Nature at Night Pajama Party Ages 5–13 with Adult

A long Winter's night

A WINTER'S EVE

Winter is by its nature a quiet time. To dislike the winter months is to be unappreciative of the quiet patience of Mother Nature and the rejuvenating power of a long winter's nap come spring.

The season invites us to set a slower pace, a comfortable wander of thoughts and reflections. It is the season of long shadows as the sun sets earlier and lower in the sky. A late afternoon hiker is treated to the view of lengthy "leggy" tree shadows and deep views into woodlands unobscured by long fallen and dried out foliage. Slowly we adjust to the change in daylight hours, set outside our comfort zone of being active outdoors only with sunlight, and find delight in a winter's night.

Puffs of frosty breath are expelled as we push on for a starlit hike, accompanied by a favorite thermos of hot cocoa and greeted by a roaring fire afterward to warm our toes.

However, when we pushed ourselves to pile on the layers and get outdoors, we are rewarded by having stories to tell. We remember the night the great-horned owl, dipping from its perch, took flight and crossed directly in front of us; or the time the moonlight shown so magically it reflected sparkling white diamonds on the snow crested hill; or when three white-tailed deer got spooked from their winter route when we headed out on the candlelit cross-county ski. There was also that night on the ice when the loud rumbles from below conjured up images of Loch Ness monsters and giant sea creatures, simultaneously filling us with fear and awed amazement. I then reflect aloud upon the deafening silence that can occur during heavy, soft falling snow, leaving only the sound of my heartbeat.

Nature has a way of letting us in to see her unforced beauty, no matter the season, just waiting to be discovered by those who dare venture from their winter dwellings to experience a winter's eve. This winter, open the door, step outside.

Nature at Night

Pajama Party Ages 5?13 with Adult

Saturday, February 17, 7?9 p.m. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake Fee: R $3.00/NR $5.00 Code: 5580

Get into some comfy pajamas and join us for an evening of games, stories and activities all about local nocturnal animals. Discover who is out and about on cold, snowy winter nights under the moonlit skies, while you are usually tucked under the warm blankets of your bed. Make your own track field guide to take home with you so you can explore outdoors for evidence of nocturnal animals on future hikes. The entire program will take place indoors. Dessert and hot chocolate provided.

Geminid Meteor Shower Party

Adults and Families

Wednesday, December 13, 7?8:30 p.m. Marengo Ridge, Shelter #2, Marengo Fee: R Free/NR $5.00 Code: 5584

Grab a comfy chair and a warm blanket to observe a spectacular show of colorful meteors. The Geminid meteor shower, which can produce up to 100 meteors per hour, peaks on this night. Don't miss the phenomenal display of bright flashes of light crossing the sky as we sit under the stars listening to stories of the winter constellations. Enjoy hot cocoa and warm up by the roaring campfire! Dress for the weather.

Solstice Night Hike

Adults and Families, Ages 6+

Thursday, December 21, 7?9 p.m. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake Fee: R $5.00/NR $7.00 Code: 5604

The winter solstice brings our longest, darkest night to the northern hemisphere. For centuries this event has been a call for celebration; come find out why! We'll investigate old ways to celebrate this celestial event while creating new traditions, including a candlelight night hike ending at a warm campfire. Come dressed for the weather and prepared for outdoor activities. Please do not bring flashlights--we will let the candles and the stars light our way.

Winter Constellations

Adults and Families Friday, January 19, 7?8:30 p.m. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake Fee: R Free/NR $5.00 Code: 5578

Who is Orion and what is his story? Have you heard of the Seven Sisters? Just how are their stories intertwined? Under a hushed winter sky learn to identify a few major constellations and listen to the stories behind them. Dress for the weather and be prepared to be outside for part of the program.

Hike Under a Blue Moon

Adults and Families Wednesday, January 31, 6:30?8 p.m. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake Fee: R Free/NR $2.00 Code: 5606

The full moon has always been a source of mystery, myth and folklore in various cultures throughout the world. What makes this one a "Blue Moon?" How often do Blue Moons occur? Learn the answers to these questions and sort fact from fantasy as we enjoy a hike under the full moon. 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!

Change of plans?

Contact Prairieview Education Center at (815) 479-5779 to allow registrants on the waiting lists to be contacted. Unless otherwise noted, an advance notice of five business days is required to receive a refund.

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Youth 13 & under must be accompanied by an adult, except Just for Kids programs.Register online at .

