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.

January

Decatur Camera Club Exhibit
Saturday, Jan 1, 2022 - Monday, Feb 28, 2022 | 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, Jan 1, 2022 - Monday, Feb 28, 2022 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

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

Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2022 | 5:30 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting at Rock Springs Nature Center

Dulcimer Club
Saturday, Jan 22, 2022 | 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.

World’s Craziest Creatures
Sunday, Jan 23, 2022 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Step into a world of unusual adaptations! Some animals from all over the planet have extraordinary defense mechanisms like secreting poison, generating electric shocks of up to 800 volts, or throwing a punch at 50 miles per hour. Learn about some of these fascinating creatures. Register online by January 21.

Homeschool Program: Animals in Winter
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2022 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Homeschoolers are invited to join a naturalist as we figure out, where all the animals go in winter? Register online by January 25.

Winter Bird Hike
Saturday, Jan 29, 2022 | 10:00 am
Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Decatur, IL

Bundle up and head outside on a hike to look for overwintering birds. We will look for migrants such as red-breasted nuthatches, white-throated sparrows, and more. Register online by January 28.

Ice Age Mammals of the Midwest
Sunday, Jan 30, 2022 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

During the Ice Age, giant mammals dominated the Midwestern landscape. Discover what they were, when they went, and what the mammals of today have in common with them. Register online by January 28.

Dulcimer Club
Saturday, Feb 5, 2022 | 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.

Owl Prowls
Saturday, Feb 5, 2022 | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Sand Creek Conservation Area, Decatur, 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 by February 4.

International Darwin Day
Saturday, Feb 12, 2022 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

To celebrate Charles Darwin’s birthday, we’ll take a deep-dive into some of the ideas presented in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species. Register online by February 11.

Immigrants in Early Decatur
Sunday, Feb 13, 2022 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Learn about the first immigrants to make Decatur their home in the days before the Civil War. Register online by February 11.

Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting
Wednesday, Feb 16, 2022 | 5:30 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting at Rock Springs Nature Center

Immigrants in Early Decatur
Thursday, Feb 17, 2022 | 7:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Learn about the first immigrants to make Decatur their home in the days before the Civil War. Register online by February 11.

Dulcimer Club
Saturday, Feb 19, 2022 | 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.

Maple Syrup Programs
Saturday, Feb 19, 2022 | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Learn how sap becomes syrup, why spring is the best time of year to harvest sap, and how people used sap throughout history. Held hourly at 11am, 12pm, and 1pm. Register online.

Preschool Peepers: Furry Mammals
Sunday, Feb 20, 2022 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

What is a mammal and what kinds of mammals do we have in Macon County? Learn all about them, then make a fuzzy craft and go outside to look for some. Register online by February 18.

Offices Closed for Presidents' Day
Monday, Feb 21, 2022 | All Day
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

The business offices will be closed Monday, February 21st for Presidents’ Day. Trails at all five conservation areas and Rock Springs Nature Center will be open.

Owl Prowls
Saturday, Feb 26, 2022 | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Sand Creek Conservation Area, Decatur, 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 by February 25.

Pokémon in Real Life
Sunday, Feb 27, 2022 | 2:00 pm
Rock Springs Nature Center, Decatur, IL

Investigate the similarities between fictional Pokémon and their real-world counterparts. We will then take a short walk to see if we can find any creatures, real or otherwise. Who knows, maybe we’ll find a PokéStop along the way! Register online by February 25.