The goal of this project is to evaluate the possibility for a new interpretive center to expand educational offerings and harmoniously connect with the natural environment of the preserve. The study will identify programming and potential locations for the new center and its scale, character, and cost. The forest preserve district is working with a team of consultants, including Lake|Flato Architects and MKSK, to facilitate this effort. 

In this meeting, the consultants will describe the project purpose and existing conditions that factor into the project, seek to understand community preferences for the new interpretive center, and share examples of other similar facilities. This first public meeting will be held virtually on July 8, 2020. Following the presentation, next steps will be shared, and questions will be taken. 

Though current state and federal COVID-19 pandemic guidelines allow for gatherings with proper precautions, this meeting will be conducted virtually using Zoom software to ensure the safety of the public. Details about this event will also be shared on the Champaign County Forest Preserve District’s webpage (www.ccfpd.org). 

This public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 8th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm with opportunities to engage digitally via comments/questions virtually. Join via Zoom: For PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device.

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The trails within forest preserves of Champaign County are often filled with runners, hikers and bikers throughout the day.

But at night, when the people gather inside their homes, foot traffic on the trails quiets.

Part of this is because the Champaign County Forest Preserve parks are only open during day time hours. But on January 9 and 10, Homer Lake Forest Preserve will open their gates for an annual January full moon hike from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

“These programs offer an opportunity for a new experience”. Jennifer Wick, Public Program Specialist for the Champaign County Forest Preserve, said. “Hiking in the evening is a really great experience, and there is a lot to take in. It’s just as exciting as daytime; there are different things to observe at different times.”

Wick begins the hike with a brief presentation indoors. As participants venture onto the hiking trails outdoors, she encourages them to not use artificial light so that the group can talk about how other senses will be heightened when vision by moonlight is limited.

During the family hike on January 10, Wick plans interactive activities so that children can learn more about night vision for humans and wild animals.

The adult hike on January 9 is a little longer walk where visitors will take time to look up at the moon, view constellations, and maybe even experience wildlife.

“Out here at Homer Lake, it’s just going to be darker than it is in town because we don’t have a lot of lighting throughout the park and we are also a little bit outside of town,” Wick said. “You’re just able to see more of the night sky.”

“If you live in Champaign- Urbana, you can’t see the stars very well, even on a clear night. Being out here gives them an opportunity to really get to see the stars in the sky.”

Being removed from town and traffic also offers visitors an opportunity to hear more, too.

“It’s really just a no interruption experience to listen and observe nature at night,” Wick said. “Whereas it might seem like there is nothing going on, there actually is a lot to hear and see at night.”

A $3 fee is charged for persons over the age of 2. Pre-registration is required, as there is a limited number of spaces, and can be completed by visiting ccfpd.org.

*The forecast currently calls for rain on both program dates. If rain is not in the forecast, the forest preserve will still hold the programs, but that may still mean overcast skies. You can check the Homer Lake Interpretive Center Facebook page for program updates and cancellation notices, or call the interpretive center at 217-896-2455. Those who have registered will be notified of any cancellations. If rain is in the forecast, the event will be canceled and will not be rescheduled.

The post Full Moon Hike at Homer Lake scheduled for Jan. 9 and 10 first appeared on SJO Daily.

Santa has come, the presents have been unwrapped and the family ornaments have been taken off the tree.

Those with an artificial tree will pack it up for next year, while those with a live tree figure out what to do next.

The sooner a live tree can get out the door, the less likely it is to become a fire hazard. One of every four home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems or because the tree is too close to a heat source.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, Christmas tree fires cause an average of three deaths, 15 injuries and $10 million in property damage each year.

Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home.

While chopping up a live tree and taking it to a land waste facility is an option, the reality is that there are several ways to dispose of it that will benefit the environment.

The Champaign County Forest Preserve District offers tree recycling options.

The Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Homer Lake Forest Preserve and Middle Fork River Forest Preserve will accept Christmas Trees for recycling from Dec. 26 through Jan. 18. Only undecorated live Christmas trees will be accepted.

Some of the trees are chipped for mulch, but others are placed in the lake to be used as an artificial habitat for aquatic species, especially fish. The trees provide protection, food and shade for young fish. In contrast, they also provide great ambush points for predatory fish such as Large Mouth Bass. The structures are hotspots for breeding and spawning.

Birds also benefit from repurposed live Christmas trees.

By placing your tree in the yard, away from your home, birds can find refuge from the bitter cold in the branches of the tree. Fresh orange slices and popcorn can be used to attract the birds.

It is important to make sure all decorations have been removed from the tree, though.

After a year, the limbs will become brittle and can be taken off by hand or in a chipper.

The chipped wood can be used as mulch for the garden or spread on hiking trails.

Indoor burning is not recommended. The sap from the fresh tree can create a fire hazard in your chimney or vent piping.

