Complaining about Chicago winter weather is pretty much an avid pastime for many area residents. Contending with the realities of lake effect snow, fierce jet stream currents, frozen car locks and iced windshields are geographic challenges not for the faint of heart.
But what about celebrating winter? The River Trail Nature Center in Northbrook is doing just that, by offering “Nightlife Series Events” throughout the winter months. The events provide visitors with the opportunity to experience night access to the forest preserve (one evening per month), when it is generally closed to the public, with family-friendly educational programs that celebrate the natural volatility of this season.
The first of these events for this winter, on Dec. 11, celebrated the winter solstice with a program called “Solstice, Stories & S’mores.” Michele Mottlowitz, the River Trail Nature Center’s director, said the event has been offered for more than 10 years.
“Solstice, Stories & S’mores” began with a presentation by naturalist and River Trail assistant director Brian Winters, and focused on the historic significance of the winter solstice and the global effect of shortening days and loss of sunlight on human beings throughout time. This was followed by a naturalist-led trail hike where 48 children and adult participants went “in search of the light,” (in this case a lantern with a twinkling lit candle), which linked to information given during the presentation. Following the hike, attendees gathered around a campfire to enjoy s’mores, apple cider, hot chocolate and folk stories.
Victoria Mesropyan, 9, from Northbrook said, “you get to see how nature works, walk through the trees at night, and learn about what happened a long time ago during the winter solstice, and the s’mores are very sweet and delicious.”
Communications manager Stacina Stagner noted in an email that “the program was a bit different this year because of the nice weather we’ve been having. Typically, the story-telling portion of the event would be hosted indoors,” although on Friday evening those stories were told around the campfire.
At the River Trail Nature Center, in addition to year-round forest trails, there are a number of interactive nature exhibits for children and adults, live animal exhibits and a long-term facility for the care of injured animals. On-site activities include bird feeding along the Des Plaines River, free snowshoe rentals and cross-country skiing. For the kids, a “Nature Play-zone” provides indoor nature play with a pretend fishing pond, eagles nest and library with games, puzzles and books for related reading.
“Winter is a busy season for us and when it snows, the property is beautiful …” Mottlowitz said. “A winter night hike is magical; we don’t use flashlights and your eyes soon adjust to the dark. … It’s a new opportunity to be inspired by the forest preserve.”
Visit fbdcc.com for more information on upcoming River Trail Nightlife Series events.
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.