1 Northwest Illinois Audubon Society A chapter of the National Audubon Society An American Icon: Utah‟s Red Rock Canyonlands NIAS Monthly Meeting—St. John United Church of Christ March 1, 2011 7:00 p.m. Clayton Daughenbaugh, current Midwest Regional Organizer for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, will host a traveling presentation entitled “Wild Utah: America‟s Red Rock Wilderness”. In addition to a 15-minute multi-media slide show narrated by Robert Redford which documents citizen efforts to designate public lands in southern Utah‟s spectacular canyon country as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, Clayton will present on the current status of the Utah wilderness movement. NIAS Monthly Meetings: Held on the 1st Tuesday of the month. Oct.-Mar., location is St. John United Church of Christ, 1010 S. Park Blvd., Freeport; 7 p.m. for announcements and reports. Pro- gram begins at 7:30 p.m. followed by refreshments. April, May & Sept. special mtg. times/ place. Feb.-March 2011 Newsletter www.nwilaudubon.org The Bald Eagle became our National emblem in 1782. Did you know it is the only eagle unique to North America and that a Bald Eagle nest can measure up to 8 feet across? Picture by Carole Litus INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Calendar Considerations 2 Electronic Updates 3 Christmas Bird Count and Birdathon 4 Toward a Cooler Planet 5 Crane Count 6 Connections 7 GBBC and Birding Trip 8 Reptile & Amphibian Enthusiast—Pam Otto NIAS Monthly Meeting—St. John United Church of Christ Feb. 1, 2011 7:00 p.m Northwest Illinois Audubon Society will host reptile and amphibian enthusiast Pam Otto of the St. Charles Park Dis- trict. Pam Otto‟s program will feature reptiles and amphibians native to northwestern Illinois environments, and will also include basic training in frog monitoring. Pam Otto is currently the manager of nature programs and interpretive services, and she helps to oversee the St. Charles Park District‟s award-winning environmental education programs. What a great way to prepare for the Northwest Illinois Audubon Society „Pizza and Frogs” activity on March 25th! See the article on page 6 of the newsletter for more information. Picture by Carole Litus
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1
Northwest Illinois Audubon Society
A chapter of the National Audubon Society
An American Icon: Utah‟s Red Rock Canyonlands NIAS Monthly Meeting—St. John United Church of Christ
March 1, 2011
7:00 p.m.
Clayton Daughenbaugh, current Midwest Regional Organizer for the
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, will host a traveling presentation
entitled “Wild Utah: America‟s Red Rock Wilderness”. In addition to
a 15-minute multi-media slide show narrated by Robert Redford
which documents citizen efforts to designate public lands in southern
Utah‟s spectacular canyon country as part of the National Wilderness
Preservation System, Clayton will present on the current status of
the Utah wilderness movement.
NIAS Monthly
Meetings: Held on the 1st
Tuesday of the
month.
Oct.-Mar., location
is St. John United
Church of Christ,
1010 S. Park Blvd.,
Freeport; 7 p.m.
for announcements
and reports. Pro-
gram begins at 7:30
p.m. followed by
refreshments.
April, May & Sept.
special mtg. times/
place.
Feb.-March 2011 Newsletter
www.nwilaudubon.org
The Bald Eagle became our National emblem in 1782. Did you know it is the only eagle unique to North America and that a Bald Eagle nest can measure up to 8 feet across? Picture by Carole Litus
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Calendar
Considerations
2
Electronic Updates 3
Christmas Bird Count
and Birdathon
4
Toward a Cooler Planet 5
Crane Count 6
Connections 7
GBBC and Birding Trip 8
Reptile & Amphibian Enthusiast—Pam Otto NIAS Monthly Meeting—St. John United Church of Christ
Feb. 1, 2011
7:00 p.m
Northwest Illinois Audubon Society will host reptile
and amphibian enthusiast Pam Otto of the St. Charles Park Dis-
trict. Pam Otto‟s program will feature reptiles and amphibians
native to northwestern Illinois environments, and will also include
basic training in frog monitoring. Pam Otto is currently the
manager of nature programs and interpretive services, and she
helps to oversee the St. Charles Park District‟s award-winning
environmental education programs.
What a great way to prepare for the Northwest Illinois Audubon
Society „Pizza and Frogs” activity on March 25th! See the article
on page 6 of the newsletter for more information. Picture by Carole Litus
2
Calendar Considerations
Feb. 1—”Reptile and Amphibian Enthusiast—Pam
Otto”. NIAS monthly meeting, St. John United
Church of Christ, 7 p.m. See front page of newslet-
ter for more information.
Feb. 15—”Talking About the Issues” monthly dis-
cussion session 7-9 p.m. at the home of Violet and
I received a nice phone call from Chris Geiselhart, a
member of the Lake County Audubon Society, whom we
met through work with the Audubon Council of Illinois
(ACI). She had a number of questions about how our
chapter had gone about getting the Kill-a-Watt meters
into all of our local libraries. I was glad that they were
trying to do the same thing in their membership area.
