Belvidere HS KARE Club

04/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CFdPMN9TP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

It's an exciting month at BCCD! We are celebrating Earth Day and the 2026 City Nature Challenge, as well as our Volunteer Saturday event. Let's enjoy this warm Spring weather and get outside!

04/07/2026

Happy Earth Month!

It's an exciting month at BCCD! We are celebrating Earth Day and the 2026 City Nature Challenge, as well as our Volunteer Saturday event. Let's enjoy this warm Spring weather and get outside!

03/28/2026

You do not have to turn your whole backyard into a wildlife garden to attract wildlife. By creating a wildlife garden border you can provide everything wildlife needs within a specific planting area. Here we describe how to make a wildlife border.

03/28/2026

🌾 Restoring Native Landscapes Starts With Seeds 🌾

Each year, the Boone County Conservation District harvests hundreds of native plant seeds to help restore prairies, wetlands, and natural areas across the county. Staff and volunteers carefully collect seeds from May through October, gathering from more than 200 native species annually including wildflowers, grasses, sedges, shrubs, and trees.

To protect ecosystems, only one third to one half of the available seed is collected, leaving plenty behind for wildlife and natural regeneration. After harvest, the seeds are cleaned, stored, and eventually spread across restoration sites to help grow healthy, diverse habitats for pollinators and other wildlife.
Want to learn more about how this process helps shape the landscapes around you?

Visit: https://www.bccdil.org/land-stewardship/seed-harvest/

03/28/2026

These warmer days have definitely got us thinking about the summer and all the fun activities that come with it! Good thing we are partnering with Dells Nature Center again to host our Canoe Convoy programs this summer! Registration opens Wednesday, April 1 - visit https://www.seversondells.com/canoe-convoys

We have 4 exciting opportunities for paddlers of all skill levels!

🛶Intro to Paddling Sessions: Perfect for beginners or those who want to brush up on the basics.

🛶Classic Canoe Convoys: a leisurely paddle down the Kishwaukee River perfect for first-time and even lifelong paddlers!

🛶Intermediate Canoe Convoys: Perfect for intermediate paddlers looking for a bit of a challenge.

🛶Canoe Convoy Day Trip: This program requires previous canoe experience as we will be paddling for 4-5 hours. *This is not a good fit for first-time or inexperienced paddlers.

03/28/2026

Tonight at 8:30 PM (local time), people around the world will take part in Earth Hour by switching off non-essential lights and other electronics for one hour.

“Give an Hour for Earth,” encourages everyone to spend those 60 minutes doing something positive for the planet—whether that’s enjoying nature, learning about conservation, reducing waste, or making a small change that helps the environment.
By joining millions of people in over 200 countries, we can help shine a light on the importance of protecting our planet and building a more sustainable future.

Learn more and get involved: https://www.earthhour.org/

03/26/2026

Please consider taking the time to fill out this anonymous survey regarding the creation of an Urban Forest Management Plan for the City of Belvidere! 🌳 The city wants to hear your thoughts and opinions!

Scan the QR code below or visit the link https://arcg.is/0nzjCS1

03/26/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DvhLcYtBJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Please consider taking the time to fill out this anonymous survey regarding the creation of an Urban Forest Management Plan for the City of Belvidere! 🌳 The city wants to hear your thoughts and opinions!

Scan the QR code below or visit the link https://arcg.is/0nzjCS1

02/22/2026

The Boone County Conservation District has been actively managing invasive trees and shrubs this winter across several Conservation Areas. Primary targets included common buckthorn and bush honeysuckle, both aggressive, non-native shrubs that degrade wildlife habitat. These areas may currently appear stark. This is a temporary and necessary phase in ecological restoration. Removal of invasive canopy and understory species creates favorable conditions for our native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers to reestablish and thrive. If you have questions about the habitat improvement process, please call 815-547-7935 or email [email protected].

02/22/2026

Who’s been wandering the trails when no one is looking? Find out at our Whose Track Is That program on February 28th from 9 to 10 AM. Meet at our Roger Gustafson Nature Center. Join BCCD to learn how to identify animal tracks and signs in the winter landscape and discover which critters call our preserves home. This is a family-friendly program so bring the whole gang!
Registration is required so be sure to sign up by emailing [email protected] or calling 815-547-7935 before spots fill up.

02/22/2026

Upcoming volunteer opportunity!

Kinnikinnick Creek Nature Preserve needs you! Join the , the , and the Boone County Conservation District for our Eco-Stewardship Volunteer Kick-off Event to help save the Oak Woodlands on Saturday, February 28 from 9:00-12:00PM! 🌳

By joining us for the Kick-Off event and future Eco-Stewardship volunteer workdays you can:
-Explore and restore this beautiful bluff ecosystem
-Make cool friends & build community
-Revive biodiversity for an ancient oak savanna
-Learn about ecology & stewardship
-Make a meaningful difference for the Earth!

No experience is necessary! We provide the tools and instruction; you provide the energy! Please bring a full water bottle and wear clothes and sturdy shoes you can work in. We recommend avoiding synthetic outerwear, as it can get snagged or burned by the brush fire.

When arriving, follow the signs for parking. If you have accessibility needs, please let us know.

RSVP here: https://forms.gle/5rwye5SEABdsGiJPA

02/22/2026

KARE club did some winter seed sowing this past week! Looking forward to spring flowers!