Cub Scout Pack 400
CJB School - Orland Hills, IL

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      Sand Ridge Nature Center

Sand Ridge Nature Center is a 235-acre preserve with four well-marked trails offering easy hiking, from under a mile to 2 miles long. Each trail features different habitats, including prairies, oak savannas and woodlands, marshes, a pond, and ancient sand dunes. Sand Ridge is especially noted for its wonderful spring woodland wildflower display during April and early May, colorful summer prairie wildflowers, and autumn leaf color. Both spring and fall bring many migrating birds that stop to rest and feed in the different habitats. Fans of dragonflies and butterflies are treated to their aerial displays on warm days spring through fall. Winter is beautiful too, with drifts of white snow highlighting the graceful shapes of trees and shrubs, punctuated with the cheery calls and colors of our resident winter birds and the tracks of more secretive animals.

Sand Ridge Nature Center features both the natural history and the cultural history of the Calumet region. Within the modern Nature Center building, the Exhibit Room houses interpretive displays, as well as native local wildlife including snakes, turtles, and fish. A Kids Corner features hands-on activities, displays and animal puppets, puzzles, children’s nature books, and more. The building includes a classroom area where many of the free public nature programs are held, as well as a bird feeder observation area. Outside, visitors can stroll through a colorful butterfly garden, and enjoy a vegetable garden and herb garden displaying plants used by pioneers and Native Americans. There are several reproduction log cabins on site, which depict the lifestyles of early 19th century settlers in Illinois. Pioneer demonstrations are held most Wednesday mornings from May through November — please call to confirm dates and times of demonstrations and activities.