As Chris and I reviewed the steps that our chapter
had taken, I said that getting the meters placed in the
libraries was the easy part. Getting folks to check
them out and use them is much more challenging.
Sitting on a library shelf collecting dust certainly
does the environment no good at all. The meters are
checked out just as one would check out a library book.
Then the meter can be used to measure the electrical
consumption of virtually any 110-volt appliance one has.
The meter has with it a nifty little instruction booklet
and some useful comparative data. This information
helps the user to get a better grasp of what the meter
numbers mean.
While some in our chapter have been able to make
very considerable financial savings by using the meter,
it is well to remember that each kilowatt-hour one
saves means that 1 ½ pounds of CO2 are kept out of the
atmosphere.
If you have used one of the meters, write a letter
to the editor of your local paper telling of your experi-
ence. That will help make others aware that they, too,
can profit from using the meter.
If you haven‟t yet used a meter, give it a try. They
are as close as your local library.
— Keith Blackmore
And since we‟re talking about energy, did you know…? Keith Blackmore and Lynn Feaver were featured in
the Winter 2010 issue of the Audubon Chapter
Networker, a resource of Audubon chapter leaders
across the nation in the article “Community Diets
to Curb Global Warming”. In the article, other
chapters can read about how Keith was inspired by
David Gershon‟s book, Low-Carbon Diet—A 30-day Program to Lose 5,000 Pounds, and how he and our
chapter Vice-President, Lynn Feaver, launched the
concept as a chapter program. They also mentored
students from Highland Community College‟s Stu-
dent Leadership Program and helped them take
the program to local schools. In addition, they
trained several Chapter volunteers as group lead-
ers, who then worked with small groups of commu-
nity members to assess their carbon footprint and
provide them tools to help reduce it.
NIAS also purchased 25 electricity load meters
and donated them to local libraries, as Keith de-
scribes in „Toward a Cooler Planet‟ this month.
Great job Keith and Lynn...we thank you and the
planet thanks you.
Lynn Feaver, Jeremy Dixon, Tim and Teresa Smith, John
and Anita Nienhuis and Mary and Keith Blackmore take a
well-earned break at the November Elkhorn Creek Biodiver-
sity Preserve woodcut. (Teresa is taking the picture)
6
PIZZA AND FROGS
Join us as we identify amphibians by sound at the
Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity Preserve on Friday,
March 25. We hope to hear Spring Peepers,
Western Chorus Frogs, Northern Leopard Frogs
and more. As the sun sets we may be lucky
enough to hear an American Woodcock as well.
Meet at the Preserve at 6 p.m., or if desired, at
Mimo‟s pizza in downtown Forreston at 4:45 for a
bite to eat beforehand. Dress for the weather
as we‟ll be walking short distances. For more in-
formation, if the weather is questionable, or to
connect with a carpool, call Blackmores at 815-
938-3204.
Picture by Carole Litus
JOIN US FOR CRANE COUNT!
Everyone is welcome to be a part of this year‟s Crane
Count on Saturday, April 16. Our count is included in
the larger Midwest Crane Count organized by the
International Crane Foundation (ICF).
Crane counting is an early activity but very reward-
ing. Pairs of counters are assigned a specific area
within Stephenson County. Counters are on the site
from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. on count day to listen and
watch for Sandhill Cranes. Following the count we‟ll
gather at a local restaurant for breakfast and to
turn in count forms. Prior to count day, new counters
need to view a short video from ICF that will cover
the crane census in greater detail and provide infor-
mation on crane field marks and vocalizations. Addi-
tionally, new counters are always paired with experi-
enced counters. Last year 30 participants at 14 sites
observed a total of 45 cranes, including 12 pairs.
If you would like to participate in this year‟s count,
contact County Coordinator Mary Blackmore at 815-
938-3204 or sign up at either the February or March
monthly meetings.
High-quality Prairie Protected with NIAS
Help In December, the Prairie Preservation Society of
Ogle County (PPSOC) was able to give the residents
of northern Illinois a wonderful Christmas gift: the
protection of the most valuable remnant prairie in
Ogle County.
The 83-acre parcel south of Oregon had been a
Christmas tree farm for the past 25 years. Despite
this, parts of the remnant prairie on the property
survived, and a 2007 survey of natural areas in Ogle
County confirmed its value in representing the pre-
settlement landscape.
PPSOC‟s purchase was made possible by a grant
from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Founda-
tion and other donations, including $40,000 from
our chapter. Our gift was treated as a “buyout” of
PPSOC‟s share of the Elkhorn Creek Biodiversity
Preserve, which the two organizations purchased
jointly in 1999. The money used came from the es-
tate of Clarence Mitchell, which gave our chapter a
bequest of $48,000 in 2009. Congratulations to all
those who worked to make the purchase possible.
Lucas Bradley, NIAS President, and Keith Black-more, NIAS Conservation/Preserve Management, sign the buyout document for Elkhorn Creek Bio-diversity Preserve.
