Events located at Rock Springs Conservation Area and open to all ages unless otherwise indicated. Register online by noon, unless otherwise noted.
April
Thursday, Apr 1, 2021 - Friday, Apr 30, 2021 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
North Gallery
View beautiful nature and wildlife photography captured by local photographer Jane P. Koenig.
Thursday, Apr 1, 2021 - Friday, Apr 30, 2021 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
South Gallery
Encounter animals and wild landscapes captured in the form of paintings and drawings by this local artist.
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.
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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.
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Tuesday, Apr 20, 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.
Spring Volunteer Hike
Tuesday, Apr 20, 2021 | 1:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Conservation District Volunteers will learn a bit more about the different Conservation Areas while looking for flora and fauna. Call or email to register.
Read MoreMacon County Conservation District Board Meeting
Wednesday, Apr 21, 2021 | 5:30 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting at Rock Springs Nature Center
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Saturday, Apr 24, 2021 | 8:00 am - 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.
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Saturday, Apr 24, 2021 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Help clear trash from the banks of the Sangamon River to make it a safer and more beautiful place for wildlife and people.
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Sunday, Apr 25, 2021 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Oglesby Mansion, Decatur, IL
Tour the restored home of Illinois Governor Richard J. Oglesby. Encounter the lives of its family members and explore their late 1800s lifestyle. $2/person. Members are free.
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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 MoreTuesday, Apr 27, 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.
Spring Volunteer Hike
Wednesday, Apr 28, 2021 | 11:00 am
Friend’s Creek Conservation Area, Cisco, IL
Conservation District Volunteers will learn a bit more about the different Conservation Areas while looking for flora and fauna. Call or email to register.
Read MoreMay
Curt Knapp PhotographySaturday, May 1, 2021 - Wednesday, Jun 30, 2021 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
North Gallery
Photographer Curt Knapp presents incredible images of nature, including eagles, wolves, and sunsets.
Kattina Williams Photography Exhibit
Saturday, May 1, 2021 - Wednesday, Jun 30, 2021 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
South Gallery
Enjoy photos of exotic birds, wildlife, and more from local photographer Kattina Williams.
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.
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Saturday, May 1, 2021 | 1:00 pm
BeautifulTrobaughField, Decatur, IL
Home game against McLean County Prairie Chickens at BeautifulTroubaughField, Rock Springs Conservation Area.
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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 MoreTuesday, May 4, 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.
Spring Volunteer Hike
Thursday, May 6, 2021 | 10:00 am
Griswold Conservation Area, Blue Mound, IL
Conservation District Volunteers will learn a bit more about the different Conservation Areas while looking for flora and fauna. Call or email to register.
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Thursday, May 6, 2021 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Enjoy music played by Cross Country Classics outside at Rock Springs pavilions.
Read MoreSaturday, 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.
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Sunday, May 9, 2021 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Bluegrass Music Jam offers a perfect opportunity to rediscover musical interests and talents. Bring your instrument, learn a new tune or simply enjoy the musical talents of our volunteers. Free and open to the public.
Read MoreTuesday, May 11, 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.
Spring Volunteer Hike
Friday, May 14, 2021 | 9:00 am
Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Decatur, IL
Conservation District Volunteers will learn a bit more about the different Conservation Areas while looking for flora and fauna. Call or email to register.
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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.
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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 MoreTuesday, May 18, 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.
Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 | 5:30 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting at Rock Springs Nature Center
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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.
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Sunday, May 23, 2021 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Due to a 2018 project to strengthen the farmhouse’s foundation, dirt that had laid dormant underneath for over 100 years was removed. Sifting the dirt revealed a wide variety of artifacts. Join us to learn more about these discoveries. Register online.
Read MoreShape-Note Singing
Sunday, May 23, 2021 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Experienced singers from the Charleston-Mattoon Sacred Harp Singers will delight the public with their unique music.
Read MoreTuesday, May 25, 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.
Thursday, May 27, 2021 | 6:30 pm
Virtual Event, -- ,
Due to a 2018 project to strengthen the farmhouse’s foundation, dirt that had laid dormant underneath for over 100 years was removed. Sifting the dirt revealed a wide variety of artifacts. Join us to learn more about these discoveries. Register online.
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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 MoreSunday, May 30, 2021 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Oglesby Mansion, Decatur, IL
Tour the restored home of Illinois Governor Richard J. Oglesby. Encounter the lives of its family members and explore their late 1800s lifestyle. $2/person. Members are free.
Read MoreSunday, 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 MoreOffices Closed for Memorial Day
Monday, May 31, 2021 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
Offices closed for Memorial Day.
Read MoreJune
Sunday, Jun 13, 2021 - Tuesday, Jun 15, 2021 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL
The 2021 Walleye Fishing Trip is cancelled.
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Saturday, Jun 26, 2021 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Homestead Prairie Farm, Decatur, IL
Enjoy an Independence Day celebration 1860s style. Tour Homestead Prairie Farm, watch a vintage rules base ball game, and enjoy a period music concert.
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