April 14, 2013

DRAWN to NATURE II:
Herbarium Demonstration

Ever thought of creating an herbarium of the flowers in your garden?  Here's your chance to learn how.

 

Kingbird Highway: The Biggest Year in the Life of an Extreme Birder

Now revered as one of North America's top birders, Kenn Kaufman hit the road at age sixteen and spent a year crisscrossing the country to see as many birds as he could, in a birding competition known as a "big year." In what has become a classic among birders, this memoir chronicles the subculture of birding in the 1970s and a teenager's search for his place in the world.

 

DRAWN to NATURE II:
Botanical Art Demonstration

Watch and learn the fine points of botanical art.  A demonstration by members of the Reed-Turner Botanical Artists' Circle.

DRAWN to NATURE II:
Family Art Activities

Introduce your family to some of the native wild flower species of Ryerson Woods by drawing their portraits.  Children very welcome!

Gardening with Native Plants

Getting antsy to get into your garden?  Want to incorporate native plants but not sure how? Come see and learn how native plants have been used in the gardens behind the Brushwood home at Ryerson woods.  David Eubanks of Eubanks Environmental / Ecological Restoration will explain the guiding principles used to create the plan for incorporating natives, as well as provide information on how to source natives, prepare soil, install and initial care.

DRAWN to NATURE II:
Showing Off the "Green"

Bring the family!  Use your imagination to draw and paint the "green" of Ireland.  Clover (Trifolium repens), Sorrell (Oxalis acetosella) and more.

Dirt! The Movie

Inspired by William Bryant Logan’s acclaimed book Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth, Dirt! The Movie takes a humorous and substantial look into the history and current state of the living organic matter that we come from and will later return to. Film will be introduced by Lake Forest College English Professor Ben Goluboff. A brief discussion will follow. This program is presented in partnership with the Park District of Highland Park’s Heller Nature Center.

1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created 

by Charles Mann

Join a vibrant group of nature enthusiasts for an insightful book discussion led by Ben Goluboff, professor of English at Lake Forest College.  Mann’s subject in this sequel to 1491 is the Columbian Exchange, the exchange of plants, animals, microbes and technologies that resulted from contact between Europeans and the New World.  This is the story of a globalization event whose consequences are still unfolding.

Sponsored by: Rosborough Partners, Inc.

DRAWN to NATURE II:
Exhibition Gallery Talk

Exhibiting artists from the Reed-Turner Botanical Artists' Circle will be on hand to discuss works on exhibition, botanical illustration and conservation concerns.

Vegetable Drawing: Graphite Pencil

Are you a vegetable lover?  Come turn your passion into a work of art!  Botanical artist and instructor Heeyoung Kim will teach basic drawing techniques step-by-step.  During this six week drawing course, students will learn how to handle pencils and paper properly, how to observe their specimens closely, and finally how to create beautiful vegetable portraits.  Students will complete two final drawing projects which they can proudly hang.  A six week follow-up class, Vegetable Painting, will be offered in the summer of 2013.

REI Outdoor School 

Introduction to Snowshoeing

Discover the freedom of snowshoeing!  The professional instructors at the REI Outdoor School will teach you appropriate technique, proper use of equipment and how to make every trip a success.  Dress in synthetic cloting with base layers.  Hat, gloves and warm socks encouraged. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.  Snowshoeing equipment will be provided for class use.  (Snow must be 4" or deeper to snowshoe.)

Owl Prowl with Steve Bailey

Join Steve Bailey, ornithologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, for a captivating night exploring the mystery of owls at Ryerson Woods. He will discuss owl behavior and identification, as well as the places these fascinating birds are most likely to be seen. He may even demonstrate his world-famous Barred Owl call. After the discussion, Steve will lead a walk in the woods to look and listen for these enigmatic birds. Please dress warmly, and bring along a flashlight and binoculars. Presented in partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden.

REI Outdoor School 

Winter Landscape Photography

REI Outdoor School Instructors will help you unlock that great winter landscapes photo!  This course is designed for individuals with a basic understanding of how to use their camera.  With special access to the beautiful Ryerson Woods to inspire you, you will learn how to capture the beauty of winter with the lens.  Bring your camera, tripod, quick dry towel, small portable chair or stool and waterbottle.  Be sure to wear a hat, sunglasses and use sunscreen.

