The Valley of the Fox Group is one of 14 groups comprising the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club. Chartered in 1992, the group draws its membership from the Fox River Valley and the counties of Kane and Kendall. Also visit us at www.facebook.com/sierraclubvof.

How to go Camping
Wednesday, March 18, 6:30 pm

March 18, 2026, 6:30 pm
Batavia Public Library and on Zoom

Learn everything you need to know about equipment, what to bring, how to set up a tent, ideas for meals and how to cook them.  Then, on April 25^th and 26^th, join us for a camping trip!  See below! Register HERE!

Hiking at Dick Young Forest Preserve
Friday, March 20th, 2026, 10:00 am

Meet at the Big Silo
Leader:  Jan Mangers
This is a beautiful forest preserve.  We may even see some woodland ephemerals emerging early and some sandhill cranes!  It’s always a fun hike around Nelson Lake Marsh. Register HERE!

Hiking at Starved Rock State Park
Saturday, April 18, 2026.  9:00 am

Leaders:  Ray and Janey Wronkiewicz
Hike in the springtime at Starved Rock to enjoy the spring ephemerals. Register HERE!

Message From Our VOF Chair
The Planet is on Fire and We are the Firemen! 

Getting out into nature is one way that we can come together, appreciate the beauty of the earth, and remember how important it is that we take care of the environment for ourselves and future generations to thrive. Valley of the Fox is planning to help us all get outside with a new Hiking Club that will help us stretch our muscles and breathe some fresh air. We are also planning a camping trip in the spring! Outings like this help us to fortify ourselves for our real work of conservation, education, and political action.

We hope you can join us for any of our work or play. We are all needed for the days, weeks, and months ahead. You can get involved with our local Sierra Club in many ways, including help with our forest restoration workdays, attend a program, go for a hike, go camping, or get involved with our political action team. Pick your favorite and come out and become part of the movement. 
    
Mavis Bates, 630-605-9244

Conservation

We love to support the volunteer workdays sponsored by the Kane and Kendall County Forest Preserves. For more information about Kane County go to 
https://kaneforest.com/volunteer or contact Robb Cleave at CleaveRobb@kaneforest.com.

Programs

Our programs are how we provide education and fun to our members and the public. 

   
Let's Go Camping!

Learn everything you need to know about equipment, how to set up a tent, ideas for meals and how to prepare them. 

• March 18, 2026
• Batavia Public Library
• also on Zoom

Then, on April 25th and 26th, join us for a camping trip! See below!

For more information about our programs please call Jan Mangers at 630-917-1779

Outings

Our outings get us outside and put roses in our cheeks. Our leaders, Ray and Janey Wronkiewicz and Jan Mangers are highly qualified, experienced guides, with training both in camping and emergency management. We love them!

Hiking Club

We love to hike! So, every month we will go on a hike, alternating between Friday mornings and Saturdays each month.

• April 18, 2026– 9:00 am Hike in the springtime at Starved Rock to enjoy the spring ephemerals.

Camping

April 25 to 26 (Saturday to Sunday).  

Let’s go camping in the spring at White Pines State Park. We will provide tents, or you can bring your own, or you can make your own reservations to stay in a cabin. Ray will make reservations for the campground. Please sign up on Campfire by April 1st. For questions contact Ray Wronkiewicz at 630-849-5020. Texting is good.

Political Action Committee

Our political committee is ramping up for the 2026 elections. We will be sending our questionnaire out to all of the candidates and interviewing those who send it back. We will endorse those candidates who match our values for the environment. Then the real work begins—getting those candidates elected. (Only dues-paying Sierra Club members can participate in political work). To get involved please call Sandy Kaptain, 224-402-0105.

Lobbying

Our lobbying team is taking a rest while the general assembly is out of session. We are celebrating the passage of two important bills that were highly promoted by Sierra Club: CRGA, or the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, and the Transit Bill. 

Communication and Engagement

We are always looking for new ways to communicate with you, our Valley of the Fox members, and let you know how you can get involved. We are eager to engage members of all ages. To let me know how we can better reach out to you, or to let us know your ideas for our group, please call me, Mavis Bates, at 630-605-9244 or email me at mavis@myinnerharmony.com.