Mother Nature Meets MyFitnessPal in Kane County Forest Preserves
Forest Preserve District of Kane County Nature Programs Manager Valerie Blaine is an avid walker who lives and works in the woods. Her “Nature Nearby” column appears on Kane County Connects on the last business day of each month and provides a preview of upcoming nature programs for you and your family. You may reach her at blainevalerie@kaneforest.com
Looking for a way to get more steps in each day? Head out to your nearest forest preserve!
The forest preserves are a big fitness center. This isn’t just a metaphor, there’s some science behind the statement. In forest preserves there are trails instead of treadmills, hills instead of benches, and trees instead of TVs. This green gym offers the opportunity to walk on real ground and engage more leg muscles than you ever thought you had. You’ll work your quads, your soleus — and those all-important glutes.
The health benefits of walking in nature have been known for quite some time. Way before Fitbits and Nikes, people espoused woods-walking for physical as well as spiritual health.
“I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four hours a day at least … sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields,” wrote Henry David Thoreau in 1862.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, another 19th century writer, didn’t measure fitness in steps, but rather shoes.
“I measure your health by the number of shoes and hats and clothes you have worn out,” he commented in 1851. “He is the richest man who pays the largest debt to his shoemaker.”
Naturalist John Muir ditched the shoes altogether at times.
“I like to walk, touch living Mother Earth—bare feet best, and thrill every step,” he reflected in the latter half of the 19th century. “[I] used to envy happy reptiles that had advantage of so much body in contact with earth … [We] live with our heels as well as head and most of our pleasure comes in that way.”
No matter how you’re shod, there are lots of opportunities to hike in Kane County. You can go Thoreau-style (alone), or with family and friends, as Mark Twain seemed to like. Twain wrote that, “walking is good to time the movement of the tongue by, and to keep the blood and the brain stirred up and active; the scenery and the woodsy smells are good to bear in upon a man an unconscious and unobtrusive charm and solace to eye and soul and sense; but the supreme pleasure comes from the talk.”
Walk the Walk With These May Programs!
You can take steps toward fitness by checking out the following nature programs in May. To learn more about any or all of these programs, call 630-444-3190 or visit programs@kaneforest.com.
Trek With a Naturalist May 19
If you prefer the company of others — but not a whole lot of talking — check out our new, monthly “Trek with a Naturalist” program. Each month we’ll visit a different preserve with the express purpose of walking briskly. These invigorating hikes for adults will be led by one of the District’s naturalist staff. This month, we’ll take an evening hike from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the Dick Young Forest Preserve in Batavia.
This is one of the largest forest preserves in Kane County, comprising 1,285 acres of high-quality prairie, woodlands, and wetlands. Our hike will include a view of the evening sun sinking into the prairie and a chorus of birds in the wetland. The program is free of charge. Please call or email to register, so we know how many people to expect.
Senior Stroll: May 5
For adults who prefer to saunter rather than stride, the district offers a “Senior Stroll” on the first Thursday of each month. On May 5, the program will be at Freeman Kame Forest Preserve, beginning at 10 a.m. We’ll walk through beautiful Camp Tomo-chi-chi Knolls, on the south side of Freeman Road in Gilberts. The pace will be leisurely, and we’ll pause for interpretation of the ecology of the area. Refreshments and social time follow the walk. Registration is not required.
Family Walks: May 12, May 15
Families with kids will also find lots of chances to get out and walk in the preserves. Some of the sistrict’s family walks have special themes, like wildflowers from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, at Dick Young Forest Preserve, or vultures — yes, vultures! — from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday, May 15, at Pingree Grove Forest Preserve. These big, gross birds are really cool, and during our hike at Pingree Grove Forest Preserve, we’ll learn all about their role in ecology.
Nature Tykes: May 26
For those with very tiny walking legs, there are nature programs at Creek Bend Nature Center, in LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve. “Nature Tykes” is for 3-year-olds, and children ages 4 and 5 may attend “Little Naturalists,” and the 4- and 5-year-olds go on a short nature hike.
These programs also include nature stories and crafts. The programs will be held this month on Thursday, May 26, at Creek Bend. Nature Tykes is from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and Little Naturalists is from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. There is a $5 fee for the program, and advance registration is required.
Walking in nature is good for body and soul, no matter what age. Step out into a forest preserve this month. Your heart and soul will be healthier for it!
About the Forest Preserve District of Kane County
The Forest Preserve District of Kane County acquires, holds and maintains land to preserve natural and historic resources, habitats, flora and fauna. The district restores, restocks, protects and preserves open space for the education, recreation and pleasure of Kane County citizens. For more information, visit the district’s website or find them on social media via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Also, sign up for the quarterly TreeLine Newsletter.
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