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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261024T133000
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DTSTAMP:20261007T203339Z
CREATED:20260604T180343Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261007T203339Z
UID:50235-1792848600-1792855800@www.naturalland.org
SUMMARY:OAKtober Hike 2026
DESCRIPTION:NLI invites the public to join in the celebration to recognize and honor OAKtober and oak trees by attending NLI’s 12th annual OAKtober Hike on Oct. 24th. \nNLI staff will lead a guided walking tour through the rolling hills of Burr Oak Valley Nature Preserve starting at 1:30 p.m.\, which will last about two hours. This is an exclusive opportunity to see Burr Oak Valley because it is not open to the public. \nOAKtober Hike is fun for all ages. Families\, Scout Troops\, youth groups and individuals will enjoy learning about the restoration process in the prairie and woodlands\, hearing about why the remnant dolomite prairie is so special\, and finding out why oak trees are a keystone species and their ecosystem is important. \nThere are 21 oak species found in Illinois. Common oak species in northern Illinois include Bur\,  White\, Swamp White\, Northern Red\, Pin\, Chinkapin\, and Black. See the list of native Illinois trees here and scroll to the Quercus sp. section. \nOAKtober\nSince 2015 October has been celebrated as Oak Awareness Month in Illinois\, otherwise known as OAKtober! Oaks have played an important part in the history of Illinois. The state tree is the White Oak. \nWhy Should We Care About Oaks?\nOaks are a keystone species which many other species depend on. Without oak trees life as we know it would collapse. Long living oak trees provide food and shelter for birds\, mammals\, and insects. Humans depend on the shade of oak trees to cool the air and their homes\, helping reduce energy use and costs. Oaks support the economy as a highly valued wood for many uses because it is strong\, durable and decay resistant. Oaks store more carbon dioxide than other tree species\, delivering clean air. \nCost\n $5 each\, $10 family (includes an introductory 6-month NLI membership) \nFree for NLI Members \nDress for the weather\, wear sturdy closed toe shoes. Hiking stick recommended. \nLocation and Parking:\nBurr Oak Valley Nature Preserve (7405 Elevator Rd.)\, across from Cross & Crown Lutheran Church\, 7404 Elevator Rd.\, Roscoe\, IL. Limited parking on site. Available parking at the church. \nAbout Burr Oak Valley Nature Preserve \nBurr Oak Valley Nature Preserve is a private 93-acre natural area surrounded by residential development in Roscoe\, Illinois. Natural Land Institute purchased the first 63-acre tract in 1986 with a generous donation from Julia and Eugene McCleary. The second 35-acre tract was donated to NLI by the McClearys and McCleary Industries in 2013. It became an Illinois State Nature Preserve and Nature Preserve Buffer in 2021 because of its high-quality features\, notably\, four state-listed plant species and one federally listed insect. A grade C dry dolomite prairie is also a significant feature. More information can be found at https://www.naturalland.org/burr-oak-valley-preserve/. \nRegistration requested.\nFor more information and to register call 815/964-6666 or fill out the registration form below. \nFill out my LGL Form!
URL:https://www.naturalland.org/event/oaktober-hike-2026/
LOCATION:Burr Oak Valley Nature Preserve\, 7404 Elevator Rd\, Roscoe\, 61073\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.naturalland.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/small-Sunny-hill-at-Burr-Oak.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Natural Land Institute":MAILTO:kjohnsen@naturalland.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261025T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261025T160000
DTSTAMP:20261007T215709Z
CREATED:20260914T213615Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261007T215709Z
UID:50686-1792933200-1792944000@www.naturalland.org
SUMMARY:Volunteer Restoration Day at Beach Cemetery Prairie
DESCRIPTION:Natural Land Institute in partnership with Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves will host this volunteer restoration day at Beach Cemetery Prairie Preserve.\n\n\nHelp restore life to this rare cemetery prairie. Be part of a team that will make a life or death difference for some of the last surviving prairie remnants in the Prairie State.\n\n\nThe work at this site on Oct. 25th will focus on removing the fence and the brush (that shades out prairie plants) along the fence line surrounding the Nature Preserve. Wear gloves\, dress for the weather in pants\, long sleeves\, and sturdy closed toe shoes.\n\n\nSpared from the plow 150 years ago…Pioneer cemetery prairies offer a rare glimpse into Illinois’ ancient past. In some cases\, they preserve the last remaining acres of original prairie in their entire county. These “botanical arks” of unbroken America are not immune to danger. To deal with brush and invasive species they need help. But few people have even heard of them. Will you help save an irreplaceable link to our past – and rare species and genes that may be key to our future?\n\n\nAll are welcome – no experience necessary. What you need is…\n-Passion for nature-Desire to learn “ecosystem medicine” through mentorship and hands-on experience.-Eagerness to meet new people and work together-A can-do attitude.\n\n\nFor more information about this and other dates to help at other cemetery prairies in October and to register visit:https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSeP655fXz0FKD…/viewform\n\n\n\n\nListen to Amy Doll (Executive Director\, Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves) on WNIJ share her perspective: Bringing Illinois Prairies Back to Life\n\n\nPhoto by Jill Kennay
URL:https://www.naturalland.org/event/volunteer-restoration-day-at-beach-cemetery-prairie/
LOCATION:Beach Cemetery Prairie Preserve\, 11500 East Big Mound Rd.\, Davis Junction\, IL\, 61020\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.naturalland.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/26-Beach-Cemetery-Pr-Open-House-Kennay-90-Copy-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Natural Land Institute":MAILTO:kjohnsen@naturalland.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261122T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261122T160000
DTSTAMP:20260914T215800Z
CREATED:20260914T215619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260914T215800Z
UID:50693-1795352400-1795363200@www.naturalland.org
SUMMARY:Volunteer Restoration Day at Harlem Hills Prairie
DESCRIPTION:Natural Land Institute in partnership with Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves will host this volunteer restoration day at Harlem Hills Prairie Nature Preserve. Volunteer activities will include cutting and burning non-native invasive brush in this rare remnant prairie.  Wear gloves\, dress for the weather in pants\, long sleeves\, and sturdy closed toe shoes. Park along Flora Road near the entrance.\n\nAll are welcome – no experience necessary. What you need is…\n-Passion for nature-Desire to learn “ecosystem medicine” through mentorship and hands-on experience.-Eagerness to meet new people and work together-A can-do attitude.\n\nQuestions? Contact volunteer@naturalland.org or call the NLI office at 815/964-6666.\nRegistration not necessary.
URL:https://www.naturalland.org/event/volunteer-restoration-day-at-harlem-hills-prairie/
LOCATION:Harlem Hills Prairie Nature Preserve\, 4979 Flora Dr\, Loves Park\, IL\, 61111\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.naturalland.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/pale-purple-coneflowers-and-yellow-flowers-24-Harlem-Hills_prairie-composition-DSC_1798_Jill-Kennay.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Natural Land Institute":MAILTO:kjohnsen@naturalland.org
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