Nature Rangers 2024
Nature Rangers has programs for all ages and children’s activities that will last the entire year. Come to the Rakow Branch to see our collection of books and kits. Nature Ranger activity sheets (for ages 6-10) and folders are now available!
Topics
Nature Rangers has a new activity and information sheet for each of the 6 topics we will cover in 2024! Pick them up at the Rakow Branch.
January/February
Winter Survival: Hibernation, Adaptation, and Migration
How animals survive the winter months.
To learn more about all the various wildlife that adapt to cold months, hibernate during winter, or migrate to warmer climates to survive, checkout our collection of books.
Events
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Nature Rangers presents Illinois Wildlife
Activities
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How Animals Survive Winter Months Activity Sheet
March/April
Frogs & Toads!
To learn about these amphibians and how to tell them apart, hop to it and pick up the new handout at the Rakow Branch. Be sure to checkout our collection of books, too.
Events
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Frog and Toad Adventure
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Earth Day Family Festival
May/June
Coming soon
Nature Rangers Kits
Nature Rangers Kit: Tree Exploration
The Nature Rangers backpack collection was created to encourage children to explore nature and learn about how plants support wildlife. The focus for 2022 is on trees in the beautiful forest preserves in our library district.
Each backpack kit includes 4 books, 1 fold-out pocket guide, tree ID half sheets, 6 wood slices, laminated leaves, tree word search, binoculars, leafy scavenger hunt, bark rubbing material, and dry erase markers.
Nature Rangers Kit: Insects Discovery
The Nature Rangers backpack collection was created to encourage children to explore nature.
Each backpack kit contains 3 books, 4 fold-out pocket guide, 20 insect life cycle figurines, 1 magnifying glass, insect diagrams, butterfly word search, insect scavenger hunt, and dry erase markers
Nature Rangers Kit: Dig into Soil!
Each backpack kit includes 4 books, 2 petri dishes with lids, 1 pocket microscope, 1 hand shovel, 1 soil word search, 1 burrowing worm maze, and 1 dry erase marker.
Past Events & Activities
Nature Rangers, previously known as Rakow Rangers from 2020-2023, content can be found below.
Rakow Rangers 2023: Dig into Soil
Activities
Rakow Rangers 2022: Tree Exploration
Activities
Information for Parents and Adults
Leave No Trace
When spending time in nature, it is important to be conscious of the effects our actions may have on plants, animals, and even entire ecosystems. We have included two important principles below to keep in mind when visiting natural spaces. The two principles outlined below are part of the Leave No Trace Seven Principles.
- Leave What You Find
- Leave rocks, plants, and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Respect Wildlife
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, [habituates them to humans], and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
Rakow Rangers 2021: Start in Your Yard
Activities
