Tick Safety Education

The Trail Society would like to thank Janice and Mia for there very thoughtful suggestion that we are sharing here. The following bolded paragraphs are what we received:

I thought I’d share a quick note of thanks and appreciation. My name is Janice, and I’m currently teaching a k-12 program focused on environmental topics. While preparing materials for the program, I came across the River to River Trail Society links page and just wanted to say thank you for putting this together. I’ll be leading several outdoor field trips soon, and the trail and lnt information you provide is incredibly helpful in teaching the kids the importance of natural habitats and ways to enjoy nature responsibly all times of the year….and it led us to some great trip ideas!

As a thank you, one of my students who’s been helping research materials, Mia, suggested I pass along a tick safety article she found. I’ve included the link below. I always encourage students to take part in their learning and contribute their own discoveries to foster a sense of active environmental stewardship. The class was especially interested in learning how to spot ticks while hiking, and Mia thought it might be a helpful addition to your materials here (rivertorivertrail.net/home/links/). If you’re open to including it, would you mind letting us know? It would mean a lot to Mia to know she contributed something meaningful.

Have a great weekend,

Janice and Mia

Mia’s Suggestion: “Guide to Tick Safety for Backyards, Trails, and Campsites” grillio.com/blog/tick-safety/

As a reminder, this was the main topic of discussion at our Annual meeting and picnic back in June 2025 and Dr. Teresa Steckler, PHD, University of Illinois, provided excellent information. https://rivertorivertrail.net/2025/08/

Saturday, November 8, 2025 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces its 5th public hike of the 2025 Fall hiking season on Nov. 8th.  Hiking: Giant City State Park (Jackson County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a moderate thru hike approximately 6 miles in length approximately 4 hours hiking time. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-841-4838 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the Giant City Visitor Center. This hike is intended for people in very good health who have done some hiking. Hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and snacks. No dogs please. This hike will require shuttling back to the visitor’s center. This hike may be tracked using the Avenza App. map R2R-21 or SNF Makanda map. For a map to the meeting location Giant City Visitors Center click this blue link Giant City Visitors Center and a map will open up, and then click the Directions button and a driving map will be created which will allow you to plan your driving directions to the meeting area. Prior to participating in any hikes, the River to River Trail Society requests that all hikers read the 2023 Trail Society Waiver which can be found on the River to River website at the following link https://rivertorivertrail.net/ and then sign off on this waiver prior to the beginning of the hike. A copy of the waiver will be at the Giant City Visitors Center meeting area for your signature.

Saturday October 25, 2025 Hike Summary

On a cloudy, overcast sky Saturday morning, 17 hikers gathered at the end of Rebman lane, to be led by Melanie Kasson on a hike involving several trails, including parts of the River to River trail, in the South part of Ferne Clyffe State park. We had  2 new hikers, 1 from Vienna, IL and 1 from Nashville TN. All the rest were returning hikers. Remembering that “what goes down, must come back up” we headed NE, down a wide trail. We crossed several “dry” streams today, since, again & still the area has had little rainfall. Trees are turning colors, but, the colors are quite muted. Lots of leaves have already fallen on trails. We wound around and found the Natural bridge/arch, and ate lunch under it. While we were there, one thru-hiker from Aurora came walking up to us.  We chatted with him, asked him if we could help in any way, and he said he needed bandages(probably for blisters). Several hikers found bandages in their backpacks and gave them to him. We included him, Lucas, on the left side in our group picture. Rain sprinkles threatened right at the start of the hike, but nothing materialized at all during or after the hike. We ended up covering 6.5 miles on todays’ hike. 

Next weeks’ hike will be in the Dutchman lake area. Park down by the boat launch. Megan H. will be our hike leader. Until then, “See ya’ll On the Trail.