burnham

Perfect for beginner paddlers. Free binoculars provided for all participants. Events is free but registration is required. Space is limited. Register at fotfp.org or call 312-356-9990.

Art in Nature

Sunday, Sept 21 * 10 am - 4 pm

Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Rd, Barrington Hills

Watch artists as they paint along our trails. Listen to live music, view additional artwork for sale and vote for your favorite artist. Adults and kids, learn to create your own artwork-materials and instruction provided.

Afterschool Outdoor Adventures: Tracking Nature

Wednesday, Sept 24 * 5 - 7 pm

Dan Ryan Woods Pavilion, 87th and Western, Chicago

Join us to investigate different habitats and look for native animal tracks. We'll play games, hike and create our "own" tracks using a print-making process. Call 708-771-1010 to reserve a spot.

Hike and Seek

Saturday, Sept 27 * noon - 3 pm

Bemis Woods, Ogden Ave and Wolf Rd, Western Springs

Explore nature trails with fun activities, learning stations and a scavenger hunt. Hosted by the National Wildlife Federation. Fee and registration required. Visit nwf.org for more info.

Family Night Out: Stars, Stories and S'mores

Saturday, Sept 27 * 6 - 9 pm

Thatcher Woods, 8030 W Chicago Ave, River Forest

Bring the family and enjoy an evening in the forest. We'll have a fire, storytelling, snacks and other nature activities.

Photo Meet Up

Saturday, September 27 * 10 am

River Trail Nature Center, 3120 N Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook

This photo series provides naturalist-led tours of a natural area, highlighting interesting plants, scenic vistas and locations frequented by wildlife. Capture images and share tips with fellow photographers. All skill levels and camera types are suitable.

For details and a full event listing including all regular events at our six nature centers, visit our Events page.

FPD 365 in July

Kris DaPra, aka FPD 365, is taking one photo of the forest preserves every day in 2014. Some August highlights:

August 2, 2014: Blazing Star beginning to bloom.

August 4, 2014: February 5 revisited. (See February 5 photo here)

August 11, 2014: Ruby-throated Hummingbird sipping at Royal Catchfly.

View DaPra's FPD 365 photos full-sized here...

WATCH OUR MISSION IN ACTION

by Forest Preserves President Toni Preckwinkle

In last month's Forest Way I thanked the many volunteers that help the Forest Preserves of Cook County carry out our mission. We need these dedicated citizens out in the preserves supporting our efforts, but we also need dedicated citizens involved in the governing process that makes these preserves possible in the first place.

That's why I'd like to invite you to attend a meeting of the Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners. These monthly meetings allow you to witness important discussion of current topics and decisions about future plans. Anyone with a comment or concern is able to address myself, the commissioners and Forest Preserves leadership at these meetings. This is the place to make your voice heard.

While generally held at the County Building in downtown Chicago, September's meeting will take place at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center in Lemont. This beautiful nature center is surrounded by 100 acres of dolomite prairie and acts as the gateway to Cook County's only canyon. This is a truly fitting setting to observe the connection between the business of running the Forest Preserves and the benefits that the public enjoys each day.

I hope you will join me this month, or in the future, to watch our mission in action.

Meeting details:

Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners September Meeting
September 9, 10 am
Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
12545 West 111th St, Lemont, IL 60439

For a complete list of upcoming board meetings, or to sign up to testify at a meeting, visit fpdcc.com/board-meetings. Agendas are published 48 hours before each meeting.

THIRD ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST:
POST YOUR BEST SHOTS ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM

Last Year's Winner: Tufted Titmouse by Tyler Craig Grudowski, Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

Submissions due by September 15

It's that time of year again! We're looking for your very best photos of Forest Preserves landscapes, close-ups of plants, insects, birds and other wildlife, pictures that highlight the seasons and shots of people enjoying the outdoors or participating in our recreational offerings.

This year's winning photos will be showcased in the 2015 Forest Preserves of Cook County Wall Calendar, on FPDCC.com, on Forest Preserves social media accounts, in an exhibit displayed at the Cook County Building in downtown Chicago and in various suburban courthouses. Each winning photographer will also receive 10 copies of the calendar as well as a Forest Preserves prize package.

For submission details and contest rules, visit fpdcc.com/photocontest.

