Come join us on Saturday, March 3, 2012 for a field trip as we explore many of the ancient elephants (a.k.a., mammoths and mastodons) that have been excavated and preserved around DuPage County. Jack MacRae, Naturalist, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County will lead us on the day-long excursion and field experience. This is a field trip to supplement Mr. MacRae’s January, 2012 ESCONI general meeting presentation and should bring additional insights into the area’s glacial and post-glacial past.

We will meet at 9:00 a.m. for our first stop, Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center, 3609 Spring Road (off of York and Ogden Avenues), Oak Brook 60523 where we will examine the reconstructed remains of a 13,000-year-old woolly mammoth which is on display. Next we travel to Wheaton College where we encounter the 11,000-year old Perry mastodon which was found in nearby Glen Ellyn. The mastodon spins on a turntable to show both its skeletal remains and as it appeared when it was “fleshed out.” We also may have a short presentation by the exhibit’s curator. There is an audio presentation at the exhibit as well.

Afterward, there is a lunch break (on your own). After lunch, we will reconvene at Blackwell Forest Preserve, Winfield to see the site where the Fullersburg mammoth was first discovered and where Mr. MacRae will bring hands-on examples of ancient elephant bones and teeth. Our trip will conclude with a tour of the Phillips’s Park Visitor’s Center and Mastodon Gallery in Aurora where we will continue our investigations of the Chicagoland area during glacial times. Outside the facility is a full-size replica of a mastodon. On exhibit, are prehistoric bones, tusks, and teeth of the huge creatures that roamed Aurora at the time of the last glaciers. We will view a 15-minute presentation on how the mastodons were found in Phillip’s Park.

There is no cost for this field trip. However, please remember that field trips are only open to current ESCONI members. The field trip is open to all ESCONI members. This field trip also is limited to 30 participants. Reservations are being taken until February 25th. First-come, first served. Driving instructions to all the sites will be available at Fullersburg Woods. We are scheduled to end the excursion around 5:00 p.m.

For further information or to make your reservation, please contact Joe Kubal, ESCONI Event Coordinator, 30W600 Sunrise Road, Naperville, IL 60563, 630-983-6159, SMKubal0712@aol.com.