By Connie Schmidt
Ruth Najacht
was an avid Sierran, birdwatcher, government observer, and a nature
enthusiast. She was active with the RPG
for many years. When Ruth passed last
December, her friends from RPG decided to remember her with a tour of the
Willowbrook Wildlife Center during the summer months. This special facility cares for and rehabs
wounded wildlife.
Over 20
friends and some of her family from as far as Champaign gathered at the Center
on a nearly 100-degree day in July. Leigh, a Willowbrook naturalist, gave an
interesting chat and slide show overview of the many facets of this amazing
facility. The group headed out to tour
the loop of disabled permanent residents living there and for a special treat,
stopped to feed the friendly woodchuck!
At the end
of the walk the group gathered inside for refreshments and some memories of
Ruth from her family and Forest Preserve Commissioner Mary Lou Wehrli. As a final gesture of remembrance, the group
made a collection for donations in Ruth’s memory. $500 was collected, with the IL Chapter
offering a $1000 donation, as well. The
funds will go for the general account of Willowbrook Wildlife Center. An engraved brick with a memory of Ruth will
be purchased in Ruth’s memory. Here’s to
a life well lived, thank you Ruth Najacht!
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