Thirteen sixth-graders grabbed their journals and sat down ready to learn more about the environment during the Mighty Acorns program, offered by The Conservation Foundation in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin.

Elgin resident Ben Schwarz, a board member of both organizations, was instrumental in getting the Mighty Acorns program offered at the facility.

Conservation Foundation educator Maura Neuffer said the kids learn to identify leaves, keep a nature journal, and learn about seeds.

“They learn that from the mighty acorn comes the great oak,” Neuffer said. “And from young people come great things.”

The program meets weekly for 16 weeks at the club, where kids will do hands-on activities learning about biodiversity and habitats. Once a month, they’ll head out to the Hawthorne Hill Nature Center to explore the woods and participate in restoration efforts.

The Mighty Acorns program is offered throughout the Chicago area to fourth-, fifth-, and sixt- grade students, and is a collaborative effort that requires community organizations to work together. The Conservation Foundation currently offers the program in six schools at six natural area sites in Kane and DuPage counties.

Now in its 17^th year, the Mighty Acorns program reaches more than 500 students each year who learn about land and water resources, and how to help restore the natural areas in their own neighborhoods.

Mighty Acorns, funded mostly with donations, develops leadership, confidence and stewardship skills by getting kids outside to learn, explore and care for nature in their community.

The Conservation Foundation is one of the region’s largest and oldest private conservation organizations — with more than 4,000 members and donors, and more than 500 volunteers who contribute 20,000 hours per year.

Work is focused in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties to preserve and restore nature in your neighborhood. Find out more at theconservationfoundation.org.

Conservation Foundation educator Maura Neuffer talks about how insects and animals use camoflouge to survive.