7
CONNECTIONS: DAN AND DIANA NYE New Adventures
Dan and Diana Nye are always up for new adventures. Their latest is fearlessly taking on several acres of land
and a new home (new to them) near Cedarville, where they are raising free range chickens, who are producing
organic eggs. It is a new adventure, but they are equal to the challenge. “Once you do this,” Diana says, “you
understand why organic eggs are so expensive.”
They are used to adventure; they started traveling in the late 60‟s and went west for a year. They ended up in
the West for 16 years, living in California, Oregon, Mexico, Utah and Idaho. Dan, an electrician, worked in
power plants, and Diana usually worked in the medical field in doctor‟s offices. Their two children, Tracy and
Charley, were born in California. They visited national parks and nature preserves and enjoyed thoroughly the
beauty of the west. When their daughter Tracy was ready for school, they returned to Freeport so that she
could start school here and the children could get to know their grandparents and cousins. They thought this
would be a good experience for them for a year. That was in 1986. They stayed. In the summers, the family
would often be heading west in their camper, off to visit the national parks with the kids and having wonderful
times camping. But they were also glad for the pleasures of home.
Dan had grown up in Freeport, enjoyed camping with his brothers at what is now Oakdale. His mother was in
Audubon in the 60‟s. Diana grew up in Lena, at the edge of town; they were near a swampy area which was the
place of adventure for Diana and her friends; they would pack a lunch and be gone all day.
They took their own children camping — spent much time at Oakdale, where the kids were in “Little Critters” —
and they explored the Mississippi, relishing the great variety of birds they saw along the flyway. Also, they
took their kids on the Bird Counts.
Although heart surgery for Diana kept them home this past year, they hope to travel west again and would like
to get a small motor home; those with diesel Mercedes engines can get 20 to 25 mpg as opposed to the 7 to 10
the campers used to get.
They always have plenty of family to visit. Their son, Charley, lives in Urbana and daughter Tracy lives in Ore-
gon; there are also three children of Dan‟s from a former marriage, and there are 14 grandchildren, counting
biological, adopted, step, and foster grandchildren. Many adventures lie ahead...and meanwhile they have happy
chickens that are producing healthy eggs for all of us.
— Carol Redmore
Carol‟s Choices Carol is off to Jamaica but she did leave us with some „winter book‟ choices that are perfect for a slow read,
chapter by chapter with kids. These are a good „winter experience‟ for children and adults so cozy up for a
long winter‟s read with an eager child...and try not to think too hard about Carol in Jamaica.
Charlotte‟s Web by E.B. White
Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons by Il Sung Na is a nice book for
young readers...filled with rich illustrations and charming animals.
8
Bluebird Workshop
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 2nd and join us for
a jam-packed morning full of bluebird fun. Everything you
would ever want to know about these little blue gems will be
available at our bluebird workshop. Local experts will be
speaking on attracting bluebirds to your home, nest box know
-how, and the history of how this bright little bird has come
back after years of help from many individuals. More infor-
mation on time and location will be in the next newsletter.
Save the date!!! Picture by Carole Litus
Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird
watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the
birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watch-
ers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as
long as you like each day of the event. It‟s free, fun, and easy — and it helps the
birds.
To participate in this effort or to learn more about it, go to the Great Backyard
Bird Count national website at: http://www.birdcount.org. The website tells you how
to participate, helps you learn about birds, presents a photo gallery and includes a
wonderful section for children with:
bird coloring pages,
jigsaw puzzles,
words about birds,
a „Guess Who‟s Squawkin‟?‟ sound quiz and
how to make Marvel Meal bookmarks.
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SPRING BIRDING IN CREX MEADOWS Severson Dells Nature Center is sponsoring a birding trip to one of the premiere birding
spots of the upper Midwest, Crex Meadows Wildlife Area in northwest Wisconsin. The trip
is scheduled for May 9-13 and space is still available.
Crex Meadows contains 30,000 acres of wetlands, brush prairies and forests scattered
across a gently rolling landscape. This diverse habitat attracts a diversity of birds, both
migrating and nesting species. Some of the more unusual species that are common at Crex
Meadows include Sharp-tailed Grouse, Clay-colored Sparrow, American Bittern, Black Tern
and Brewer‟s Blackbird. In addition to abundant birdlife, a breeding pack of Timber
Wolves has been present since 1995. On the return trip to Illinois, time will be spent at
the Necedah national Wildlife Refuge to observe the recently established eastern migra-
tory Whooping Crane flock and other species of interest.
The cost for the 5-day trip is $400-475, depending upon the number of participants.
This fee includes transportation, lodging, over half of the food, leader services and a dona-
tion to Severson Dells. Leaders are Keith and Mary Blackmore, experienced birders and
trip leaders.
To register, call Severson Dells at 815-335-2915. Following registration, a $100 deposit
is required to secure your reservation.
For more information, including a trip fact sheet, contact Severson Dells or the Black-
mores at 815-938-3204.
Yes, I would like to give a gift membership in the National Audubon Society/