SPD - Spring Valley Nature Center & Heritage Farm

[10/30/21]   Reminder! Trails near Merkle Cabin and Heritage Farm are closed from 12 p.m.-4 p.m. today for our sold-out trick-or-treating event!

#FunFactFriday Say hello to one of our Red-Tailed Hawks! Just look up and you're sure to see one circling above Spring Valley. They are the most common hawk in North America with almost 2 million nesting.

The Red-Tailed Hawk has a raspy screech. In Hollywood movies, whenever a hawk or eagle appears, it's almost always audio of a Red-Tailed Hawk that's used, no matter what the species

#FunFactFriday Say hello to one of our Red-Tailed Hawks! Just look up and you're sure to see one circling above Spring Valley. They are the most common hawk in North America with almost 2 million nesting.

The Red-Tailed Hawk has a raspy screech. In Hollywood movies, whenever a hawk or eagle appears, it's almost always audio of a Red-Tailed Hawk that's used, no matter what the species

#FunFactFriday Did you know that Spring Valley's honeybees are permanent residents? 🍯🐝 Though the temperatures are falling, honeybees are still hard at work foraging for nectar and pollen. They need 60-90 lbs of honey to survive the long winter months. When it gets too cold, they huddle together in the hive for warmth and generate enough body heat to keep the queen bee and colony warm until the spring. Stay cozy bees!

#FunFactFriday Did you know that Spring Valley's honeybees are permanent residents? 🍯🐝 Though the temperatures are falling, honeybees are still hard at work foraging for nectar and pollen. They need 60-90 lbs of honey to survive the long winter months. When it gets too cold, they huddle together in the hive for warmth and generate enough body heat to keep the queen bee and colony warm until the spring. Stay cozy bees!

Did you spot the deer (and its friend) at first glance?! 👀 Kids ages 5-8 can learn all about animals that use camouflage at our 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗸𝗲 on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. We'll enjoy the outdoors and search for critters in the fall forest! Register here: https://bit.ly/3vtBBqS

Did you spot the deer (and its friend) at first glance?! 👀 Kids ages 5-8 can learn all about animals that use camouflage at our 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗸𝗲 on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. We'll enjoy the outdoors and search for critters in the fall forest! Register here: https://bit.ly/3vtBBqS

The Nature Center is looking very festive! 🎃👻🕷️

The Nature Center is looking very festive! 🎃👻🕷️

#FunFactFriday The pink granite boulder that sits near Merkle Cabin has undoubtedly been a favorite spot for many family photos throughout the year - a memory captured in time of an outing at Spring Valley. But the boulder has a unique story of its own! 🪨

This particular boulder does not match the limestone bedrock formed in the shallow seas of Illinois millions of years ago. It is a glacial erratic plucked from the Canadian Shield 15,000 years ago and carried nearly one thousand miles to where it sits today. This boulder weighs in at around 20,000 pounds and originates from some of the oldest rock on Earth at approximately 4 billion years old. It sits as a witness to time and memories of our past.

#FunFactFriday The pink granite boulder that sits near Merkle Cabin has undoubtedly been a favorite spot for many family photos throughout the year - a memory captured in time of an outing at Spring Valley. But the boulder has a unique story of its own! 🪨

This particular boulder does not match the limestone bedrock formed in the shallow seas of Illinois millions of years ago. It is a glacial erratic plucked from the Canadian Shield 15,000 years ago and carried nearly one thousand miles to where it sits today. This boulder weighs in at around 20,000 pounds and originates from some of the oldest rock on Earth at approximately 4 billion years old. It sits as a witness to time and memories of our past.

Harvest Celebration is THIS Sunday! Experience the fall harvest at Heritage Farm with demonstrations of 19th century farm life, kids’ crafts and games, live music, and more.

🎟️ No pre-registration is required. Admission fee is $4/person or $16/family at the door.

🚘 Parking is available at 1111 E. Schaumburg Rd. and at St. Matthew’s Church,1001 E. Schaumburg Road.

Harvest Celebration is THIS Sunday! Experience the fall harvest at Heritage Farm with demonstrations of 19th century farm life, kids’ crafts and games, live music, and more.

🎟️ No pre-registration is required. Admission fee is $4/person or $16/family at the door.

🚘 Parking is available at 1111 E. Schaumburg Rd. and at St. Matthew’s Church,1001 E. Schaumburg Road.

UPDATE: We greatly appreciate everyone’s concerns and efforts to preserve nature! This mushroom was used as a teaching tool for D54, Forest Playschool, the Nature Center, and Nature Play dates before we returned it back to the woods (in the same area that it was found). Collecting items from Spring Valley is not allowed. Thank you!

#FunFactFriday Look what our Spring Valley staff found...a giant puffball mushroom (also known as calvatia gigantea)! 🍄 Typically found in meadows, fields and forests, they can grow to be 4-20 inches in diameter and weigh up to 44 pounds! Next time you take a hike at Spring Valley keep your eye out for one of these giants!

