Wilderness Walk
2026-03-12 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Friends Creek Conservation Area, 13734 Friends Creek Park Road, Argenta, IL, 62501, 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. Hike will take place at Friends Creek Conservation Area.
Event requirements
Free. Register online by noon the day prior.
Register Online for this Event

Saturday Stroll
2026-03-14 10:00, 2026-03-21 10:00, 2026-03-28 10:00, 2026-04-04 10:00, 2026-04-11 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
2026-03-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-28 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-11 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.

Mr. Shoaff: Lincoln’s Relative and Decatur’s Most Colorful Newspaper Man
2026-03-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
One of the best-known newspaper editors in Civil War era Illinois spent most of his career in Decatur, but today is largely unknown. Related by marriage to Abraham Lincoln, this colorful and controversial character both made the news and reported on it. Historian and author Dr. Robert Sampson explores how and why James Shoaff and his newspapers always brought readers back for more. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park.
Free. No registration required.

Sunday Storytime
2026-03-15 14:00, 2026-03-22 14:00, 2026-03-29 14:00, 2026-04-05 14:00, 2026-04-12 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.

Magical Seeds Mini Camp
2026-03-17 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-03-19 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 Magical Seeds, children will discover what kind of magic a seed holds, then get their hands dirty and plant one themselves.
$8/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 Magical Seeds

60th Anniversary Trivia Night
2026-03-21 18:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
Gather your friends and join Nature Center staff for a fun night of trivia! There will be six rounds of 10 questions, in categories including local flora and fauna, local history, and more. The winning team will get a trophy and a prize! Tables of 8 are available for $80 each. Light snacks will be available, and you are welcome to bring your own food. All proceeds support educational programming at the Macon County Conservation District.
Event requirements
Register online by March 18.
Register Online for this Event

Macon County Conservation District Board Meeting
2026-03-25 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.

Van Trip to Alton, IL
2026-03-26 08:00 - 18:00 | IL
Hop in our van and head south to visit two unique spots in the Alton area. First, we will visit the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site to learn about the expedition’s time spent at Camp River Dubois. Then, we will venture to the National Great Rivers Museum to explore the impact the Mississippi River has had on our history and tour the lock and dam. We will stop for lunch along the way (lunch is not included).
$45/person. Register online by March 24.
Register Online for this Event

Oglesby Mansion Open House
2026-03-29 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

Beautiful Bluebirds Mini Camp
2026-03-31 09:30 - 10:30, 2026-04-02 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 Beautiful Bluebirds, children will find out why the pretty Eastern bluebird is a sign of spring and see what they’re up to in the spring and summer.
$8/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 Beautiful Bluebirds

Wilderness Walk
2026-04-02 16:00 - 17:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, 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. Hike will take place at Rock Springs Conservation Area.
Event requirements
Free. Register online by noon the day prior.
Register Online for this Event

Nature Center Open, Offices Closed for Good Friday
2026-04-03 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Rock Springs Nature Center will be open Friday, April 3. Conservation District business offices will be closed for Good Friday.

Egg Hunt
2026-04-04 10:00 - 11:30 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
From tiny, bright blue eggs to expertly camouflaged speckled eggs, birds lay a variety of different types of eggs. Learn about some of our local birds and the eggs they lay, then go on a walk to hunt for hidden eggs! There will be a special prize for the person who finds the Golden Egg. Don’t forget to bring your basket!
Event requirements
Register online by April 2.
Free
Register Online for this Event

Offices & Nature Center Closed for Easter
2026-04-06 | IL
The Rock Springs Nature Center and business offices are closed for Easter. However the trails at all five conservation areas remain open for you to enjoy.

Homeschool Program: Microscopic Life
2026-04-08 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 Microscopic Life, get out your magnifying glasses and get ready to inspect some tiny critters! We’ll take a look at a variety of things through our microscope and go outside to see what we can find.
Event requirements
Register online by April 6.
$15/child.
Register Online for Microscopic Life

Acoustic Music Jam
2026-04-12 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 Havana, IL
2026-04-14 09:00 - 18:00 | IL
Join us on a trip to the Havana area to visit two interesting sites! First, we will stop at the Jake Wolf Memorial Fish Hatchery to tour this hatchery operated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Then, we will visit Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge to explore and do some bird watching. Be prepared to walk and spend time outdoors. We will stop for lunch along the way (lunch is not included).
$45/person. Register online by April 10.
Register Online for this Event