Sky/Place

Richard Deutsch and Susan Kraut, both long-time teachers at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, are painters who have always been interested in the natural world. They use the medium of paint to express the visual experience they have in the landscape.  Both artists do preliminary studies, including drawings and quick painted sketches, while on location, and construct the finished works back in their studios.  The paintings become a fusion of the immediacy of their initial experience with the reflective, ordered quality which memory provides.  Among the works exhibited are paintings of Irish skies and landscapes from a study trip in Western Ireland which they taught together during the summer of 2011.

Brushwood. Free. No registration required.  Exhibition runs through February 28, 2013.

Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth

By William Bryant Logan

Join a vibrant group of nature enthusiasts for an insightful book discussion led by Ben Goluboff, professor of English at Lake Forest College.  Soil science for poets, Dirt brings together history and literature, ecology and horticulture in this portrait of the soil matrices that sustain life on our planet

Sponsored by: Rosborough Partners, Inc.

Owl Prowl with Steve Bailey

Join Steve Bailey, ornithologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, for a captivating night exploring the mystery of owls at Ryerson Woods. He will discuss owl behavior and identification, as well as the places these fascinating birds are most likely to be seen. He may even demonstrate his world-famous Barred Owl call. After the discussion, Steve will lead a walk in the woods to look and listen for these enigmatic birds. Please dress warmly, and bring along a flashlight and binoculars. Presented in partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden.

The Hidden World of Wolves and Coyotes

Did you know that coyotes live in almost every green space of any size in the Chicago metropolitan area? Did you know that their cousins, the wolves, are also thriving just a few hours north of here? Explore the hidden world of these fascinating predators and what their presence in our region means for humans, with the help of two experts: Adrian Wydeven who studies wolves for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Stan Gehrt of Ohio State University, the leading expert on urban coyotes in the Chicago region. Presented in partnership with Conserve Lake County, Lake Forest Open Lands, and the Wildlife Discovery Center. 

Owl Prowl with Steve Bailey

Join Steve Bailey, ornithologist with the Illinois Natural History Survey, for a captivating night exploring the mystery of owls at Ryerson Woods. He will discuss owl behavior and identification, as well as the places these fascinating birds are most likely to be seen. He may even demonstrate his world-famous Barred Owl call. After the discussion, Steve will lead a walk in the woods to look and listen for these enigmatic birds. Please dress warmly, and bring along a flashlight and binoculars. Presented in partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden.

This Offer Won't Last

Recent work by Regin Igloria explores his ongoing relationship with nature and spaces that speak of dual perspectives. This new collection of artists' books, drawings, and site-specific indoor installations will encourage interaction with viewers, allowing the work to continue beyond the run of the exhibition.

Halloween Hikes

This guided candlelight trail hike stops several times to watch costumed performances in the woods. Finish off at a cozy cabin fireplace with cider and a fresh doughnut. This program isn’t scary, so even your preschoolers will have fun.

Hour long hikes begin every 30 min between 6-8 pm.
Note: Not able to accommodate large groups.

Introduction to Trail Running

Tired of pounding pavement on your runs? If you want to develop or improve your off-road skills, this outing is for you. Explore scenic natural trails and learn about the health benefits of running on soft, uneven ground during this hour-long trail run on a local circuit. Instruction covers proper technique, training plans, clothing and footwear specific to the sport of trail running. Recommended for ages 14 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.  Presented in partnership with REI. 

Introduction to Hiking and Camping

New to hiking and camping? On this outing you'll learn about the gear and clothing that can make your trips more comfortable and enjoyable. We'll practice some techniques to help you hike more efficiently and cover skills such as route finding and emergency preparedness. An instructor versed in natural history and navigation will also lend personal knowledge to add interest to your hike.  Presented in partnership with REI. 

Biomimicry Seminar

Take an inspiring walk at Ryerson Woods during the peak of fall color, guided by a naturalist and two experts on the cutting edge of biomimicry: the emerging science of solving human problems by learning from the way nature works.  Learn about the plants and wildlife in this unique nature preserve and the principles underlying these natural systems.  Then return to Brushwood for a fascinating, interactive seminar with Amy Coffman Phillips of The B-Collaborative and Lindsay James of Interface, who will teach you how to apply these lessons from nature to a vast array of human problems.  From artists to engineers, everyone can benefit from this unique opportunity to gain a new perspective on nature.