UPDATE: We greatly appreciate everyone’s concerns and efforts to preserve nature! This mushroom was used as a teaching tool for D54, Forest Playschool, the Nature Center, and Nature Play dates before we returned it back to the woods (in the same area that it was found). Collecting items from Spring Valley is not allowed. Thank you!

#FunFactFriday Look what our Spring Valley staff found...a giant puffball mushroom (also known as calvatia gigantea)! 🍄 Typically found in meadows, fields and forests, they can grow to be 4-20 inches in diameter and weigh up to 44 pounds! Next time you take a hike at Spring Valley keep your eye out for one of these giants!

Illinois Fall Color Report

Check out the Illinois Fall Color Report to see the estimated peak times in your region! 🍂🍁🍃 Courtesy of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Illinois Fall Color Report Discover the current state of autumn hues unfolding in every region of the state.

Fall is cider season on the farm! 🍎🍏 Come to Heritage Farm from noon-1 p.m. any Thursday this month to help us turn apples into cider! After all your hard work, you'll be treated to a well-deserved cider tasting! Register here: https://bit.ly/3le48NL

🍎 Thursday, Oct. 7

🍎 Thursday, Oct. 14

🍎 Thursday, Oct. 21

🍎 Thursday, Oct. 28

Fall is cider season on the farm! 🍎🍏 Come to Heritage Farm from noon-1 p.m. any Thursday this month to help us turn apples into cider! After all your hard work, you'll be treated to a well-deserved cider tasting! Register here: https://bit.ly/3le48NL

🍎 Thursday, Oct. 7

🍎 Thursday, Oct. 14

🍎 Thursday, Oct. 21

🍎 Thursday, Oct. 28

#FunFactFriday This is an Argiope spider - they can be spotted all around Spring Valley! 🕷️ Their webs are made of silk and created in a zig-zag pattern, known as stabilimenta. As a daily ritual, the Argiope spider consumes the web and then rebuilds a new one.

#FunFactFriday This is an Argiope spider - they can be spotted all around Spring Valley! 🕷️ Their webs are made of silk and created in a zig-zag pattern, known as stabilimenta. As a daily ritual, the Argiope spider consumes the web and then rebuilds a new one.

As part of her Silver Award project, local Girl Scout, Jasmine, created and installed beautiful fairy doors throughout Spring Valley! 🧚🚪 If you're walking the trails, be sure to keep an eye out for them!

View the map and Jasmine's fairy door story and descriptions here: https://bit.ly/39R2SJO

#FunfactFriday These beautiful bald eagles were spotted at Spring Valley the other day! 🦅 Did you know that the average wingspan of a bald eagle is 6-7.5 feet? Bald eagles can fly as high as 10,000 feet in the air and typically choose the tallest trees (often even dead trees like the one here) to build nests.

It's officially the #FirstDayofFall! 🍁🍂 Check out these cool wave clouds (also known as undulatus asperatus) over Spring Valley this morning! ☁️ Have you ever seen these types of clouds before?!

It's officially the #FirstDayofFall! 🍁🍂 Check out these cool wave clouds (also known as undulatus asperatus) over Spring Valley this morning! ☁️ Have you ever seen these types of clouds before?!

Wave goodbye 👋 as the last monarchs raised by Spring Valley volunteers embark on their almost 3,000-mile journey to their winter home in the mountains near Mexico City! The last butterfly release of the year will take place on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 11:05 a.m. 🦋

Wave goodbye 👋 as the last monarchs raised by Spring Valley volunteers embark on their almost 3,000-mile journey to their winter home in the mountains near Mexico City! The last butterfly release of the year will take place on Sunday, Sept. 26 at 11:05 a.m. 🦋

Join us for 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 & 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘀 🍻 next Saturday! Our 'ale trail" features numerous craft beers paired with food items to sample! Wear comfortable walking shoes and prepare for a culinary adventure! 🥾

Must be 21 or older. Pre-registration required by Sept. 22. www.parkfun.com/event/trails-and-ales

Join us for 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 & 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘀 🍻 next Saturday! Our 'ale trail" features numerous craft beers paired with food items to sample! Wear comfortable walking shoes and prepare for a culinary adventure! 🥾

Must be 21 or older. Pre-registration required by Sept. 22. www.parkfun.com/event/trails-and-ales

Enjoy story time around a campfire with your little one each month at 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬! We'll make a snack, read a story and do some activities. 📚 Program is for ages 3-5 with an adult. https://bit.ly/3nzMUfb

📆 Dates include: Sept. 18, Oct. 2, Nov. 6 & Dec. 4.

Enjoy story time around a campfire with your little one each month at 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬! We'll make a snack, read a story and do some activities. 📚 Program is for ages 3-5 with an adult. https://bit.ly/3nzMUfb

📆 Dates include: Sept. 18, Oct. 2, Nov. 6 & Dec. 4.

