Knoch Knolls Nature Center at Naperville Park District is closed this month, but is offering several fun, take-home, outdoor and virtual activities during the months of January, February and March, including Nature Discovery Kits, Virtual Nature Bingo, Virtual Nature Storytime, Hike with a Naturalist, a Woodcock Walk and a Scout weather merit badge. Additionally, residents are encouraged to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count February 12-15.
Nature Discovery Kits provide nature-themed crafts, activities and materials for families to purchase and use at home. The January Nature Discovery Kit, “Foxes are Cool,” guides families through fun activities to learn more about the red and gray foxes that live in our area and are active throughout the winter months. The kits are available for purchase and may be picked up at Knoch Knolls Nature Center on Saturday, January 23 or 30.
The February Kit features Valentine crafts and is available for pickup on January 23, January 30, February 6 and February 13. The March Kit includes crafts and activities to celebrate the first day of spring on March 20 and will be available for pickup March 6, 13, 20 and 27. Visit www.napervilleparks.org/nature for details and to purchase a Nature Discovery Kit.
Families can enjoy time together playing Bingo and learning about nature from 6-6:45PM on several Thursday evenings this winter. Led by a naturalist, Virtual Nature Bingo will spotlight different nature themes each evening. “Scaly Creatures” on January 28 will celebrate Rattlesnake Appreciation Day, with pictures and stories about Illinois snakes, turtles and fish.
“All About Birds” on February 4 will highlight local birds, just in time for the Great Backyard Bird Count, a national initiative that anyone can join February 12-15. The third Virtual Nature Bingo night for winter is “Baby Animals” on February 11. Additionally, tune in for three Virtual Nature Storytime programs scheduled from 3:30-4PM, where a naturalist will read a nature story, show one of the live animals at the Nature Center, and provide a fun activity to do at home. Topics include Hibernation Station on February 22, Fabulous Fish on March 8 and Terrific Turtles March 15. Learn more and register for the virtual programs at www.napervilleparks.org/nature.
Several free Hikes with a Naturalist are planned, giving residents an opportunity to get outdoors in nature and learn about local wildlife. A family hike takes place Saturday, February 6 from 10-11:30AM, an adult hike is planned for Saturday, February 20 from 10-11:30AM, and a Woodcock Walk for adults is scheduled for Saturday, March 20 from 6:30-8PM.
The Woodcock Walk will begin with a brief presentation about this short-legged, plump bird, and then participants will go outside to look and listen for “dancing” male woodcocks. Nature hikes are free, but registration is required at www.napervilleparks.org/nature.
Finally, Scouts are invited to earn the Weather Merit Badge by participating in a program led by a certified merit badge counselor from 10AM-2:30PM on Saturday, March 6. Learn more and register at www.napervilleparks.org/nature.
