New Kane exhibit focuses on tallgrass prairies
The Kane County Forest Preserve District is inviting the public to the official opening Wednesday of the new Tallgrass Prairie Adventure exhibit at Creek Bend Nature Center in St. Charles.
The event, to begin at 3 p.m., will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, light refreshments and a children’s craft project. Creek Bend Nature Center is
located within LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve at 37W700 Dean St. in St. Charles.
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County
applied for an Illinois Public Museum capital grant for the project in May 2020, according to a press release from the district. The grant program is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
The district received an initial notification in November 2020 that it would be awarded $200,000 for the project. Official approval to move forward with the project was then granted in April 2021.
After soliciting proposals, in June 2021 the Forest Preserve Commission approved a contract with the Chase Studio Exhibit Division of the Ozark Museum of Natural History for the design, fabrication and installation of the exhibit, according to the release.
The exhibit was constructed off-site in Cedarcreek, Missouri, and then transported to St. Charles for installation. The installation of the exhibit began Oct. 10, officials said.
“We’re really excited to show off our long-awaited Tallgrass Prairie Adventure exhibit,” said Environmental Education Manager Barb McKittrick in the release. “This will be entertaining and educational for visitors of all ages. The exhibit depicts a tallgrass prairie both above and below ground, and we can’t wait for people to see it.”
The “above ground” portion of the exhibit includes a representation of typical grasses and models of wildlife that live on the prairie. Below ground is a representation of a fox den, which visitors can crawl through.
There is an interactive station where participants can “discover” various insects, worms and other invertebrates, according to the release.
The prairie interactive section includes touchable models of an American toad, Eastern garter snake and Tiger salamander. Interpretive sign panels provide information on ways to help prairies and the various restoration techniques used in the Kane County forest preserves, according to the release.
Creek Bend Nature Center is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free.