Macon County Conservation District

Sunday Storytime
2026-08-16 14:00, 2026-08-23 14:00, 2026-08-30 14:00, 2026-09-06 14:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Creek Walk
2026-08-22 10:00 | Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Decatur, IL, United States
Creek Walk: Event details
Slip on your water shoes and dress to get dirty as we explore the creek at Fort Daniel! Whether the water is low or high, there’s always something new to discover.
Event requirements
$5/person. Close-toed shoes are required. Register online by August 21.
Register Online for Creek Walk

Saturday Stroll
2026-08-22 10:00, 2026-08-29 10:00, 2026-09-05 10:00, 2026-09-12 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.

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
2026-08-22 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-23 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-29 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-30 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-05 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-06 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-12 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

Beginner’s Foraging Workshop: Wildflowers
2026-08-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Fort Daniel Conservation Area, Decatur, IL, United States
Beginner’s Foraging Workshop: Event details
From dandelions to wood sorrel, Macon County abounds with edible wildflowers. Join a naturalist on a guided walk through the woods to search for and learn how to identify edible wildflowers, then stop by our kitchen to sample some fresh wildflower syrup. Registrants will receive three recipe cards to take home. This program is part one of a three-part series; watch for parts two and three in September!
Event requirements
$10/person. Register online by August 21.
Register Online for Beginner’s Foraging Workshop: Wildflowers
Program will begin inside the Rock Springs Nature Center with discussion and activities, and end with an outdoor portion for a hike. Nature center has wheelchair accessible ramps and restrooms, and water fountains. Please dress for the weather. Outdoor portion will include a hike over both paved surfaces on the sidewalk and bike trail, and uneven, natural terrain on the trails.

Partial Lunar Eclipse Viewing
2026-08-27 22:00 - 2026-08-28 00:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Partial Lunar Eclipse: Event details
Night owls are invited to join us at Rock Springs Nature Center to view the partial lunar eclipse. We’ll begin with a presentation on eclipses: what are they and what terminology is used? Then, we will head outside to view the eclipse. If the weather allows, we should see roughly 94% of the moon obscured.
Event requirements
FREE. Register online by August 26.
Register Online for Beginner’s Foraging Workshop: Wildflowers
Program will begin inside the Rock Springs Nature Center with discussion and activities, and end outdoors. Nature center has wheelchair accessible ramps and restrooms, and water fountains. Please dress for the weather. .

Dulcimer Club
2026-08-29 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-09-12 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.

Oglesby Mansion Open House
2026-08-30 14:00 - 2026-11-30 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

Curt Knapp Photography Exhibit
2026-09-01 - 2026-10-31 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
North & South Galleries
Photographer Curt Knapp captures the essence of nature with portraits and landscapes featuring majestic eagles, stealthy mountain lions, and noble wolves, among other captivating subjects.

Curious Caterpillars Mini Camp
2026-09-01 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-09-03 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 Curious Caterpillars, children will learn about caterpillars and their amazing transformation into moths and butterflies..
$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 Curious Caterpillars

Bethel School Open House
2026-09-05 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

Beginners Foraging Workshop: Medicinal Plants
2026-09-06 14:00 - 16:00 | 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

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 >

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.
