Events for 2010

Plants of Concern Workshops

Workshops will be held from 9:30 to 3:00, except for the Wisconsin workshop, which will be from 9:30-2:00. This workshop will give you an opportunity to learn monitoring skills or to refresh your skills for the new season. New volunteers are required to attend one workshop. We ask any monitors who have never been to a workshop to attend.

What the workshop provides

• An introduction to Plants of Concern, a rare plant monitoring program for Chicago Wilderness, funded in 2009 and 2010 by the Wildlife Preservation Fund, USFS (Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie), and the Donnelley Foundation
• Training in the basics of monitoring techniques, including measuring and mapping populations and using a GPS unit
• A chance to meet representatives who will present their monitoring opportunities. Monitoring positions are available throughout NE Illinois and SE Wisconsin
• An opportunity to meet seasoned monitors who will share their experiences

Bring a lunch. Morning refreshments will be served.

Registration is required. A confirmation will be sent after registration and directions will follow shortly before workshop date. Please visit www.plantsofconcern.org to register on-line after February 1, or contact Greg Hitzroth, POC Research Assistant: ghitzroth@chicagobotanic.org (Office) 847-835-6856.

2010 is the 10th season of Plants of Concern rare plant monitoring. Coordinated through the Chicago Botanic Garden by Susanne Masi, POC has worked with land-owners and a dedicated corps of over 536 volunteers since 2001. Trained citizen scientists have used standardized protocols to gather invaluable data on 789 occurrences of rare plants over the past nine years. We are also affiliated with the Habitat Project of Audubon-Chicago Region. For more information - watch the Plants of Concern website for news on the program: www.plantsofconcern.org

Learn to Identify the Flowers You See at Lake in the Hills Fen

Botany for Beginners at 2:00 pm meeting at Barbara Key Park

Sat. May 22
Sat. June 26
Sun. July 25
Sat. August 14
Sat. September 11

You will need:
A wildflower field guide
A 10X magnifying lens
and as appropriate:
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.

Registration preferred but walk-ins welcome.
Call 847 658 0024 or e-mail LITHFen@aol.com

Basics of Identifying Sedges at Lake in the Hills Fen

The next step for those that want to build on Botany for Beginners

Meeting at Barbara Key Park
Saturdays at 2:00 pm
May 15
June 19

You will need:
A 10X magnifying lens
and as appropriate:
Water, Bug Spray, Sunscreen

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 wilde selection of the sedges there.
Registration very much preferred but walk-ins welcome.
Call 847 658 0024 or e-mail LITHFen@aol.com

NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY

A nationwide celebration of our Public Lands

September 25, 2010, 4 pm through 8 pm meeting at Barbara Key Park on Pyott Rd.

Come and help!
You will help collect seed to restore the prairie.
Complete a Nature Quiz to win a prize!

6.30 pm Twilight Hike with Flashlights
End the day with a hot dog and roast marshmallows to make s’mores as a thank you for your help.

All ages welcome.
Groups welcome but please call ahead, 847-658-0024, so we have enough hot dogs.
Sponsored nationally by Toyota & locally by The Nature Conservancy Natural Area Volunteers

Also visit www.publiclandsday.org

Last year 120,000 volunteers worked in over 1,800 locations and in every state!