See a monarch butterfly up close at our Monarch Butterfly Release Program! 🦋 Releases are currently being held daily at 11:05 a.m. and 2:50 p.m. behind the Nature Center.

Butterfly releases may be canceled due to weather or lack of butterflies. Call the Nature Center at 847-985-2100 for updates!

September’s theme in the Nature Center is "The Great Seed Adventure"! 🌱 Learn how seeds travel and see a variety of seeds on display - you can use a magnifier to get a close-up view! 🔎

The Nature Center is open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

September’s theme in the Nature Center is "The Great Seed Adventure"! 🌱 Learn how seeds travel and see a variety of seeds on display - you can use a magnifier to get a close-up view! 🔎

The Nature Center is open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Happy #LaborDay!

Happy #LaborDay!

Spring Valley's grounds and trails will be open daily, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. throughout Labor Day weekend! 🌳🥾 The Nature Center, Bison's Bluff and Heritage Farm buildings will be open during their regular hours Saturday and Sunday. Monday's hours are noted below. ⬇

Spring Valley's grounds and trails will be open daily, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. throughout Labor Day weekend! 🌳🥾 The Nature Center, Bison's Bluff and Heritage Farm buildings will be open during their regular hours Saturday and Sunday. Monday's hours are noted below. ⬇

Register you and your little one for our weekly 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 class on Friday mornings in our Learning Garden. Each week, we'll get our hands dirty as we harvest and prep the garden for winter!🌱 🍅🌼 Class is for ages 3-5 with a parent/guardian. https://bit.ly/3jAuKrn

Register you and your little one for our weekly 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 class on Friday mornings in our Learning Garden. Each week, we'll get our hands dirty as we harvest and prep the garden for winter!🌱 🍅🌼 Class is for ages 3-5 with a parent/guardian. https://bit.ly/3jAuKrn

We know it's the first day of September and fall will be here soon, but don't forget there's sill time to appreciate all the beauty that summer has to offer! 😍

Are you more of a summer ☀️ or fall 🍁 person?!

We know it's the first day of September and fall will be here soon, but don't forget there's sill time to appreciate all the beauty that summer has to offer! 😍

Are you more of a summer ☀️ or fall 🍁 person?!

Find a bench and take a moment to enjoy the simple beauty of nature this weekend! #TGIF

Find a bench and take a moment to enjoy the simple beauty of nature this weekend! #TGIF

Join us for our last German Beer Garden of the summer, this Saturday from 4-7:30 p.m. 🍻🥨 Enjoy live music and cool off with a beer from Church Street Brewing Company!

Admission includes one pretzel and one drink per ticket (beer or soda). Pre-registration is encouraged (register each family member who will attend). A limited number of walk-ins will be accepted the day of. Please park at St. Matthew’s Church and follow the signs to the Heritage Farm entrance. Event runs rain or shine. www.parkfun.com/event/german-beer-garden-august-2021

Join us for our last German Beer Garden of the summer, this Saturday from 4-7:30 p.m. 🍻🥨 Enjoy live music and cool off with a beer from Church Street Brewing Company!

Admission includes one pretzel and one drink per ticket (beer or soda). Pre-registration is encouraged (register each family member who will attend). A limited number of walk-ins will be accepted the day of. Please park at St. Matthew’s Church and follow the signs to the Heritage Farm entrance. Event runs rain or shine. www.parkfun.com/event/german-beer-garden-august-2021

Experience our unique weekly yoga classes at Merkle Cabin! Located amongst the trees in the heart of Spring Valley, Merkle Cabin is the perfect setting to nurture your mind and body.

🧘🏽 Tuesday's at 6 p.m.

🧘🏽 Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.

🧘🏽 Thursdays at 6 p.m.

Classes run Sept.-Dec. Participants must bring their own yoga mat and a small blanket. Space is limited, so register today! https://bit.ly/2WldUnD

Experience our unique weekly yoga classes at Merkle Cabin! Located amongst the trees in the heart of Spring Valley, Merkle Cabin is the perfect setting to nurture your mind and body.

🧘🏽 Tuesday's at 6 p.m.

🧘🏽 Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.

🧘🏽 Thursdays at 6 p.m.

Classes run Sept.-Dec. Participants must bring their own yoga mat and a small blanket. Space is limited, so register today! https://bit.ly/2WldUnD

Effective immediately, Schaumburg Park District is requiring masks for all patrons (2 years and older) inside our facilities, which includes the Nature Center and the Heritage Farm Visitor Center/Museum Store. Please read the latest COVID-19 update below for additional information. ⬇️

Throughout the pandemic the safety of our patrons and staff has been our top priority. With the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the Cook County Department of Public Health has mandated that beginning today Monday, Aug. 23, all individuals over 2 years of age must wear face coverings inside public buildings. 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀, 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆, 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘂𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 - this includes during fitness and athletic activities.

We appreciate your understanding. For more information, please email [email protected] or call 847-985-2115.