Guided Bilingual Nature Hike - Ray Lake Forest Preserve

Join us for bilingual nature hikes in various Lake County natural areas.  Intended to introduce our region’s Spanish speaking residents to our incredible system of preserves, each hike lasts one hour. 

 

Invitamos a toda la comunidad hispana a conocer y disfrutar nuestro increíble sistemas de reservas forestales a través de caminatas ecológicas bilingües con duración de una hora.

 

The Taste of Tomorrow by Josh Schonwald

Meet journalist Josh Schonwald, who will discuss his new book investigating the people, trends and technologies that are transforming the world of food.  The Taste of Tomorrow: Dispatches from the Future of Food follows an earnest but often skeptical Schonwald on a two-year journey searching for answers, from the hills of Alice Waters’ micro farm to the halls of a Pentagon-controlled food lab.  Schonwald reveals a fascinating picture of our future that is not to be missed.  Presented in partnership with Lake Forest Book Store and Liberty Prairie Foundation.  

Introduction to GPS Navigation

Head out into the field for a day of hands-on navigation training at Ryerson Woods. You’ll practice pinpointing your location, marking waypoints, plotting courses and creating routes in the outdoors. Learn to transfer information from the GPS to your map and from the map to the GPS.  Participants are encouraged to bring their own GPS units, but GPS receivers will be available for participants to use.  Presented in partnership with REI.

1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus  

By Charles Mann

Enjoy an engaging book discussion led by Ben Goluboff, professor of American literature and nature writing at Lake Forest College.  From Tenochtitlan in Mexico to Cahokia in southern Illinois, environmental historian Charles Mann surveys the Americas as Columbus discovered them, dispelling the myth that the New World discovered by Europeans was a pristine landscape untouched by human artifice.  

Sponsored by: Rosborough Partners, Inc.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Guided Bilingual Nature Hike - Greenbelt Forest Preserve

 

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Guided Bilingual Nature Hike - Volo Bog State Park

Join us for bilingual nature hikes in various Lake County natural areas.  Intended to introduce our region’s Spanish speaking residents to our incredible system of preserves, each hike lasts one hour. 

 

Invitamos a toda la comunidad hispana a conocer y disfrutar nuestro increíble sistemas de reservas forestales a través de caminatas ecológicas bilingües con duración de una hora.

Botanical Drawing I: Graphite Pencil  

Are you a plant lover? Come turn your passion into a work of art! Using the beauty of Ryerson Woods in early autumn as inspiration, botanical artist and instructor Heeyoung Kim will teach basic drawing techniques step-by-step. During this six week drawing course, students will learn how to handle pencils and paper properly, how to observe plants, and finally how to create beautiful plant portraits. Instruction will also include botanical art history and essential botany information to enrich students' knowledge and ensure scientific accuracy in their artworks. Students will complete one final project which they can proudly hang.

Genius Loci: Listening to Nature’s Muse

Will Bison Roam in Illinois?

Illinois is often called the Prairie State—but how much true native prairie remains?  Can it be saved?  Will bison ever roam here again?  And what can this unique ecosystem teach us about living and working on the land in our region?  Hear from the experts about the return of the bison to Illinois and the exciting work taking place at Nachusa Grasslands’ 3000 acres of restored, reconstructed, and remnant prairie.  Since 1986, hundreds of volunteers have worked at Nachusa to replant former corn and bean fields and recreate a vision of 1800 Illinois' mosaic of prairie, savanna and wetlands. 

Photo copyright Robert Shaw.

Guided Bilingual Nature Hike - Raven Glen Forest Preserve

Join us for bilingual nature hikes in various Lake County natural areas.  Intended to introduce our region’s Spanish speaking residents to our incredible system of preserves, each hike lasts one hour. 

 

Invitamos a toda la comunidad hispana a conocer y disfrutar nuestro increíble sistemas de reservas forestales a través de caminatas ecológicas bilingües con duración de una hora.