Wonders of Winter

Hibernation Happens

Ages 6?9 with Adult

Saturday, December 16, 1?2:30 p.m. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake Fee: R Free/NR $5.00 Code: 5598

Listen to a hibernation story as you curl up in our toasty warm den, but don't fall asleep! We will discover what makes a true hibernator and then go outside to explore! Dress in layers for indoor and outdoor activities.

Wonders of Winter

Just for Kids, Ages 5?13 Monday, January 15, 1:30?3 p.m. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Savanna Room, Glacial Park, Ringwood Fee: R Free/NR $2.00 Code: 5592

Kids learn about animals and plants in the winter! Dress in layers for indoor and outdoor activities.

Discovery Days

Ages 2?6 with Adult

Monday, December 4, 10?11 a.m. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake Fee: R Free/NR $5.00 Code: 5583

Wednesday, January 24, 10?11 a.m. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Savanna Room, Glacial Park, Ringwood Fee: R Free/NR $5.00 Code: 5601

Wednesday, February 7, 10?11 a.m. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake Fee: R Free/NR $5.00 Code: 5607

Enjoy an hour of fun including a game, craft, snack and other educational activities all based around the special theme of the day.

Nature Play Open House

Ages Infant?5 with Adult Thursday, January 18, 10 a.m.?12 p.m. Prairieview Education Center, Crystal Lake Fee: R Free/NR $5.00 Code: 5577

Parents and tots are invited to experience the fun and learning available at Prairieview Education Center. Play with nature puzzles, games, puppets and more. A guided hike will be hosted at 11 a.m. A craft table will be set up throughout the program. If you plan to join the hike, dress for the weather and think snow!

That's Gross

Ages 5?13 with Adult Sunday, February 11, 1:30?3 p.m. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Savanna Room, Glacial Park, Ringwood Fee: R Free/NR $5.00 Code: 5596

Did you know some animals eat their own poop? Learn about the gross things animals do and why they do them.

Hoar Frost/Val Siler

SNOW/FROST/SNOWFLAKES/CRYSTALS

When people say snowflake, they really mean snow crystal. A single crystal of ice, within which the water molecules are all lined up in a precise hexagonal array is a snowflake. A snowflake can mean an individual snow crystal or just about anything that falls from the winter clouds. Hundreds, even thousands of snow crystals collide and stick together in mid-air as they fall, forming flimsy puff-balls we call snowflakes.

Nothing inspires winter photography more than when you awake to a winter wonderland of frosty crystals affixed to windows and branches known as hoar frost.

The challenge with the existence of hoar frost is that in order for it to form, there has to be some seriously humid air around. Typically our winter months include cold, dry air that easily chaps our lips and ungloved fingers. Cold air simply can't hold as much moisture as warmer air can. However, if snow on the ground warms enough during the day to start to melt, some of the liquid water evaporates, increasing the humidity within the snowpack. When night falls, the surface of the snow cools rapidly, but the interior of the snowbank doesn't cool as fast. The humid air that works its way towards the chilly surface can feed the growth of hoar frost crystals and ta-da, hoar frost forms on branches and dried stems of plants with a delicate, feathery appearance. But best get out early to snap those pictures, surface hoar frost often vanishes once the sun has risen and warmed the surface of the snowpack.

Another type of snow crystal, known as Rime ice, forms when liquid water droplets in the air freeze onto a surface, growing into combs, needles or feathery forms. Rime grows over the course of many hours, as a freezing fog lingers for most of a night and following morning. To tell the difference between hoar frost and rime, the rule is if it goes from gas to solid, it's hoar frost; if it goes from liquid to solid, it's rime.

Whatever you call it, it's pretty.

Nature's Preschool: Winter Birds

Just for Kids, Ages 3 ??5

Fridays, January 12, 19, 26 & February 2 9:30?11:30 a.m. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Tallgrass Classroom, Glacial Park, Ringwood Fee: R $10.00/NR $13.00 Code: 5591

Is your little one ready to explore the outdoors in a preschool-style setting, away from mom and dad? Then send them off to learn about our theme for the day, have outdoor exploration time, eat a snack, and work on a craft, all under the supervision of experienced Conservation District educators. Children must be 3 ? years by the start of the program and must be toilet-trained. This is a dropoff program. A healthy snack is provided. Bring a water bottle. Dress in layers for indoor and outdoor activities.

Cooper's Hawk/Bob Williams

Youth 13 & under must be accompanied by an adult, except Just for Kids programs.Register online at .

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