Volunteers for are needed for a new McHenry County Conservation District project related to phenology and climate change

Come to an orientation to learn how you can contribute to this important project.
Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m. at Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Ringwood.
Register with the Volunteer Coordinator at (815)338-6223 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phenology–the Next Generation: building on a volunteer legacy
In the early 1980’s dedicated volunteers from across McHenry County came together to create a unique and valuable project that in many ways helped to define land preservation and management efforts during the following thirty years. The “Phenology Project” was spearheaded by Joyce Perbix, noted wildflower photographer and conservationist. Under Joyce’s direction, dozens of volunteers fanned out across McHenry County documenting the bloom dates and locations of hundreds of species of plants over an entire growing season. Today that information provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to discover if plants are beginning to reflect changes in bloom dates based on changing environmental conditions, including what might be the beginnings of climate shift.“Phenology–the Next Generation” is a new volunteer program designed to repeat the efforts of that first corps of volunteers using the same plant species and locations surveyed in the early 1980’s. During the summer of 2012, trained volunteers will head out to some of the most scenic Conservation Sites to document bloom dates of specific native plant species and then report their findings to the District. This data gathered on the phenology, or timing of when events occur in nature, will allow District ecologists to compare current bloom dates with those documented three decades ago.

Do you have data from the 1980’s Phenology Project?
Are you one of the volunteers who worked with the District on the Phenology Project in the 1980’s? Do you still have old data, training handouts or photos that you are willing to share? While much of the original data is still in existence, not all of the years are represented in the District’s science archives, and any additional data would be a welcome addition. If you can help out, please contact Laurie Ryan, the District’s Plant Ecologist at (815)678-4532 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information please click on the this link.

Lake in the Hills Fen Walks 2012

FROM BARBARA KEY PARK ON SUNDAYS AT 2.00PM

MAY 20th Geology & Spring Flowers
JUNE 10th Birds & Butterflies
JULY 8th Summer Flowers & Butterflies
AUG 12th Summer Color
SEPT 9th Fen Appreciation Day
OCT 14th Fall Grasses & Seeds

Free guided natures walks, displays and literature. No registration required: just show up. All ages welcome.

For information call Barb Wilson (847) 658-0024 e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Visit us on the internet http://www.LITHFen.org

Learn to identify the flowers you see at Lake in the Hills Fen 2012

Botany for Beginners at 2.00 p.m.

Saturday May 26 Ryder Park
Saturday June 16 Barbara Key Park
Sunday July 15 Barbara Key Park
Saturday August 25 Barbara Key Park
Sunday September 16 Ryder Park

You will need (as appropriate): a wildflower field guide, a X10 magnifying lens, water, bug spray, sunscreen

Program:
Part of the Chicago Wilderness Habitat Project Light hearted hands on approach.

Leader: Barb Wilson
Plant monitor at the Fen for 10+ years, will take you to her favorite places to see and learn to identify a wide selection of the over 400 plant species there. See the site and many of its plants at www.LITHFen.org. Registration preferred but walk-ins welcome. Call 847-658-0024

Basics of Identifying Sedges at Lake in the Hills Fen

The next step for those who want to build on Botany for Beginners 2012
Meeting at Barbara Key Park
Sundays at 2.00 p.m.
May 12 and June  9

You will need a X10 magnifying lens and as appropriate Water, bug spray and sunscreen.

Program:
Light hearted, hands on approach like Botany for Beginners but be prepared for a lot more book work. Materials will be provided: no need to bring a book.

Leader: Barb Wilson
Plant monitor at the Fen for 10+ years, will take you to her favorite places to see and learn to identify a wide selection sedges there. See the site and many of its plants at www.LITHFen.org.

Registration preferred but walk-ins welcome. Call 847-658-0024