Temperatures are getting colder, but there still quite a bit to do outdoors. Such was the case recently when the monthly Family Nature Walk took place at Gibson Woods Nature Center.
“We are nature lovers and my son walks almost every day,” said Marsha Vinciguerra of Hammond, who arrived with her son Jacob. “This is a great opportunity to see what’s in our own backyard.”
Naturalist Kim Harmon leads the monthly walks that take place from May through November.
“All comments (about our walks) have been positive,” she said, as the most recent group gathered inside the center’s building, “Many people are surprised by some of the animals and plants they never knew we had.”
Before the hike began, participants visited the Bird Room located inside the nature center.
Available in this room are oversized comfy chairs, where visitors can observe the outdoor feeding station and watch the antics of the birds, animals and other wildlife that inhabit the woods.
“This is interesting, there’s a whole community of birds and animals gathered here,” said Ron Rutledge of Hammond, as his granddaughter Aubrey 3, watched with fascination. “It’s very relaxing.”
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As the walk began along one of the three trails in the park, hikers listened intently to Harmon, as she explained what they would be seeing during the foray into the woods.
“We are built of dune and swale, and also have an oak savannah,” she said, as the hikers took pictures of the orange, yellow and red fall colors. “There are 600 types of plants here.”
She pointed out some of the latter are known for their aromatics, some for their colorful buds and some for medicinal purposes, such as witches jelly and boneset plants.
Native Americans believed that the latter worked wonders — when made into a paste (poultice) and applied to the area of a broken bone, they thought the bone would mend.
The Prentiss family of Hammond arrived after the walk wrapped up, and commented as they were heading to one of the trails for their hike.
“We really enjoy the scenery out here and it’s great that the trails are open to the public for no charge,” said Nicholas Prentiss. “More people need to get their kids out in the fresh air. It’s good for everybody.”
Gibson Woods Nature Preserve is comprised of 191 acres, and is one of the last sizable dune and swale topography remaining in the Midwest.
More than 160 species of birds have been recorded here, as well as several endangered animal and butterfly species that call the park home.
Many programs and activities take place both in and outside the center’s building for all ages throughout the year. The last Family Nature Walk scheduled for 2017 will take place on Saturday.
Each spring, Gibson Woods hosts an annual native plant sale, coordinated by, “Wild Ones,” a group that promotes using native flowers, plants, trees and shrubbery in home landscaping.
Another upcoming program includes crafting holiday ornaments and decorations utilizing items found in nature, such as acorns, pine cones, dried grasses, etc.
For more information, call Gibson Woods at (219) 844-3188.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.