Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—September 16, 2014. Oak trees are common in area woodlands, but are they all the same? Find out which oaks are found in our region and how you can tell them apart even when the leaves are gone. Join local ecologist Jon Mendelson on Saturday, September 20 from 1-3 p.m. for the Know Your Oaks Hike through Thorn Creek Woods. Jon is a retired professor of Environmental Biology at Governors State University where he taught for 28 years. His principal research interest during that period was and continues to be, the ecology of trees of Thorn Creek Woods.
This program is free and for all ages, and will take place on natural surface trails across uneven terrain. Registration is required for this program.
Lend a helping hand and join volunteers for the annual Fall Clean-up Day on Sunday, September 21 from noon-4 p.m. Come out and have fun sprucing up the nature center, doing outdoor cleanup and trail repairs. Children must be with an adult. Refreshments will be provided. All ages are welcome; children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. And registration for a group of 6 people or more is required.
For more information or to register for programs, contact Thorn Creek Nature Center, 247 Monee Rd, Park Forest, 708-747-6320, email [email protected], www.tcwoods.org or stop in the nature center between noon and 4 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. Three and a half miles of Thorn Creek trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. Trail walkers should be aware that our south bridge across Thorn Creek was badly damaged by last year spring storms and was removed. The new north bridge across Thorn Creek is open and all the trails are open. Walkers should plan their hikes to allow for coming back around the trails to cross at the north bridge only. There are signs and maps at the trail head.
Source: www.tcwoods.org