Willowhaven
Interpretive
Center

Group Information
If you have a group of 10 or more looking to visit the interpretive center, please schedule a visit with our group coordinator to insure you get the most out of your visit.

Admission
Admission to the facility is free and groups can be scheduled year-round. Groups may schedule a visit Monday - Friday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm. The facility can accommodate up to 75 visitors at one time. It is recommended that large groups split up their time in the interpretive center so the students get the most out of their visit.The Interpretive Center requires a 1:6 adult to child ratio.

While You're Here
Don't forget to check out the native flower gardens outside the interpretive center that have plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds! Starting in late spring, the gardens will bloom all summer long!
The Whispering Willows Park has a mile of winding trails to be explored. The park features ponds, wetland and prairie habitats for a wide variety of animals. Along the trails there are three scenic overlooks at our ponds for more opportunities to see frogs, fish and turtles!

Lunch
Willowhaven Interpretive Center does not have outdoor picnic tables for a large group, however, students may use our multipurpose room for lunches. The multipurpose room can accommodate up to 20 people at a time so larger groups must split up lunch times. Please check for Multipurpose room availability when reserving your group.

Programs
Length: 30-90 minutes
Programs can be tailored for groups Pre-K through 8th Grade.
Illinois State Learning goals are available upon request.

The Amazing World of Insects and Spiders – The students will learn the difference between insects and spiders, and then go out on the nature trail in order to observe insects in their own habitat and to discuss their role in the ecosystem. If weather permits, students will net specimens for a close up view of the amazing adaptations of insects.  In the event that weather interferes with the outdoor activity, students will observe preserved specimens provided by the park district and identify the anatomical features of insects and spiders. Indoor activity will also include a hunt for replica specimens.

Wetland Safari – Discover the world of frogs, turtles and ducks. Learn all about wetlands; what animals and plants are found there, and why it is important to protect wetlands.  Students will participate in a discussion about wetlands, hear calls of wetland wildlife, see some of the animals that live in wetlands and participate in a scavenger hunt of wetland species. Weather permitting the program will include a short nature hike; students must wear sturdy hiking shoes or tennis shoes and long pants.

Plant & Tree Workshop- Check out this new hands-on workshop program where students will learn all about plants and trees. The workshop will include an introduction and brief overview on plants and trees followed by dividing into smaller groups to 5 workshop stations.
Station 1: Tree Leaf Id Station where students will learn to identify at least 10 tree species by their leaves when they are finished with a rubbing plate activity.
Station 2: Poisonous Plant Station where students will learn about poisonous plants and other ways plants can defend themselves. The students will also be able to identify poison ivy plants by the leaves, vine, flower cluster and fruit or berry clusters. Students will also get to quiz themselves on how to spot real poison ivy leaves.
Station 3: Tree Growth Station where students will learn how a tree grows. This station will feature a 2 and a half foot tree cross section where students will learn how to determine how old a tree is and why tree ring spacing is an environmental indicator.
Station 4: Plant Anatomy Station  where students will be able to learn and identify the internal parts of a flowering plant using a model. Using provided craft supplies students will create their own plant anatomy display to take home.
Station 5: Importance of Plants Station where students will learn a variety of ways trees and plants provide food, shelter and materials to a fantastically wide variety of organisms including fungus, insects and animals. Students will be able to identify at least 10 ways that plants or tree directly affect them on a daily basis.

Guided Nature Observation Walk – a park naturalist will take the students on the trails at Willowhaven to observe animal tracks, trails and signs.  Before the hike, students will discuss what questions they have about prairie and wetland habitat, and what can be gained by careful observation.  Students will observe native prairie and wetland species while recording their observations on a species list. Wildlife at Whispering Willows includes several species of frogs, snakes and turtles, deer, coyote, muskrat, great blue heron, green heron, egret, red-tail hawk, redwing blackbird, killdeer and many others. After the hike, students will compare their observations, and discuss the methods used by citizens and environmental scientists in protecting and preserving natural areas. Guided nature hike also includes a meet and greet with the live animals inside the Willowhaven Interpretive Center.

Owl Puke – Check out this dissection lab where students can dissect owl pellets consisting of undigested hair and bones that owls spit up following a meal.  Owl pellets contain valuable clues to what the owl was eating and the habitat in which the owl was hunting.  Students will classify and record the types of bones of the owl’s prey using bone identifying charts while learning the ecology of food, energy, and the web of life.  Students will learn the role of the apex predator in keeping the healthy balance of an ecosystem, and discuss the value of conservation science in today’s society.

Metamorphosis – Check out this new program where participants will explore the diverse and colorful world of insect and amphibian metamorphosis, viewing our butterfly and amphibian exhibits and charting the cycle of metamorphosis. This program will include a metamorphosis demonstration using student volunteers. Weather permitting the program will include a short nature hike; students must wear sturdy hiking shoes or tennis shoes and long pants.

For Illinois Learning standards please click here.

Book your Visit
Office hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Group reservations can be made over the phone at (815) 933-9905 extension 473 or by email.   

Group Reservation Form

Teacher Tips:
When you are ready to book your field trip please have the following information ready:

• Group Name
• Phone Number
• Date of visit
• Arrival and departure times
• Lunch plans and times (20 max capacity in lunch room at one time)
• Name of program (if interested)
• Number of children
• Number of special needs children
• Number of adults (we require 1:6 ratio)
• Age of children