Kid-Friendly Events
Tuesday, Mar 9, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center
Learn about the natural world around you during free, weekly Naturalist Chats on the West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center.
Night Hike
Saturday, Mar 13, 2021 | 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Griswold Conservation Area, Blue Mound, IL
Explore Griswold Conservation Area in the dark and use your senses to find the way through the woods. Discover what makes your eyes, ears, and nose work at night. Register online by March 12.
Read MoreSeasons Changes Hike
Sunday, Mar 14, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Sand Creek Conservation Area, Decatur, IL
Explore nature on a guided hike as we move from winter into spring. Register online.
Read MoreNaturalist Chats
Tuesday, Mar 16, 2021 | 10:00 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center
Learn about the natural world around you during free, weekly Naturalist Chats on the West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center.
Rag Doll Workshop
Saturday, Mar 20, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Rag dolls have been one of the most popular forms of children’s toys throughout history. Create and personalize your own old-fashioned rag doll. All supplies provided. Register online.
Read MorePreschool Peepers: St. Patrick’s Day
Sunday, Mar 21, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Learn about clovers and other green plants re-emerging from their winter sleep. Children will go on a scavenger hunt and paint with marshmallows. Register online.
Read MoreNaturalist Chats
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center
Learn about the natural world around you during free, weekly Naturalist Chats on the West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center.
Virtual Program: Birds of a Feather
Wednesday, Mar 24, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Virtual Event, -- ,
Learn all about birds and their many adaptations through the use of several skulls, feathers, and mounts. Find out what makes our feathered friends so special and which ones you could find in your own backyard. Register online.
Read MoreNaturalist Chats
Tuesday, Apr 6, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center
Learn about the natural world around you during free, weekly Naturalist Chats on the West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center.
Virtual Rock Springs Ramble
Saturday, Apr 10, 2021 | All Day
Virtual Event, -- ,
Support local natural areas and wildlife at the Rock Springs Ramble 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run.
Read MoreNaturalist Chats
Tuesday, Apr 13, 2021 | 10:00 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center
Learn about the natural world around you during free, weekly Naturalist Chats on the West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center.
Canoe the Sangamon
Saturday, Apr 17, 2021 | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Paddle a canoe down one of our local waterways, the Sangamon River. All equipment provided. Register online by April 16.
Read MorePreschool Peepers: Tadpoles
Sunday, Apr 18, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Baby frogs go through some amazing changes! Find out all about tadpoles, make a frog life-cycle craft, then head down to the pond and see if you can find any amphibian friends. Register online by April 16.
Read MoreNaturalist Chats
Tuesday, Apr 20, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center
Learn about the natural world around you during free, weekly Naturalist Chats on the West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center.
Festival of Spring 2021
Saturday, Apr 24, 2021 | 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Celebrate Earth Day and welcome spring with a day of in-person and virtual activities! Families and adults can enjoy naturalist-led hikes at Rock Springs, and children can collect take home activities from local organizations that work to protect water and wildlife.
Watch bird banding and a Birds of Prey show by the Illinois Raptor Center Live on our Facebook page or register for an in-person presentation.
Read MoreWildflower Hike
Sunday, Apr 25, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Venture into the forests and prairies with a naturalist. We will search for as many species of these beautiful spring delights as we can, including Virginia bluebells, spring beauties, and more. Register online.
Read MoreNaturalist Chats
Tuesday, Apr 27, 2021 | 10:00 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center
Learn about the natural world around you during free, weekly Naturalist Chats on the West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center.
Bethel School Open House
Saturday, May 1, 2021 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Friend’s Creek Conservation Area, Cisco, IL
See what going to school was like in the early 20th century at this historic one-room schoolhouse located at Friends Creek Conservation Area.
Read MoreRock Springs Ground Squirrels vs. McLean County Prairie Chickens
Saturday, May 1, 2021 | 1:00 pm
BeautifulTrobaughField, Decatur, IL
Home game against McLean County Prairie Chickens at BeautifulTroubaughField, Rock Springs Conservation Area.
Read MorePollinator Power
Sunday, May 2, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Discover the amazing world of pollination as we discuss those native to our area, including bumblebees and mason bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even wasps. Register online.
Read MoreNaturalist Chats
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center
Learn about the natural world around you during free, weekly Naturalist Chats on the West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center.
Canoe the Sangamon
Saturday, May 8, 2021 | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Paddle a canoe down one of our local waterways, the Sangamon River. All equipment provided. Register online by May 7.
Read MoreNaturalist Chats
Tuesday, May 11, 2021 | 10:00 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center
Learn about the natural world around you during free, weekly Naturalist Chats on the West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center.
Bird Banding Open House
Saturday, May 15, 2021 | 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Join the Decatur Audubon Society and Millikin University professor Dr. Travis Wilcoxen for a look at bird banding: the practice of catching wild birds to collect data and place a metal band for identification on their leg.
Read MorePreschool Peepers: Bluebirds
Sunday, May 16, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
What’s so special about Eastern bluebirds? Young children are invited to find out by visiting a bluebird nest box, doing a craft, and learning about their natural history. Register online.
Read MoreNaturalist Chats
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center
Learn about the natural world around you during free, weekly Naturalist Chats on the West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center.
Night Hike
Saturday, May 22, 2021 | 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Griswold Conservation Area, Blue Mound, IL
Explore Griswold Conservation Area in the dark and use your senses to find the way through the woods. Register online by May 21.
Read MoreNaturalist Chats
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 | 10:00 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center
Learn about the natural world around you during free, weekly Naturalist Chats on the West Lawn of Rock Springs Nature Center.
Nighttime Frog Quest
Saturday, May 29, 2021 | 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Test your frog-finding abilities by searching for as many species of frogs as you can discover! Register online.
Read MoreWildflower Hike
Sunday, May 30, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Venture into the forests and prairies with a naturalist. We will search for as many species of these beautiful spring delights as we can, including Virginia bluebells, spring beauties, and more. Register online.
Read MoreWalleye Fishing Trip to Lake Erie
Sunday, Jun 13, 2021 - Tuesday, Jun 15, 2021 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Join staff on a trip to the Great Lakes to fish for walleye on a charter boat. Register online by June 1.
Read More