Celebrate OAKtober with a nature hike

    October is Oak Awareness Month in Illinois, otherwise known as “OAKtober.” Oaks have played an important part in the history of Illinois. The state tree is the White Oak. The long-living oak trees provide food and shelter for birds, mammals, and insects. More than any other type of tree, the oak supports more than 500 species of moths and butterflies. Other insects depend on the leaf litter for food and shelter. Mammals eat the acorns. Birds eat the insects. Humans depend on the shade of oak trees to cool the air and their homes, helping reduce energy use and costs. Oaks store more carbon dioxide than other tree species, helping provide clean air.

OAKtober Hike

    To celebrate and create awareness about the value of oak trees and the important natural habitat they provide, Natural Land Institute (NLI) will hold the “OAKtober Hike” on Saturday, Oct. 26. This year’s OAKtober Hike takes place at a new location, NLI’s Lind-McGeachie Preserve, located at 6100 Fitzgerald Rd. in Rockford.

    Staff will lead a guided walking tour of the oak woodlands at this preserve starting at 1:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per individual or $10 per family; admission cost includes a six-month introductory membership to NLI. Admission is free for NLI members.

    The tour will last about two hours and attendees will learn about the importance of the oak ecosystem. They will also see how a derecho this past July impacted the woodlands at this preserve and how volunteers have worked diligently the past few months to clear the parking lot and trails from the damaging wind storm. Expect easy to moderate levels of walking. Dress for the weather. Registration requested by Friday, Oct. 25 by visiting NaturalLand.org or calling 815-964-6666.

About the Natural Land Institute

    The Natural Land Institute, an accredited conservation land trust, is a 501(c)3, non-profit organization based in Rockford, which has protected 18,000 acres of natural land in Illinois since 1958. The current service area covers 12 counties in northern Illinois. NLI’s mission is to create an enduring legacy of natural land in northern Illinois for people, plants and animals.

    For more information and to donate visit NaturalLand.org