Wildflower Weekend July 16-18 at Nygren Wetland Preserve

Great blue heron at Nygren Preserve. Photo by Mark Blassage

From press release

Families and adults are invited to Wildflower Weekend at the Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 W. Rockton Road, Rockton, Ill., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 16-18. The free event offers visitors a profusion of prairie wildflowers in full bloom to enjoy and a variety of fun-filled activities and programs.

Friday, July 17: Walk through acres of wildflowers. Enjoy stunning views of midsummer wildflowers in full bloom at the 721-acre preserve. Learn about the prairie plants that inspired the name “Prairie State” for Illinois.

Saturday, July 18: Children and Families Day with ongoing activities for children and the whole family. Learn about wildlife and wildflowers from local naturalists and about wildlife rehabilitation from “Hoo” Haven.

Sunday, July 19: Self-guided walks and picnics. Take a break from the hectic world and spend a few hours in the quiet, embracing solitude of nature, watch birds and see other wildlife. Bring a picnic to eat in the shade of the oak grove.

The Nygren Wetland Preserve is 1 mile west of Rockton. It is owned by the Natural Land Institute, a not-for-profit, private, member-supported organization conserving land in northern Illinois since 1958. The preserve is being restored to protect water quality, soils, native plants and animals. Since this is a wildlife sanctuary, dogs and other companion animals are not allowed.

For directions and information, call (815) 964-6666, visit www.naturalland.org or e-mail nli@aol.com.

From the July 14-20, 2010 issue