Memorial for Dorothy Wade June 13, artists invited to submit work portraying Nygren

From Natural Land Institute’s e-newsletter

A memorial for Dorothy Wade (1914-2010) will be held at Nachusa Grasslands at noon, Sunday, June 13.

Whether you knew this charming woman or not, you only need to be soft on prairies to join The Nature Conservancy in celebrating the life of Dot Wade, conservationist and friend.

A potluck lunch will be held at noon at Nachusa Grasslands headquarters, 8772 S. Lowden Road, Franklin Grove, Ill.

Photos will be shown from Dot’s long life. Perhaps you have a photo or story to share. After lunch, the group will go for a hike to Dot’s Knob and then Doug’s Knob and perhaps Wade Creek.

RSVP to Susan Kleiman at susan.nachusa@gmail.com or (815) 973-6650. For a map and directions, click here.

Artists invited to submit work portraying Nygren Wetland Preserve

Artists working in oils, acrylics, watercolor, photography or any two-dimensional media are invited to portray the natural landscape and wildlife at the Nygren Wetland Preserve and submit their creations to the Natural Land Institute for a juried exhibit at the Burpee Museum of Natural History from Sept. 24 to Nov. 30.

Anne Remington and Sheryl Almquist Hall, co-chairmen of the exhibit for the Natural Land Institute, announced the kick-off of activities beginning with “Plein Air on the Prairie Art Event” July 10-11.

“We chose those dates because the landscape will be a sea of color as far as the eye can see,” Hall said. “Artists can select a spot to set up their easel, or they can roam over this beautiful land. They will have the chance to see sandhill cranes in the wetlands, songbirds in the prairies and savannas and might even catch sight of the river otter family in Raccoon Creek.” Registration for the Plein Air event is required for submission to the Burpee exhibit.

Nygren Wetland’s 10th anniversary

The Natural Land Institute’s Nygren Wetland Preserve at 3190 W. Rockton Road west of Rockton offers stunning views of midsummer wildflowers in full bloom, and is full of the sights and sounds of nature. The conservation group is opening the preserve to artists and hosting the exhibit to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the restoration of prairies, woodlands and wetlands at the 721-acre wildlife sanctuary on the banks of the Pecatonica and Rock rivers.

The art exhibit is open to professionals, amateurs and children, ages 5-18. The Professional Division cash award is $750; Amateur Division, $250. Each entrant in the Children’s Division will receive a participation certificate. The public will be invited to view the exhibit to select the People’s Choice Award Friday, Sept. 24, at the Burpee Museum of Natural History. The People’s Choice cash award is $100.

For complete rules and an event registration form, call (815) 964-6666 or go to www.naturalland.org.