Learn to appreciate insects Saturday

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Insect Awareness and Appreciation Day returns Saturday to the War Bluff Valley Sanctuary in Pope County.

The day is filled with field trips, a potluck dinner, raffle, storytelling and live music all intended to educate and edify on the overlooked world beneath our feet, in the air, upon or within the water or hidden under the bark of trees.

This will be the 14th year the Shawnee Audubon Society has hosted the event.

This year's schedule is:

-- 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. -- Registration and welcome.

-- 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. -- Afternoon Adventures with insect experts from around the state leading four different field trips: Workshops on rearing and attracting butterflies; the secrets of insects and pollination; searching ponds, soils, streams and fields for exciting critters; insect zoo, face painting, children's activities and insect crafts.

-- 6 p.m. -- Potluck dinner where attendees are asked to bring a dish to share with the main dish provided.

-- 7 p.m. -- The "Really Cool" Raffle of insect and nature-related items.

-- 8 p.m. -- Music of RognboB, billed as "The return of the Gospel of Goof; rowdy folk music with a Southern Illinois twist." The group pledges to "Play 'til the ants drag you home!"

-- After dark is the Creatures of the Night event employing white sheets and spotlights designed to attract interesting moths and other night insects.

-- To reach the sanctuary from Harrisburg drive south on Illinois Route 145, turn left on Eddyville Road, left on Bushwhack Road, left at the T and look for the sanctuary sign.