Walk this way to nature events

Life starts to move outdoors this time of year and many local nature-themed events this weekend can help keep you busy.

Crete library offers program on bats

The Crete Public Library recently held a program presented by naturalist Sharon Peterson all about bats. During the multimedia presentation Peterson, pictured above, holds her Fruit Bat to show his full wing span and structure.

Crete library offers program on bats

CRETE | Naturalist Sharon Peterson presented a multimedia presentation about bats of the world at the Crete Public Library on April 20.

Crete library offers program on bats

During a recent program on bats held at the Crete Public Library naturalist Sharon Peterson holds an African Straw-Colored bat while Savannah Davis rubs its soft fur. Peterson's multimedia presentation dispelled myths and educated the audience about the benefits of bats.

New trail and learning center open at National Lakeshore

GARY | John Lawicki, of Portage, is helping his late father's love of the Indiana Dunes grow and spread to future generations.

Amateur birder builds towers for chimney swifts

EVANSVILLE, Ind. | When the annual migration of chimney swifts arrives from South America later this month, there will be some new lodgings available for them.

Nature center visitors tap maple trees

Mattoon, Ill., resident Jerry Taylor hollows out a hand-carved sap spout using a hot poker during the annual "Sap Tappin'" event at Douglas-Hart Hature Center in Mattoon. Visitors to the event get to see how maple tree sap is made into syrup.

Nature center visitors tap maple trees

MATTOON | It was a chance to not only taste the traditional pancake topping but see the age-old process of making it as well.

Nature center visitors tap maple trees

Sap as it came from the tree, right, halfway through the boiling process, center, and boiled down to syrup, left, are seen during the annual "Sap Tappin'" event at Douglas-Hart Hature Center in Mattoon, Ill. Visitors to the event get to see how maple tree sap is made into syrup.

Scenes from nature on display at Crete library

A display of nature photography is on exhibit at the Crete Public Library through March.

Short-eared owls thriving again at Illinois state park

PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. | Pyramid State Park, south and west of Pinckneyville, is home to a flock of about 40 short-eared owls.

Short-eared owls thriving again at Illinois state park

A short-eared owl perches on a branch during an afternoon hunt at Pyramid State Park outside Pinckneyville, Ill. Although an Illinois Endangered Species, the short-eared owl is thriving in the grasslands of the reclaimed strip mines at Pyramid. The owls nest in Canada and Alaska, but call Py…

Suburban man's art is taxidermy

ALGONQUIN, Ill. | Vern Brancamp is an artist.

Volunteers needed to continue work at Bur Oak Woods

HOBART | Shirley Heinze Land Trust will hold a volunteer workday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Bur Oak Woods, an 84-acre remnant of Bur Oak savanna, one of the rarest habitat types found in Indiana.

New Wave of Foreclosures

Groundhog Day celebrated at National Lakeshore

GARY | Join a ranger for a special puppet show in honor of Groundhog Day during the open house Saturday at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore's Paul H. Douglas Center, 100 N. Lake St. in the Miller neighborhood.

Bird banding program at Indiana Dunes helps scientists track avians

PORTER | “He’s been blinged!” Brad Bumgardner said during Saturday’s demonstration of banding birds.

2013 And Beyond

Shirley Heinze Land Trust protects nature and educates

Women’s liberation! It’s wonderful, that is, if you happen to be married to a beautiful and brainy Southern belle with a college education, a highly successful career as an executive, and an annual income that would choke an ATM.