The Prairie and the Prairie School of Architecture

The North Shore is rich with examples of the Prairie School of Architecture, both famous masterpieces and lesser-known gems. But is the “Prairie” name simply historical coincidence? Did the bold new approach to architecture pioneered by America’s most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright – characterized by dramatic horizontal lines and masses, open interior spaces, and the use of simple, natural materials – draw something important from the Midwestern prairie itself? Join David Bagnall, Curator and Director of Interpretation for the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, for an exploration of the connections between the physical prairie and the architectural style that is a part of our landscape—and, ultimately, of the relationship between nature and human creativity.

Guided Bilingual Nature Hike - Rollins Forest Preserve

Join us for bilingual nature hikes in various Lake County natural areas.  Intended to introduce our region’s Spanish speaking residents to our incredible system of preserves, each hike lasts one hour. 

 

Invitamos a toda la comunidad hispana a conocer y disfrutar nuestro increíble sistemas de reservas forestales a través de caminatas ecológicas bilingües con duración de una hora.

Plein Air Oil Painting Workshop: On Location

Landscape artist William Marvin leads this class for beginning and intermediate level painters who wish to create art in the vibrant and sometimes unpredictable outdoors. Students will paint outdoors for two days with a preliminary studio session held at the historic home Brushwood. Students will learn about the value of a limited palette and capturing the essence of a scene with fresh, economical brushstrokes, composing as well as editing from the abundance of visual stimulus and interpreting the available light to their advantage.  A full course outline, illustration of a typical painting setup and a list of required materials will be provided at the time of registration.  Presented in partnership with North Shore Art League.  

Cabin Fever:  A Suburban Father’s Search for the Wild

by Tom Montgomery Fate

Try to imagine Thoreau living in a Chicago suburb: married, with a job, three kids and a minivan. This is the serious yet irreverent sensibility that suffuses Cabin Fever, as author Fate seeks to apply the hermit-philosopher’s insights to a busy modern life.  Hear what Fate found about the wild both in the woods and within himself while he wrote this seasonal nature memoir.  Although we are often estranged from nature in our daily lives, Fate will discuss how we can still recover our kinship with the earth and its other inhabitants if we are willing to pay attention. 

Presented in partnership with Lake Forest Book Store.  The evening included an author talk and book signing.  

Summer Solstice on the Prairie

Watch the sun set over beautiful Middlefork Savanna while mingling with like-minded nature lovers on the patio of a private Lake Forest home with a truly breathtaking view.  Beer, wine, refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served. 

Craig Brautigam, owner of Grand Cru Wine Merchants in Lake Forest, will be pouring a global wine tasting of 7 wines.  Attendees can purchase their favorites and receive a 10% discount on 12 bottles or more.

How to Make Your Lawn More Eco-Friendly

Is it possible to have a nice-looking lawn without relying on chemicals? Yes!  Steve Pincuspy, Program Coordinator for WRD Environmental, presents a variety of techniques that deliver solid results. Whether you hire a company or handle your own lawn care, this talk provides valuable tips that allow you to move from conventional lawn care to a more natural approach, thereby reducing health and environmental concerns. This program is presented in partnership with Conserve Lake County and supports Lake County’s Conservation@Home program.  

Smith Nature Symposium

Lessons from the Prairie

Keynote Speaker — Wes Jackson

SPECIMENS

Photographs by Julie Meridian

Warbler Fever: Learning Warblers by Sight and Sound

All those colorful little migratory warblers that light up the trees like ornaments in spring can seem difficult to recognize.  Sheryl DeVore, author of Birds of Illinois and chief editor of Meadowlark, the journal of the Illinois Ornithological Society, will teach you how to identify warblers through their song, plumage and habitat. Then head into the woods to listen and watch.   Bring a pair of binoculars and dress for the weather. Presented in partnership with the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Travel Sketching at Ryerson Woods

You love to draw and you love to travel.  Nationally recognized artist and teacher Nina Weiss taught participants how to maximize their drawing experience, using the landscapes of their travels.  Emphasis included: how to extract your vision from the landscape using elements of composition; how expressive line and gesture are used to capture the landscape; and how color can be used as an exciting addition to your drawing.  Supply list provided upon registration.  Water-soluble sketch pens available for purchase from instructor.  Presented in partnership with North Shore Art League.

Sketchbook Studies:

Spring Wildflowers at Ryerson Woods

Animals Are Outside Today

Photographs by Colleen Plumb

An Evening with Richard Louv:

Author of The Nature Principle