Sugar Grove Nature CenterSugar Grove Nature Centerin Funks Grovein Funks Grove

Exposing the Public to GreenwaysExposing the Public to GreenwaysNature PlayNature Play

Funks GroveFunks Grove is the largest remaining intact Prairie Grove in is the largest remaining intact Prairie Grove in

the State of Illinoisthe State of Illinois

over 1,100 acres have been permanently over 1,100 acres have been permanently protected through the Illinois Nature Preserves protected through the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission & conservation easementsCommission & conservation easements

portions are designated as a National Natural portions are designated as a National Natural Landmark by the US Dept. of the InteriorLandmark by the US Dept. of the Interior

ownership & protection of Funks Grove is a ownership & protection of Funks Grove is a unique partnership between Funks Grove unique partnership between Funks Grove Cemetery Association, Sugar Grove Foundation, Cemetery Association, Sugar Grove Foundation, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resourcesand the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Sugar Grove Nature CenterSugar Grove Nature Center

The mission of Sugar Grove Nature Center is to The mission of Sugar Grove Nature Center is to provide a place where individuals can experience, provide a place where individuals can experience, study, and enjoy the environment and history ofstudy, and enjoy the environment and history of

Funks Grove, and in so doing be inspired toFunks Grove, and in so doing be inspired tobecome responsible stewards of the environment.become responsible stewards of the environment.

Connecting Kids with NatureConnecting Kids with Nature Field Trips (public, private, daycare)Field Trips (public, private, daycare) Homeschool classesHomeschool classes Scout programs & campingScout programs & camping Monthly preschool programsMonthly preschool programs Nature-themed birthday partiesNature-themed birthday parties Nature & Science Field DaysNature & Science Field Days Stewardship DayStewardship Day Summer Nature Study ClassesSummer Nature Study Classes Nature Fun ClubNature Fun Club Off-site programmingOff-site programming Youth Volunteer ProgramYouth Volunteer Program Internship ProgramInternship Program Family Nature Exploration DaysFamily Nature Exploration Days

Imagination GroveImagination Grove

Imagination Grove is a place Imagination Grove is a place where kids can be kids, designed where kids can be kids, designed to form a bond between children to form a bond between children and nature that lasts a lifetime!and nature that lasts a lifetime!

A Walk in the Deep WoodsA Walk in the Deep Woods Played outside for Played outside for

hours or until the street hours or until the street lights came onlights came on

Finished your Finished your homework quickly so homework quickly so that you could go play that you could go play outsideoutside

Had a secret hideout, Had a secret hideout, built forts, made stew, built forts, made stew, dug for worms, went for dug for worms, went for bike rides…bike rides…

The Importance of Connecting The Importance of Connecting Children with NatureChildren with Nature

YIKES!YIKES!

On average, children spend 30 minutes of On average, children spend 30 minutes of unstructured time outdoors each week.unstructured time outdoors each week.

Children ages 8-10 spend an average of 6 Children ages 8-10 spend an average of 6 hours a day staring at a screen…watching hours a day staring at a screen…watching TV, playing video games, using computers, TV, playing video games, using computers, and listening to audio media.and listening to audio media.

A child is six times more likely to play a A child is six times more likely to play a video game that ride a bike.video game that ride a bike.

Growing body of research data about the Growing body of research data about the positive impacts of frequent, positive impacts of frequent,

unstructured play in natural spaces on unstructured play in natural spaces on children’s social, emotional, intellectual, children’s social, emotional, intellectual,

and physical well-beingand physical well-being

Don’t forget…Don’t forget…influence on the life-long conservation influence on the life-long conservation

values and behaviorsvalues and behaviors

Nature PlayNature Play

Not scheduled, Not scheduled, planned, or led by planned, or led by adults.adults.

Open-ended, free-Open-ended, free-time exploration and time exploration and recreation without recreation without close adult close adult supervision.supervision.

Help Us Dig to China!Help Us Dig to China!

Time Spent Outdoors Shapes Character, Time Spent Outdoors Shapes Character, Health, & Environmental Attitudes.Health, & Environmental Attitudes.

Along with milk and vegetables, kids Along with milk and vegetables, kids need a steady diet of rocks and worms!need a steady diet of rocks and worms!

Green Space over Screen SpaceGreen Space over Screen Space

Put nature back into children’s Put nature back into children’s heartshearts, not just their brains., not just their brains.

Thank You!Thank You!

Angela Funk, Directorangela@sugargrovenaturecenter.org

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