1. Sugar Grove Nature Center
in Funks Grove
Exposing the Public to Greenways
Nature Play

2. Funks Grove
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is the largest remaining intact Prairie Grove in
the State of Illinois
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over 1,100 acres have been permanently
protected through the Illinois Nature Preserves
Commission & conservation easements
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portions are designated as a National Natural
Landmark by the US Dept. of the Interior
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ownership & protection of Funks Grove is a
unique partnership between Funks Grove
Cemetery Association, Sugar Grove Foundation,
and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

3. Sugar Grove Nature Center

20. The mission of Sugar Grove Nature Center is to
provide a place where individuals can experience,
study, and enjoy the environment and history of
Funks Grove, and in so doing be inspired to
become responsible stewards of the environment.

21. Connecting Kids with Nature
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Field Trips (public, private, daycare)
Homeschool classes
Scout programs & camping
Monthly preschool programs
Nature-themed birthday parties
Nature & Science Field Days
Stewardship Day
Summer Nature Study Classes
Nature Fun Club
Off-site programming
Youth Volunteer Program
Internship Program
Family Nature Exploration Days

26. Imagination Grove

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

28. A Walk in the Deep Woods
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Played outside for
hours or until the street
lights came on
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Finished your
homework quickly so
that you could go play
outside
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Had a secret hideout,
built forts, made stew,
dug for worms, went for
bike rides…

29. The Importance of Connecting
Children with Nature

30. YIKES!
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On average, children spend 30 minutes of
unstructured time outdoors each week.
Children ages 8-10 spend an average of 6
hours a day staring at a screen…watching
TV, playing video games, using computers,
and listening to audio media.
A child is six times more likely to play a
video game that ride a bike.

31. Growing body of research data about the
positive impacts of frequent,
unstructured play in natural spaces on
children’s social, emotional, intellectual,
and physical well-being
Don’t forget…
influence on the life-long conservation
values and behaviors

32. Nature Play
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Not scheduled,
planned, or led by
adults.
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Open-ended, freetime exploration and
recreation without
close adult
supervision.

33. Help Us Dig to China!

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

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

49. Green Space over Screen Space

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

56. Thank You!
Angela Funk, Director
angela@sugargrovenaturecenter.org
www.sugargrovenaturecenter.org
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