Conservation Day-Camp at Nygren Wetland Preserve

From press release

Local land conservation organizations will host a Conservation Day-Camp at the Nygren Wetland Preserve west of Rockton, Ill., July 12-16. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day and offers hands-on educational opportunities in a natural setting to youngsters in grades 7 through 10.

Greg Keilback of the Natural Land Institute said local groups will lead the activities.

“Severson Dells Nature Center will host Adventures in the Wetlands on day one, followed the next day by the Rockford Park District’s Ecosystems of Northern Illinois,” Keilback said. “On subsequent days, there will be programs by the Winnebago County Soil and Water Conservation District on Soil Ecology, by Pheasants Forever on Conservation Ethics, by Nicholson Lawn and Garden on Tools of the Trade, and by the Natural Land Institute on the restoration of the Nygren Wetland Preserve.”

Don Miller, executive director at Severson Dells Nature Center, said his organization is participating in the Conservation Camp because hands-on nature education has been the group’s goal for more than 30 years.

“We at Severson Dells know that hands-on experiences and spending time in the outdoors gives one a healthier life both physically and mentally, gives meaning to one’s life and instills a sense of place in the community,” Miller said.

The Natural Land Institute is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Nygren Wetland Preserve in 2010. NLI has largely restored the site to its native state—100 acres of prairie, 150 acres of woodland and 450 acres of wetlands. Among the many bird and animal species that have returned to the preserve are sandhill cranes, river otters and Blanding’s turtles.

Cost of the camp is $150 per child. To reduce the cost by $50, children are encouraged to submit an essay about conservation and how it has impacted their life. Essay must be submitted before camp starts July 12, and be at least half a page in length, and no more than two pages. Info: Greg Keilback at (815) 298-5095.

From the June 30-July 6, 2010 issue