Macon County Conservation District

Saturday Stroll
2026-04-18 10:00, 2026-04-25 10:00, 2026-05-02 10:00, 2026-05-09 10:00, 2026-05-16 10:00 (America/Chicago) | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Visit Rock Springs Nature Center to join a naturalist on a stroll along a trail. Come once or come every Saturday – nature is sure to show us something new each week!
Event requirements
Dress for the weather. Free. No registration required.

Gallery of Hope Open House
2026-04-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Visit Rock Springs Nature Center to view artwork created by local children and thoughtfully presented by Heritage Behavioral Health Center. The pieces of art support conversations around mental health. While there, decorate a cupcake, create your own artwork, and engage in other family-friendly activities.
Free. No registration required.

New Moon Night Hike
2026-04-18 21:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Put your night vision to the test on a guided walk down the Rock Springs-Fairview Bike Trail. With no lights or moonlight to guide us, how will our senses adapt? Register to find out!
$5/person. Register online by April 17.
Register Online for this Event

Sunday Storytime
2026-04-19 14:00, 2026-04-26 14:00, 2026-05-03 14:00, 2026-05-10 14:00, 2026-05-17 14:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Stop by the Children’s Room at Rock Springs Nature Center for stories, songs, and fun! We will read some nature stories, move our bodies, and spark some curiosity about the world around us.
Event requirements
Free. No registration required.

Wildflower Hike
2026-04-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Decatur, IL, United States
Event details
Spring is the best time of year to spot early woodland flowers, and Fort Daniel Conservation Area is full of them! Meet at the Fort Daniel pavilion. If the bluebells are blooming, we’ll be in for a real treat.
Event requirements
Register online by April 17.
Free.
Register Online for this Event

Wilderness Walk
2026-04-23 16:00 - 17:00 | Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Decatur, IL, United States
Event details
Join a naturalist on a leisurely walk along a District trail to explore and learn a little something along the way. Dress for the weather. Hike will take place at Fort Daniel Conservation Area.
Event requirements
Free. Register online by noon the day prior.
Register Online for this Event

Sangamon River Cleanup
2026-04-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Help clear trash from the banks of the Sangamon River to make it a safer and more beautiful place for wildlife and people. Dress to get dirty and bring your own gloves. Bags will be provided. Come by yourself or bring the whole family.
Organized groups should call 217-423-7708 in advance.
Register and meet at the Rock Springs Information Shelter.

Dulcimer Club
2026-04-25 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
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.
Event requirements
None
Free
This is an inclusive program, welcoming individuals of all abilities. Rock Springs Nature Center is an accessible facility.

Festival of Spring
2026-04-25 12:00 - 16:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Celebrate Earth Day and welcome spring with a day of outdoor family activities.
In the morning, observe bird banding, go on a naturalist-led hike, or pitch in at the Sangamon River Cleanup. Then, in the afternoon enjoy wagon rides, canoeing, a live bird show from the Illinois Raptor Center, tours of Homestead Prairie Farm, and much more. Visit tables staffed by local community organizations to learn what they are doing to protect water and wildlife.
Co-sponsored by the Decatur Area Audubon Society.
Canoeing $3/person.
All other activities are free. No registration required.
More Information >

Oglesby Mansion Open House
2026-04-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Oglesby Mansion, 421 W. William St., Decatur, IL, 62522, United States
Tour the restored home of Illinois Governor Richard J. Oglesby. Encounter the lives of its family members and explore their late 1800s lifestyle.
$5/adult and $2/child
The Oglesby Mansion is located at 421 W. William St. in Decatur, IL.
>> Learn more about the Oglesby Mansion

Danny Pratt Photography Exhibit
2026-05-01 - 2026-06-30 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
North Gallery
Enjoy photography of wildlife and landscapes from local photographer Danny Pratt.

Melody Arnold Photography Exhibit
2026-05-01 - 2026-06-30 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
South Gallery
Experience the beauty of nature with local photographer and outdoor education specialist Melody Arnold.

Canoe Rodeo
2026-05-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Hop in a canoe and try your luck on a mini obstacle course in the Bike Trail Pond! All equipment provided. A naturalist will be on-hand to give a paddling lesson and provide instructions. May the best boat win!
Event requirements
$15/boat. Register online by May 1.
Register Online for this Event

Bethel School Open House
2026-05-02 13:00 - 16:00 | Friends Creek Conservation Area, 13734 Friends Creek Park Road, Argenta, IL, 62501, United States
See what going to school was like in the early 20th century at this historic one-room schoolhouse located at Friends Creek Conservation Area.
Bethel School is one of the best treasures in Macon County. Come and tour this one-room schoolhouse that served Macon County for over 50 years.
Step back in history and tour Bethel School at Friends Creek Conservation Area. Admission is free and all ages are invited to attend.
>> Read more about the Bethel School House

Nature Picture Frames
2026-05-03 14:00 - 15:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Make your own nature picture frame to give to someone special or keep for yourself. We will first go outside to collect natural materials to decorate our frame, then go inside to construct it.
Event requirements
$5/person. Register online by May 1.
Register Online for this Event

60th Anniversary Conservation Area Walk
2026-05-09 12:00 - 16:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Take a self-guided tour of our five Conservation Areas! At each site, a staff member will be available with information about the site and an activity. Learn what makes Macon County’s greenspaces special and see what 60 years of conservation has done – right in our own backyards.
Event requirements
$5/person. Register online by May 8.
Register Online for this Event

Acoustic Music Jam
2026-05-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Enjoy live bluegrass tunes at the monthly Acoustic Music Jam. Bring your instrument, learn a new tune, or simply enjoy the talents of these volunteer musicians.
Event requirements
None
Free
This is an inclusive program, welcoming individuals of all abilities. Rock Springs Nature Center is an accessible facility.

Van Trip to the Morton Arboretum
2026-05-12 09:00 - 19:00 | IL
Journey to Lisle, IL to visit the Morton Arboretum, which features a variety of different gardens, exhibits, a visitor’s center, a gift shop, and the Schulenberg Prairie – one of the largest restored tallgrass prairies in the Chicagoland area. Pack a lunch or grab one at the restaurant on site.
$45/person. Admission and lunch are on your own. Register online by May 11.
Register Online for this Event

Homeschool Program: Scattered Seeds
2026-05-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Homeschool children ages 5-15 can join a naturalist and explore nature and history topics through discussion, hands-on activities, crafts, and games. Homeschool students will spend time indoors and outdoors, investigating concepts and engaging with nature.
In Scattered Seeds, learn why plants create seeds, what’s inside of them, and where to find them.
Event requirements
Register online by May 11.
$15/child.
Register Online for Scattered Seeds

Wilderness Walk
2026-05-14 16:00 - 17:00 | Griswold Conservation Area, 2435 County Road 2100 E, Blue Mound, IL, 62513, United States
Event details
Join a naturalist on a leisurely walk along a District trail to explore and learn a little something along the way. Dress for the weather. Hike will take place at Griswold Conservation Area.
Event requirements
Free. Register online by noon the day prior.
Register Online for this Event

A History of Bicycling in Illinois
2026-05-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
From fun to fitness and even women’s rights, bicycles had a big impact on daily life in Illinois. Author and guest speaker Christopher Sweet’s new book rediscovers the people, companies, and events that made our state synonymous with the bicycle. Professor Sweet is a librarian at Illinois Wesleyan University.
Event requirements
Free. No registration required.
