Programs & Activities – Macon County Conservation District

Events located at Rock Springs Conservation Area and open to all ages unless otherwise indicated. Register online by noon, unless otherwise noted.

February

Audubon Field Trip Bus Grants
Saturday, Feb 1, 2020 - Wednesday, Dec 23, 2020 | 12:00 am

The Decatur Audubon Society is covering bus transportation costs for 20 school buses to take field trips to Rock Springs Nature Center or any of the five Macon County Conservation Areas this year.

Decatur Camera Club Exhibit
Saturday, Feb 1, 2020 - Saturday, Feb 29, 2020 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

North Gallery
Enjoy a wide variety of photography, including scenes of trees, birds, landscapes, and more from talented local photographers.

Melody Arnold Photography Exhibit
Saturday, Feb 1, 2020 - Thursday, Apr 30, 2020 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

South Gallery
Experience the beauty of nature through the eyes of local photographer and outdoor education specialist, Melody Arnold.

Dulcimer Club
Saturday, Feb 22, 2020 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Dulcimer Club Meetings at Rock Springs Nature Center offer 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.

Owl Prowls
Saturday, Feb 22, 2020 | 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Griswold Conservation Area, Blue Mound, IL

Join us to learn about these forest-dwelling nocturnal predators. We will discuss what makes them special, then take a hike to find some. Register online.

Shape-Note Singing
Sunday, Feb 23, 2020 | 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.

Volunteer Event: Quiet of the Woods Hike
Tuesday, Feb 25, 2020 | 10:30 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Conservation District Volunteers will take a refreshing hike through the woods.

Trip to Dickson Mounds and Emiquon Preserve
Wednesday, Feb 26, 2020 | 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Travel with us to Lewistown, IL for a natural and cultural history road trip. Experience Native American exhibits at Dickson Mounds, then visit Emiquon Preserve. Register online.

Leap Day Nature Walk
Saturday, Feb 29, 2020 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Decatur, IL

Take a hike through a quiet winter woodland as we observe an event that only happens once every four years: Leap Day! Free. Register online.

March

Katherine Unruh Artwork Exhibit
Sunday, Mar 1, 2020 - Thursday, Apr 30, 2020 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

North Gallery
Encounter animals and wild landscapes captured in oil and acrylic paintings and drawings

Cross Country Classics
Thursday, Mar 5, 2020 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Enjoy music played by Cross Country Classics. Free.

Volunteer Herbicide Training
Saturday, Mar 7, 2020 | 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Interested in helping with natural area restoration? This training will qualify you to use herbicides as a volunteer on Conservation District lands. According to the Illinois Pesticide Act, this certification must be renewed each calendar year.

Central Illinois Invasive Species
Saturday, Mar 7, 2020 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

This workshop will cover common invasive species found in Central Illinois and how to control them. RSVP by March 5.

Dulcimer Club
Saturday, Mar 7, 2020 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Night Hike
Saturday, Mar 7, 2020 | 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 6.

Bluegrass Music Jam
Sunday, Mar 8, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Bluegrass Music Jam at Rock Springs Nature Center offer 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.

Sly Foxes Mini Camp
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2020 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Children ages 1-5 will discover native red fox that live and play in our wooded areas and view a fox skull, fur, and tracks. Register online by noon the day before camp.

Volunteer Event: Pleistocene Animals of the Midwest
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2020 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Conservation District Volunteers can join Senior Program Naturalist, Brock Rowland, for a program through time about the Pleistocene Animals of the Midwest. RSVP by March 10.

Sly Foxes Mini Camp
Thursday, Mar 12, 2020 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Children ages 1-5 will discover native red fox that live and play in our wooded areas and view a fox skull, fur, and tracks. Register online by noon the day before camp.

Prairie Heritage Volunteer Meeting
Thursday, Mar 12, 2020 | 7:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Prairie Heritage Volunteers fill many niches at Homestead Prairie Farm, from carpentry work to costumed interpretation. Receive your monthly update at this meeting. Refreshments provided.

Decatur Audubon Society Meeting
Sunday, Mar 15, 2020 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Explore birds with the Decatur Audubon Society during their regular meetings. Each meeting features a unique bird study and presentation. All are welcome. Free.

Preschool Peepers: St. Patrick’s Day
Sunday, Mar 15, 2020 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Learn about clovers and other green plants re-emerging from their winter sleep. Register online by March 13.

Trip to St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020 | 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

This brand new aquarium, located at the recently revamped St. Louis Union Station, features exhibits on native and exotic wildlife. Learn about fish and river otters in the Mississippi River, then discover a whole world of aquatic wildlife from sharks to jellyfish.

Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2020 | 5:30 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting at Rock Springs Nature Center

Volunteer Event: Conducting Prescribed Fires
Saturday, Mar 21, 2020 | 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

This workshop is for those who want to learn more about prescribed fire or volunteer to conduct prescribed fires with District staff. Please RSVP by March 19.

Dulcimer Club
Saturday, Mar 21, 2020 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Rock Springs Ground Squirrels vs. Belleville Stags
Saturday, Mar 21, 2020 | 1:00 pm

Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge 1221, Swansea, IL
Away game Goodwill Match against the Belleville Stags
Join us for the national pastime: base ball! Cheer for your home team, the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels, in a game of vintage base ball played with authentic 1858 rules.

Rag Doll Workshop
Saturday, Mar 21, 2020 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 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. Register online by March 20.

World Water Day Movie Night
Sunday, Mar 22, 2020 | 4:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Discover the importance of fresh water by watching a critically acclaimed documentary about Earth’s rivers and lakes, as well as the many species that depend upon them. Register online by March 20.

Boom & Bang Mini Camp
Tuesday, Mar 24, 2020 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Children ages 1-5 will explore the wind, rain, and thunder of spring storms with hands on activities and outdoor adventures. Register online by noon the day before camp.

Boom & Bang Mini Camp
Wednesday, Mar 25, 2020 | 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Children ages 1-5 will explore the wind, rain, and thunder of spring storms with hands on activities and outdoor adventures. Register online by noon the day before camp.

Homeschool Program: Birds of a Feather
Wednesday, Mar 25, 2020 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

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 by March 24.

Hibernators of Macon County
Saturday, Mar 28, 2020 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Local hibernators are beginning to wake and prepare for warmer weather. Learn which animals have been dormant all winter and why they go through this energy-saving process. Register online by March 27.

Decatur’s Five Civil War Generals
Sunday, Mar 29, 2020 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Five Civil War generals called Decatur their home. These men varied widely in age, background, military experience, fame, and their postwar lives but all answered their nation’s call to arms. Explore the public and personal stories of these five remarkable men.

Oglesby Mansion Open House
Sunday, Mar 29, 2020 | 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.

Cross Country Classics
Thursday, Apr 2, 2020 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Enjoy music played by Cross Country Classics. Free.

Dulcimer Club
Saturday, Apr 4, 2020 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Preschool Peepers: Tadpoles
Sunday, Apr 5, 2020 | 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 3.

Offices Closed for Good Friday
Friday, Apr 10, 2020 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Nature Center Open, Offices Closed

Canoe the Sangamon
Saturday, Apr 11, 2020 | 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 is provided. Register online by April 10.

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