Greetings, November 3, 1998

This year, at the Stillman Nature Center, we completed the second phase of our accessibility trail. What is an accessibility trail? as the name suggests, it is a trail designed to be accessible to all visitors whether they walk, ride in a stroller, roll in a wheelchair, or are guided by a caregiver.

The construction of this year's portions of the trail involved more than just applying a layer of compacted rustic granite. Earlier this year, we repaired the brick wall which parallels the public driveway. In the process, we created an opening in the wall to accommodate the trail. We also built a second pondside observation platform that is accessible from the new trail. As we discovered this autumn, having a second dock facilitates the handling of 60 or more school children who are visiting the nature center at the same time.

For those of you unfamiliar with Stillman, it is an 80-acre preserve located on the south side of Penny Road, between Bartlett and Algonquin Roads. We are privately funded and welcome your membership contributions, large or small. Without your help, our accessibility trail would be no more than a landscape architect's drawing.

Stillman's principal mission is hands-on environmental education. We accommodate a variety of groups, from second graders doing a pond study to Harper College students learning arboriculture. Our programs are aimed at teachers as well as their students. Last year, Still joined the ranks of the Museum Partners Science Program which is supported by the Chicago Systemic Initiative and a Scientific Literacy Grant. What this means is that last spring, 25 fifth through eight grade science teachers attended a wetland and birds seminar here at Stillman as part of a graduate credit course. A new class of teachers will visit us in 1999. Some of the other members of the Museum Partners Program include the Field Museum, Brookfield Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium.

For 1999, besides continuing to offer high-quality environmental programs, we plan on further construction of the accessibility trail and related items. We thought that a vacant corner, near the trail's beginning, would provide an ideal location for a small demonstration plot that would have shrubs and perennials that are attractive to birds and other types of desirable wildlife.

The other feature that is near the top of the list is a new larger, parking lot. The current lot only fits four cars. Also, the severe hook in the drive is difficult for bus drivers to navigate. The rate at which we can complete the trail's new features is dependent on your donations. If you are renewing your membership, thank you. If you are considering a donation but would like more information, please don't hesitate to call us at the number listed on the left.

Yours very sincerely,

Susan Allman
Chairman, Board of Directors

Mark Speyer
Executive Director