Embrace winter's beauty through outdoor exploration and indoor inspiration at the University of Illinois Extension's Winter Trails & Naturalist Tales from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Winter Trails & Naturalist Tales will be held at Torstenson's Education Center, 13735 Cook Road, Pecatonica, and includes three "naturalist tales" keynote speakers and an opportunity for a winter hike.
The first naturalist tale, Climate, Critters, and Nature, will be presented by Duane Friend. Duane will discuss weather trends and how these trends can affect Illinois wildlife and ecosystems, such as wetlands
The second naturalist tale, Fabulous Frogs, will be presented by Connie McIntosh. Connie will discuss the unique sounds we will hear frogs make in the springtime. She will talk about frogs' lifecycles, distinctive calls, habitats, food resources, and what they can tell us about our changing environment.
The third naturalist tale, Cloud Basics, will be presented by Duane Friend. Clouds are something that constantly provide a new scene to observe, from peaceful to violent. This talk by Duane will focus on how they form, discuss several types of clouds, and provide basic weather forecasting that can be done by cloud observation.
The fourth naturalist tale, Birds of a Feather at a Birding Hotspot, Nygren Wetland Preserve, will be presented by Kim Johnsen. Kim will share photos of birds from Nygren Wetland Preserve, which has a variety of habitats from prairie to wetlands to woodlands. This preserve is considered a birding hotspot in northern Illinois and attracts all kinds of birds. Johnsen will give tips on how to identify birds that have been seen at this preserve, describe their behavior, and tell you what kind of environment they like.
The second naturalist tale, Fabulous Frogs, will be presented by Connie McIntosh. Connie will discuss the unique sounds we will hear frogs make in the springtime. She will talk about frogs' lifecycles, distinctive calls, habitats, food resources, and what they can tell us about our changing environment.
The third naturalist tale, Cloud Basics, will be presented by Duane Friend. Clouds are something that constantly provide a new scene to observe, from peaceful to violent. This talk by Duane will focus on how they form, discuss several types of clouds, and provide basic weather forecasting that can be done by cloud observation.
The fourth naturalist tale, Birds of a Feather at a Birding Hotspot, Nygren Wetland Preserve, will be presented by Kim Johnsen. Kim will share photos of birds from Nygren Wetland Preserve, which has a variety of habitats from prairie to wetlands to woodlands. This preserve is considered a birding hotspot in northern Illinois and attracts all kinds of birds. Johnsen will give tips on how to identify birds that have been seen at this preserve, describe their behavior, and tell you what kind of environment they like.
Our Presenters:
DUANE FRIEND, Illinois Master Naturalist Coordinator and Climate Specialist with Illinois Extension. He has been with Illinois Extension since 1993. He has also been a County Executive Director for the Farm Services Agency and a resource conservationist for a Soil and Water Conservation District. Friend is a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) and the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP).
CONNIE MCINTOSH, Illinois Extension Master Naturalist. Connie is a lifelong resident of the Rockford region and has been interested in learning about nature since childhood. She has been a Master Naturalist and nature photographer since 2012. Over the past 10 years, she has presented programs throughout the community on nature-related topics. Connie participates in Citizen Scientist projects such as frog and bat monitoring. She also serves as an Education Volunteer at Severson Dells Nature Center.
CONNIE MCINTOSH, Illinois Extension Master Naturalist. Connie is a lifelong resident of the Rockford region and has been interested in learning about nature since childhood. She has been a Master Naturalist and nature photographer since 2012. Over the past 10 years, she has presented programs throughout the community on nature-related topics. Connie participates in Citizen Scientist projects such as frog and bat monitoring. She also serves as an Education Volunteer at Severson Dells Nature Center.
KIM JOHNSEN, Illinois Extension Master Naturalist since 2013 and Natural Land Institute's Director of Marketing & Membership since 2011, coordinates communications (newsletters, website, social media), plans events and educational programs, recruits and coordinates volunteers, and helps with fundraising efforts. She has given presentations about NLI, Conservation@Home, birds, pollinators, butterflies, bees, and wildflowers. She enjoys learning new things and spending time in nature. Prior to working at NLI, Johnsen was Executive Director at River District Association for 11 years and Dinner Theatre Administrator at Clock Tower Resort for 13 years.
Winter Trails and Naturalist Tales costs $15 per person, including three speakers and a self-guided outdoor hike. Pre-registration is required by January 23, 2025
Winter Trails & Naturalist Tales
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Torstenson's Education Center
13735 Cook Road, Pecatonica, IL
8:30 a.m. Registration and coffee/tea
9:00 a.m. Welcome: Margaret Larson, County Director
9:05 a.m. Naturalist Tale: Duane Friend, Climate, Critters, and Nature
10:00 a.m. Naturalist Tale: Connie McIntosh, Fabulous Frogs
11:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided
12:00 p.m. Naturalist Tale: Duane Friend, Cloud Basics
9:05 a.m. Naturalist Tale: Duane Friend, Climate, Critters, and Nature
10:00 a.m. Naturalist Tale: Connie McIntosh, Fabulous Frogs
11:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided
12:00 p.m. Naturalist Tale: Duane Friend, Cloud Basics
1:00 p.m. Naturalist Tale: Kim Johnsen, Birds of a Feather at a Birding Hotspot, Nygren Wetland Preserves
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact the Winnebago County Extension office at (815) 986-4357.
About Extension
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.
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