The post Help the Environment by Disposing of Live Christmas tree properly first appeared on SJO Daily.

The Champaign County Forest Preserve District is ready to develop a five-year strategic plan that will take its vision into 2025.

But first, they are looking for input from their constituents in Champaign County.

The process, which began in the fall of 2018, will come to a head at the Dec. 19 board meeting.

During the last year, the Forest Preserve board, staff and public have put together an initial vision for the priorities of the district.

During the month of October, the District utilized public comment during two sessions held in Mahomet and Homer.

Marketing Coordinator Lisa Sprinkle said that the feedback received was important.

One couple wanted to know more about the district’s cross-country skiing trails while an avid visitor offered important insight into opportunities at Homer Lake.

After the Nov. 14 board meeting, the District decided to pause a little longer to gain additional information from the community through an online survey.

While the District’s mission has remained the same since its establishment in 1948:  the conservation of the county’s natural and cultural resources, educational opportunities

designed to increase the community’s knowledge and appreciation of these resources, and recreational opportunities consistent with conserving the natural qualities of the District’s resource base, the development of a five-year strategic plan will help the District understand how it can best serve its stakeholders while protecting the natural assets for generations to come.

The 5-minute survey asks responders to reflect on the District’s vision and mission statement while they also provide feedback on what is most important to visitors and what might be important to develop in the future.

Sprinkle said that throughout the District’s six forest preserves, guests will find signs with QR codes that will lead them to the survey. The survey can also be accessed directly here.

The data collected will be presented to the District’s board on Dec. 19, and a plan will be developed to ensure that staff and stakeholders are working towards common goals.

The post Champaign County Forest Preserve asks public for input on strategic plan first appeared on SJO Daily.

In order to gather vital insight from residents, the CCFPD will host two public meetings in October.

The District is looking for input that helps them develop a strategic plan that will guide the Forest Preserve District over the next five years. At the meetings, guests can help the district address these questions:

1.   What is the purpose of the Preserve District and how can we better serve the

Champaign County community? (Mission)

2.   What do we want to achieve? (Vision)

3.   How are we going to get there? (Plan)

Input will be gathered on: Monday, October 28 at Lake of the Woods Pavilion, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, Mahomet, Illinois starting at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 30 at Salt Fork Center, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, Homer, Illinois starting at 6:30 p.m.

The post CCFPD looks for community input on strategic plan first appeared on SJO Daily.

Lou DiBello started his career as a musician like many other teenagers.

As a boy, he learned the piano and saxophone before picking up the guitar at age 15.

“My first live shows with a band were in my senior year in high school. We played a few parties and a school event,” DiBello said.

But unlike many young musicians, DiBello continued on after graduation.

Since then, he’s performed in over 3,000 professional gigs, and will play in over 150 shows in 2019.

“Live playing is what it is all about for me, facing the challenge of performing as well as I possibly can, every time,” he said. “And feeling the connection with the crowd, which is especially strong when I am playing my best.”

Over the years, DiBello has performed alongside some Central Illinois greats, such as Toyzz, Blanche Talley, Mistress ESP and in David Howie’s Live Jukebox Show. But he’s also been in the spotlight, singing lead and performing in the instrumental version of The Lou DiBello Band.

DiBello now enjoys being center stage in the three-piece Lou DiBello Band alongside Ron Phelps on drums and vocals and Stacy Krejci on bass and vocals.

“It has been very rewarding, as I really am focused more than ever on doing my own thing,” he said. “I play a fair amount of original music at almost every show, and I put my own spin on most of the cover material.”

This month, DiBello is releasing his fifth solo album, “American Rock Hard.”

“It is also the first to feature me singing almost all the material, and I am actually really happy with the results,” he said.

Besides the solo albums, DiBello has also released two albums by ESP, and played on the six-song Blanche Talley release.

“I have so many diverse influences,” he said.

“While I play mainly rock and blues-influenced style, I am a fan of many styles, and listened to everything from Hendrix and the Beatles to Frank Zappa, jazz and classical.

“A huge influence early on was my uncle Dave, who is to this day an incredible jazz guitarist.”

The Lou DiBello Band is performing three times in the area this weekend. The band starts off at The Pink Pig in Ogden on Thursday before moving on to Sidney Fun Days on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Their weekend will end at the Homer Lake Forest Preserve on Sunday the 28th as they perform from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Champaign County Forest Preserve’s Summer Concert Series.

“I want people to remember that they saw a really great guitar player,” he said.

“Of course I want them to have a good time, but if they enjoy music and they get to see something different than the average cover band, usually that translates into a fun, memorable evening.”

DiBello will have copies of his new CD and latest release “Heat Wave” along with T-shirts at his shows.

To learn more about Lou DiBello and his upcoming performances visit www.loudibello.com or follow him on Facebook.

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