Beginners Foraging Workshop: Medicinal Plants
2026-09-06 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
Many native plants have medicinal properties, from echinacea to prickly pear. We will start indoors with a short presentation, go on a hike to look for wild medicinal plants, and finish in the kitchen to sample a tea made from native plants.
Registrants will receive three recipe cards to take home.
This program is part two of a three-part series.
$10/person. Register online by September 4.
Register Online for Foraging Workshops

Nature Center Open, Offices Closed for Labor Day
2026-09-07 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Rock Springs Nature Center will be open Monday, September 7. Conservation District business offices will be closed for Labor Day.

Homeschool Program: Canoeing
2026-09-09 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.
Learn the parts of a canoe and how to paddle safely, then spend the rest of the time on the water! Parents may stay and paddle with their child, or adult volunteers will be on hand so at least one adult is in every canoe.
Event requirements
Register online by September 8.
$15/child.

Register Online for this Event

Saturday Stroll
2026-09-12 10:00, 2026-09-19 10:00, 2026-09-26 10:00 | 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.

Dulcimer Club
2026-09-12 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-09-26 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.

Fall Harvest Festival
2026-09-12 13:00 - 16:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Celebrate fall at Rock Springs Nature Center with fall-themed activities including archery, canoeing, pumpkin painting, wagon rides, tours at Homestead Prairie Farm, and more.
Schedule and More Info >

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
2026-09-12 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-13 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-19 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-20 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-27 13:00 - 16:00 | Homestead Prairie Farm, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Discover this 1860s farmhouse and the lives of the people who lived there, located at Rock Springs Conservation Area.
>> Read more about Homestead Prairie Farm

Taste of History
2026-09-12 17:00 - 20:00 | IL
The Staley Museum, Culver House, Millikin Homestead, and Oglesby Mansion will again host their fall Taste of History event. Tour these historic sites and enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres along the way (limit 1 alcoholic beverage per person at each location). Check the participating museums’ websites and Facebook pages for ticket sales and more information.

Sunday Storytime
2026-09-13 14:00, 2026-09-20 14:00, 2026-09-27 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.

Acoustic Music Jam
2026-09-13 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.

Frolicking Foxes Mini Camp
2026-09-15 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-09-17 09:30 - 10:30 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Children ages 1 through 5 will explore nature with an adult companion through crafts, activities, songs, and stories.
In this hour long camp, children will learn to analyze their surroundings and begin their love of exploration of the outside world through crafts, activities, songs, stories and hikes. These camps are a great stepping stone for little ones to spend time with other children and have the comfort of a loved one nearby.
In Frolicking Foxes, children will explore the fabulous lives of foxes, including their behaviors, where they live, and what they eat.
$12/child. Online registration required.
Dress for short outdoor excursions. A snack and bottle of water will be available for each child. Register online by noon the day before camp. Location for these programs will be downstairs in the Monarch Classroom in the new area in the lower level.
Register Online for Frolicking Foxes

Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting
2026-09-16 17:30 - 18:30 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
All meetings will be held the third Wednesday of the month at the Rock Springs Nature Center at 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise specified or notified.

Phase 1 Grand Opening of Woodbine Farm
2026-09-18 17:30 - 19:00 | Woodbine Farm, 7206 Sefton Road, Dalton City, IL, 61925, United States
Join us for the first phase grand opening of Woodbine Farm. See plan boards for the future of the site and chat with staff about the ongoing projects.
Free. No registration required.

Monarch Madness
2026-09-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Learn about the life cycle and importance of monarch butterflies, then help capture and tag live butterflies. Enjoy face painting, butterfly yoga, games, an obstacle course, and more. Co-sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension Office. Free. No registration required.

Beginners Foraging Workshop: Fruits and Seeds
2026-09-20 14:00 - 16:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Illinois is home to several plants that produce edible seeds and fruits, including persimmons, pawpaws, and walnuts. We will learn about some of these tasty treats, go outside to see what we can find, and finish in the kitchen to sample something made with native fruit pulp. Registrants will receive three recipe cards to take home.
This program is part three of a three-part series.
$10/person. Register online by September 18.
Register Online for Foraging Workshops

Van Trip to Giant City State Park
2026-09-22 07:00 - 19:00 | IL
Head south to Giant City State Park to discover a totally different landscape than what we’re used to in Central Illinois! Stop by the visitor center, grab lunch at the lodge, and spend some time exploring the trails in this beautiful park. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes, and plan for a walk on an uneven trail with inclines and declines.
$45/person covers transportation; lunch is not included.
Register online by September 18.
Register Online for this Van Trip

Douglas Cup Tournament
2026-09-26 10:00 | BeautifulTrobaughField, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Join us for the national pastime: base ball! Cheer for your home team, the Rock Springs Ground Squirrels, at the Annual Douglas Cup Vintage Base Ball Tournament, played with authentic 1858 rules. Games will be held at BeautifulTrobaughField at Rock Springs Conservation Area.
Douglas Cup Tournament
Follow the team on Facebook for additional games and more information.

Canoe Big Creek
2026-09-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Cannon Park, 3125 S. Baltimore Ave., Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
All equipment is provided for this leisurely exploration of a local waterway. At least one adult required per canoe. Wear shoes and clothes that can get wet!
Meet at Cannon Park on S. Baltimore Ave.
$25 per canoe. Register online by September 25.
Register Online for this Event

Prairie Pedal
2026-09-27 06:30 - 14:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Support local wildlife and natural areas by riding your bicycle in this fundraiser event for the Macon County Conservation Foundation. Choose from a 20, 40, or 62-mile route along quiet country roads. Your registration includes a giveaway item, well stocked rest stops along the routes, and food at the finish line.
Registration is $40/rider.
Learn more and choose how you want to register at the Macon County Conservation Foundation website.