CREATIVE PLATFORMS BREED OSPREY SUCCESS

Watching an osprey soar overhead is a breathtaking experience. These grand birds can reach up to two feet in length and display a six-foot wingspan--a striking sight when silhouetted against a bright blue sky. While once scarce in the region, spotting these birds in Cook County is no longer a rare experience thanks to some repurposed electric poles and a little engineering.

Even with such remarkable proportions, ospreys were still vulnerable to the widespread use of DDT that began in the 1940s. The toxic effects of DDT and other pesticides resulted in many ospreys producing nonviable or infertile eggs, leading to a significant decline in osprey populations during the following decades.

Read more...

POWWOW CELEBRATES THE NATIVE CULTURE THRIVING IN COOK COUNTY

Before you are close enough to see the dance or smell the food, you hear the drum. At every powwow, the steady beat of the drum creates the "Heartbeat of Mother Earth" for dancers and visitors alike. This year's 61st Annual Chicago Powwow, held September 13 and 14 at Busse Woods, will be no different.

The American Indian Center (AIC) holds powwows from spring to fall each year, but their Annual Chicago Powwow is their largest, celebrating more than 150 tribes from across the U.S. and Canada. The event, which drew over 10,000 people last year, features dance exhibitions and competitions, an arts and crafts marketplace and one of your only chances to sample Native American food in Illinois.

"The American Indian Center serves as the reservation for the many tribes of people who come here to learn about Native culture and tradition. The Annual Powwow is just the biggest celebration. It shows that you don't have to go to a reservation, there are Native people practicing the culture here in the city," said Cyndee Fox-Starr, the AIC's special events coordinator.

ENHANCING OUR PRESERVES FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS

Representatives from the Forest Preserves and Chicago Botanic Garden at the North Branch Trail northern extension site.

If you've been out in the forest preserves lately, you may have encountered a sign that read: "Enhancing Our Preserves for the Next 100 Years." As we celebrate our centennial, we are breaking ground on a number of projects throughout the preserves to help restore native ecosystems, enhance facilities and add exciting new possibilities.

To help you keep track of current projects taking place at your local preserves, we have developed a webpage that documents key information on these improvements. Additionally, this tool includes closures related to weather, prescribed burns and other issues that may affect your visit. You can access this information at fpdcc.com/improvements.

We would also like to highlight two major projects nearing significant milestones--the opening of the northern extension of the North Branch Trail and the completion of 658 acres of restoration at Orland Grassland. We invite you to celebrate these accomplishments with us in the coming weeks, and, of course, enjoy them for years to come:

Orland Grassland Ribbon Cutting & Summer's End Guided Site Walk
Saturday, September 6
Ribbon cutting: 9:30 - 10:30 am, Guided walks: 10:30 am - 12 pm
Orland Grassland
At entrance on 167th street, just west of S. La Grange Road
16700 S. La Grange Road
Orland Park, IL 60467 (map)
More event information > | More project information >

North Branch Trail Northern Extension Opening Celebration
Saturday, September 13, 2 - 4 pm
Chicago Botanic Garden
Across from the entrance to McDonald Woods
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, IL 60022 (map)
More event and project information >

PRESERVES AND ABANDONED PETS AN UNHEALTHY MIX

A pet store goldfish may not last long under the care of a young child, but it can often thrive in a local forest preserve pond. Goldfish are prolific reproducers and bottom feeders that can quickly disrupt an aquatic ecosystem.

Both state and county law prohibit residents from abandoning pets or releasing nuisance animals outside, but a variety of exotic species are still found in preserves each year. "A lot of people think they are setting these pets free to be in their natural environment. But the reality is, these animals don't belong here," said Forest Preserves fisheries biologist Steve Silic. "Animals purchased in pet stores typically are not native to this exact area, because it is illegal to sell wild, native animals in Illinois," he explained.

The variety of exotic animals, mostly former pets, found in the preserves is truly astounding. "We've found anything you can imagine in the 30 years I've been around. We've seen lab rats, boa constrictors, pythons, parakeets, domestic rabbits, piranhas, at least fourteen different species of exotic turtles and, of course, many cats and dogs," said Forest Preserves wildlife biologist Chris Anchor.