News from Garfield Farm

Campton Hills, IL: Hints of spring will be making their appearance at Garfield Farm Museum's Woodland Wildflower Walk on Sunday, April 14 at 9:30 am. Reservations for the $6 walk can be made by calling 630 584-8485 or e-mail info@garfieldfarm.org.

      Guided by Jerome Johnson, museum biologist, the tour will visit Harley Pond and Woods, an ephemeral wooded wetland. The much later spring of 2013 is closer to the historic norms as bloodroot is not expected in full bloom before April 15. Only this week have the first bloodroot blooms been spotted and the sound of chorus frogs arise from this vernal pool.

      Walks like this are especially good to begin one's familiarity with a specific ecosystem. Instead of being overwhelmed by dense vegetation in various states of bloom, the first spring walk highlights features like the lay of the land, the massive size and heights of trees, a chance to see wildlife without leaf covered shrubs.

      Garfield Farm Museum is located 5 miles west of Geneva, IL off ILL Rt. 38 on Garfield Road.