About Us

Nature Programs

Birthday Party Information

Early Elementary: K- 3rd Grade
Programs run from 30-90 minutes

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. This program can be set up in learning stations or done as a large group.
State Goals: 11.A.1b; 12.A.1a; 12.A.1b; 12.B.1a; 12.B.1b; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1c; 13.B.1d

Guided Nature Hike-
a park naturalist will take the students on the trails at Willowhaven to observe animal tracks, trails & sign. Before the hike, students will discuss what questions they might ask 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 role of ecologists, wildlife biologists and restoration biologists in protecting, preserving and managing natural areas. A simple craft is included in this program.
State Goals: 11.A.1b; 11.A.1d; 11.A.1f; 12.B.1a; 13.A.1a; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1c; 13.B.1d

Tree & Leaf 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 student 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 plant 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.
State Goals: 12.A.1a; 12.A.1b; 12.B.1a; 13.A.1a; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1c; 13.B.1d

Metamorphosis – Check out this new program where participants will explore the diverse and colorful world of insect and amphibian metamorphosis, viewing our butterfly, amphibian exhibits and charting the cycle of metamorphosis. This program can be set up in learning stations or done as a large group.
State Goals: 11.A.1b; 12.A.1a; 12.A.1b; 12.B.1a; 12.B.1b; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1c; 13.B.1d

Late Elementary: 3rd-6th Grade
Programs run from 30-90 minutes

Watershed Workshop-
students will determine what a drainage basin is, and discuss the geology and biodiversity of the Kankakee River watershed. We look at problems and solutions associated with habitat, water quality, and quality of life along the river. The program includes a hike around the pond, wetland and prairie habitat at Willowhaven, and an interactive watershed model demonstrating non-point source pollution of water resources.
State Goals: 12.B.2a; 12.E.2a; 12.E.2b; 12.E.2a; 12.E.2b; 13.B.2c; 13.B.2d; 13.B.2e; 13.B.2f

Owl Puke -
owl pellets consist of undigested hair and bones that owls spit up following a meal. As such, they 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.
State Goals: 11.A.2a; 11.A.2b; 11.A.2c; 11.A.2d; 12.B.2a, 13.A.2c; 13.B.2a

Metamorphosis –
Check out this new program where participants will explore the diverse and colorful world of insect and amphibian metamorphosis, viewing our butterfly, amphibian exhibits and charting the cycle of metamorphosis. This program can be set up in learning stations or done as a large group.
State Goals: 11.A.1b; 12.A.1a; 12.A.1b; 12.B.1a; 12.B.1b; 13.A.1c; 13.B.1c; 13.B.1d

Guided Nature Hike -
a park naturalist will take the students on the trails at Willowhaven to investigate animal tracks, trails & sign, and to observe the ecology of prairie and wetland habitats. 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. Students will discuss the work of conservation scientists, and record their observations and create a simple map which describes the various habitat types in the Park. A simple craft is included in this program.
State Goals: 11.A.2a; 11.A.2b; 12.B.2a; 12.B.2b; 13.B.2c

Tree & Leaf 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 student 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 plant 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.
State Goals: 11.A.2a; 11.A.2b; 12.B.2b; 13.B.2e

 

Jr. High: 7th & 8th Grade
Programs run from 30-90 minutes

Watershed Workshop-
students will determine what a drainage basin is, and discuss the geology and biodiversity of the Kankakee River watershed. We look at problems and solutions associated with habitat, water quality, and quality of life along the river. The program includes a hike around the pond, wetland and prairie habitat at Willowhaven, and an interactive watershed model demonstrating non-point source pollution of water resources.
State Goals: 12.B.3a; 12.E.3a; 12.E.3b; 12.E.3c; 13.B.3c; 13.B.3d; 13.B.3e

Owl Puke -
owl pellets consist of undigested hair and bones that owls spit up following a meal. As such, they 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.
State Goals: 11.A.3a; 11.A.3c; 11.A.3g; 12.B.3a; 13.A.3c; 13.B.3c; 13.B.3e

Guided Nature Hike -
a park naturalist will take the students on the trails at Willowhaven to investigate animal tracks, trails & sign, and to observe the ecology of prairie and wetland habitats. 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. Students will record their observations and create a simple map which describes the various habitat types in the Park. They will discuss the work of conservation biologists as well as the role of carefully documented observations as compared to experiments with controls. Time Required: 2 hours
State Goals: 11.A.3c; 11.A.3g; 12.B.3a; 12.B.3b; 13.A.3c; 13.B.3c