Celebrate the Earth at Free Lake County Events

It has been 42 years since the first Earth Day laid the foundation for a global environmental movement.

In Lake County, Earth Day has turned into Earth Week with loads of nature activities and educational opportunities. There are events every day of Earth Week at the College of Lake County in Grayslake and at Lake County Forest Preserve sites.

April 15

Spring Celebration at Ryerson Woods, from 1 to 4 p.m. with sheep shearing, herding, hikes and games.

April 16

Playdate with Nature at Fox River Preserve and Marina in Barrington, from 4 to 5 p.m.  Children can build forts, hunt for critters and satisfy their curiosity

April 17

Photography for All Ages at Rollins Savanna in Grayslake, from 4 to 5 p.m. Learn the basics on how to take good nature photos.

How Green is CLC? at 10 a.m., Room T326, College of Lake County. Dara Reiff, CLC sustainability coordinator, will talk about the programs CLC is working on both in and out of the class to reduce its environmental footprint.

Batty About Bats, at 3 p.m., Room 326, College of Lake County. Lara Sviatko is conducting research on the status of bats in the Midwest region for CLC independent study project. This program explores the role of bats in our ecosystem as well as the benefits they provide for people.

Survival and Recovery of Federally Endangered Species in the Midwest and Beyond at 7 p.m., Room C005, College of Lake County. Kris Lah, endangered species biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will provide information on some of the science and technology that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and their partners use to help in the survival and recovery of federally endangered species in the Midwest and beyond.

April 18

Pond Life at Daniel Wright Woods, from 4 to 5 p.m. Learn how to tell how healthy water is by what is living in it. Then, use nets to catch small water animals, and identify what they are.

Bee Buzz, 3 p.m., Room T326, College of Lake County. Margie Porter, CLC engineering instructor will lead a fascinating hour of bee talk and learn some extraordinary facts about bees.

Snakes Alive! at 7 p.m., Room C005. Dr. Mike Corn, CLC professor emeritus, and Rob Carmichael, curator/director of the Wildlife Discovery Center of Lake Forest and CLC adjunct instructor, will present this kid-friendly program -- an up close and personal introduction to snakes and other reptiles! 

April 19

Adventures in the Biodome, 9 a.m., Room T326, College of Lake County. Steve Holman, associate dean, CLC Biological and Health Sciences division, a member of the 1997 Biosphere team, will share what it was really like to live in the Biodome.

The BP Oil Spill: Have We Forgotten?, 1 p.m., Room T326, College of Lake County. Shane Jones, CLC biology instructor will revisit what happened two years ago, what we learned and what the future holds for the Gulf.

Attracting Birds with Native Plants at 7 p.m., Room C005, College of Lake County.  Rick Sanders, Lake-to-Prairie Chapter of Wild Ones, will cover how native plants benefit birds, native insects and our environment, and how they can be incorporated into your landscape.

April 20

Family Fun Walk at Grant Woods in Lake Villa, from 4 to 5 p.m. Walk a 1.3 mile section of a forest preserve together with your family and community, in celebration of Earth Week.

Who’s Who of Owls and Local Raptors 9 to 11 a.m., Room T326, College of Lake County. Mark Spreyer, executive director of the Stillman Nature Center, will speak of the differences between hawks and owls and what special adaptations they have for effective hunting and hiding.

Horticulture Building - Family Night Hike at College of Lake County, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., led by Rory Klick, CLC horticulture instructor. Night hikes can be an engaging outdoor experience, especially for kids. This hike is designed for families with children ages 6-12. Many mammals are active just at dusk or dawn or at night. There are also a huge variety of insects and amphibians active after dark. Please register for this program by contacting Rory Klick at (847) 543-2320

April 21

Volunteer Day at Ryerson Woods, from 9 a.m. to noon. Celebrate spring, by lending hand to help save the planet by joining a special volunteer workday.

CLC Campus Clean-Up, 10 a.m. to noon. The CLC Environmental Club joins forces with other clubs to host the annual CLC Campus Clean-Up. Wear clothes that can get dirty. Meet at the C Wing entrance at 10 a.m.

April 22

Clean Water, Health Bats at Nippersink in Round Lake, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop in anytime. Learn about the relationship between water and local bats while picking up litter along the shoreline.

Meet and Greet Education Animals at Ryerson Woods from 2 to 4 p.m. Visit with Ryerson Woods' live education animals and feel furs and feathers of local wildlife on our touch table.

Community Garden Blessing, 1 p.m., behind the CLC Horticulture building. Local tribal elders, Two-Feathers and Little Feather, will call to the powers of creation – to Grandfather Sun, to Grandmother Moon, to Mother Earth and to our ancestors – that there may be good health and healing for this Earth. The elders will share drumming and the sacred pipe as part of the blessing and bring traditional native artifacts to view. Please wear long pants and shirts. All are welcome to join this special ritual and honor the native tradition of reference for the Earth and her gifts.

For more news and updates from Deerfield Patch, "Like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.