GENOA, Ill. - The annual WinterFest, held at the Natural Resources Education Center (NREC) in Russell Woods Forest Preserve, will be Saturday, Jan. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Russell Woods is located 1 mile west of Genoa on state route 72.
University of Illinois Extension and DeKalb County Forest Preserve offers this free event for families to get out, have fun, and explore an enjoyable destination. Illinois Extension staff and volunteers provide a variety of educational and recreational activities for the whole family. “This is a festival about the season of winter, so it doesn’t matter if we have snow,” said Illinois Extension Educator Peggy Anesi.
The morning will start indoors at the NREC’s bird-viewing window. Anesi will share tips and tricks for feeding and identifying our local winter birds. At 10 a.m., visitors can participate in a guided family hike through the forest preserve, followed by a presentation about becoming a citizen scientist at any age. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., children can create a make-and-take craft, including a pinecone birdfeeder, and get their hands or face painted with a choice of nature designs. Other activities include the Wisdom Hunt Nature Trail and an outdoor digital scavenger hunt. At 1 p.m., Extension staff and volunteers will present a fun Winter Survival Game Show with prizes.
The Genoa Prairie Gems 4-H Club offers lunch items at a modest cost to support their club.
There is no fee for the day, though the NREC graciously accepts donations to cover materials. It is a fantastic opportunity to bring family and friends for an activity or stay the entire day. For schedule: https://go.illinois.edu/WinterFest25schedule
Join us again for a day in the woods as we celebrate winter. For questions or reasonable accommodation to participate, please call Marian Termini, Program Coordinator, at 815-784-2000 or email mariantt@illinois.edu.
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.