Be a ‘Scout’ and ‘Give a Hoot’

For people who like ongoing events, the Plainfield Park District and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie are each offering one that will keep the enjoyment high for several weeks.

Take part in Scout’s Summer Fun Hunt by picking up a copy of Scout’s Fun Hunt map at Plainfield Park District facilities starting July 1. Facilities includes the lobby at the Prairie Activity & Recreation Center (PARC), 24550 W. Renwick Road and the lobby at the Recreation and Administration Center, 23729 W. Ottawa St. during business hours, according to a news release from the Plainfield Park District.

Maps will also be available from 1 to 2:30 p.m. July 12, at the Bott Park playground, 24550 W. Renwick Road, at park district special events and at the park district table at Cruise Nights on Tuesday nights in downtown Plainfield, the release said.

Or download a map by visiting plfdparks.org.

Photographers of all ages: Woodsy Owl will turn 50 on Sept. 15, and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is celebrating this Golden Anniversary year with two events: a “Woodsy Owl and Friends” photo contest and iNaturalist Mobile Application Challenge, according to a news release from Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

Both events end at midnight Aug. 31, the release said.

Each participant can enter up to four photos, one category per photo. Photos must be unfiltered and edited with standard photo editing: basic cropping, lightening, darkening, etc., the release said.

Save photos by category, initials, then title or subject. The photo must be accompanied by a completed and signed USDA Forest Service consent form at bit.ly/9152021.

The categories are:

Woodsy Owl’s Owl Friends: photos of short-eared owls from last winter along the Henslow Trail – and elsewhere.

Wildlife: such as animals, pollinators, turtles and frogs

Native Illinois Prairie Plants: Can include grasses, wildflowers, trees, shrubs, sedgs and more. A list of the over 275 species that are part of the restoration process at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is available online tinyurl.com/t47vba32.

Sunrises and Sunsets: self-explanatory

Photos by Kids (photos taken by children 12 years old and younger)

Share your photos and information with others by taking the “Woodsy Owl and Friends”iNaturalist smartphone application challenge.

Upload at least one photo with information about the species pictured to the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie database in the iNaturalist application. The first 30 “Woodsy Owl and Friends” contributors to the Midewin NTP library in the iNaturalist smartphone application will receive a Woodsy Owl smartphone cover and handle, the release said.

If you’ve already uploaded a photo, send an email to SM.FS.Midewin_RSVP@usda.gov or call 815-423-6370, the release said.

The winning photos will be announced during a special program on Woodsy Owl’s 50th birthday on Sept. 21, the release said.

Winning photos from each category will be featured in the 2022 Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Conservation Education Schedule Booklet, and the grand prize photo will be on the cover of the booklet, the release said.

The booklet is published each spring by the USDA Forest Service Eastern Region and provided to the public at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie trailheads and online, the release said.