Date – Time

July 23, 2026 – 10:30 AM

Location

Baumann Park
218 S. Walnut St.
Cherry Valley, IL 61016 US

Additional Information

Water Quality & Fishing at Baumann Park:

We will meet at Baumann Park for a discussion about the importance of watershed health and how human activities contribute to water pollution. Students will learn about biological magnification and how pollutants move through the food web. We will collect water samples from the Kishwaukee River and Baumann Lake and test them for indicators of pollution. Students will also have the opportunity to fish using equipment borrowed from the local library. Fish that are caught will be transported on ice and donated to Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation for feeding the waterbirds they rehab there. During the fishing portion of the meeting, we will discuss responsible recreation practices, including avoiding lead tackle and properly disposing of fishing line.

Let's meet near the lake in the parking lot nearest the restrooms. Make sure you dress with weather conditions in mind. We will not be in any tall grasses, so ticks are less of a concern this time. But there may be mosquitoes and we may get wet. Please bring drinking water! I will have bug spray and sunscreen available.

Lastly, anyone under the age of 16 is legally allowed to fish without a license. However, if any adults intend to participate in the fishing portion of our volunteer day, or if you have teens that are 16+, please reach out to me to discuss acquiring a fishing license. The state of Illinois offers inexpensive "day passes" and we have club funds available to offset the cost associated with those. I can be reached via text at 630-533-0661 or via email at [email protected]

The Environmental Stewardship Club is a hands-on, service-focused club designed for homeschool students who want to make a real difference in their local environment. This club is best suited for ages 12 and up, though younger siblings may participate if they can safely and meaningfully engage in the activities. Meetings will typically last 2-3 hours, depending on the project.