Saturday Stroll
2026-07-25 10:00, 2026-08-01 10:00, 2026-08-08 10:00, 2026-08-15 10:00, 2026-08-22 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.

Homestead Prairie Farm Open House
2026-07-25 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-01 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-02 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-08 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-09 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-15 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-16 13:00 - 16:00 and 1 more date | 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

Sunday Storytime
2026-07-26 14:00, 2026-08-02 14:00, 2026-08-09 14:00, 2026-08-16 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.

Summer Concert Series: Back Porch Trio
2026-07-26 19:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Mark your calendars for another season of incredible music in the great outdoors at the Summer Concert Series!
This outdoor concert series is sponsored by Stifel Investment Services is held every other Sunday in the summer. A variety of bands and performers play Americana, bluegrass, folk, old-time, and more. Grab your lawn chairs, pack a picnic blanket, and join us every other Sunday for a relaxed evening of live entertainment.
Acoustic, easy listening Back Porch Trio performs lots of favorites spanning several genres, including folk, rock, and country on July 26.
The performance begins at 7pm and will be held near the pavilions at Rock Springs Conservation Area. Snacks will be available for purchase. All concerts are free, and in the event of rain, we will move indoors.

Dulcimer Club
2026-08-01 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-15 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.

Bethel School Open House
2026-08-01 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

End of Summer Bash
2026-08-02 13:00 - 15:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
End of Summer Bash: Event details
Help us say farewell to summer and hello to the new school year with an End of Summer Bash at Rock Springs Conservation Area! We will have lawn games, hot dogs over the fire, crafts, and some of our educational animals ready to greet you.
Event requirements
$5/person. Register online by August 7.
Register Online for End of Summer Bash

Audubon Intern Presentation
2026-08-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Event details
The Macon County Conservation District partners with the Decatur Area Audubon Society to support a seasonal intern that assists both organizations. This year’s intern will present a program on a topic of their choosing. Come prepared to learn and encourage!
Event requirements
Free. No registration required.

Astronomy Jamboree
2026-08-08 20:00 - 23:00 | Friends Creek Conservation Area, 13734 Friends Creek Park Road, Argenta, IL, 62501, United States
At the annual Astronomy Jamboree, enjoy live music, children’s crafts, and hot dogs over the fire, then view the stars, visible planets, and possibly even a shooting star or two. Bring a lawn chair to sit and stay a while.
Free. Register online by August 7.
Register Online for Astronomy Jamboree
Calling amateur astronomers! We are looking for folks to bring and set up their telescopes and share knowledge during this “star party” at Friends Creek Conservation Area. Call Alysia at 217-423-7708 if you’re interested in bringing your scope.
This is an inclusive program, welcoming individuals of all abilities. Friends Creek Conservation Area’s campground is outdoors. There are paved sidewalks to the pavilion. Yard is grass and the terrain may be uneven in places.

Acoustic Music Jam
2026-08-09 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.

Summer Concert Series: Harlem Hayfield
2026-08-09 19:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Mark your calendars for another season of incredible music in the great outdoors!
This outdoor concert series sponsored by Stifel Investment Services is held every other Sunday in the summer, and features a variety of bands and performers that play Americana, bluegrass, folk, old-time, and more. Grab your lawn chairs, pack a picnic blanket, and join us every other Sunday for a relaxed evening of live entertainment.
Harlem Hayfield pulls inspiration from different genres and each other, resulting in a groove-centric genre they describe as “rustbelt soul.”
The performance begins at 7pm and will be held near the pavilions at Rock Springs Conservation Area. Snacks will be available for purchase. All concerts are free, and in the event of rain, we will move indoors.

Van Trip to Wheels O’ Time Museum
2026-08-12 10:00 - 18:00 | Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Van Trip to Wheels O’ Time: Event Details
Discover antique locomotives and vintage cars at the Wheels O’ Time Museum in Dunlap, IL.
Event Registration
$45/person. Admission and lunch are on your own. Register online by noon August 10. Meet at the Rock Springs Nature Center.
Register Online for this Event

Forgotten Agriculture: Growing Hemp in Early Illinois
2026-08-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Rock Springs Conservation Area, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL, 62521, United States
Forgotten Agriculture: Growing Hemp in Early Illinois: Event details
Before the Civil War, hemp briefly took root on Illinois farms. Local historian Curtis Mann will share the attempts to grow it here. Discover a little-known episode of our state’s history and the unexpected ways it shaped our cultural landscape. The program is co-sponsored by the Friends of Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and the Macon County Conservation District.
Event requirements
Free. No registration required.
This is an inclusive program, welcoming individuals of all abilities. Rock Springs Nature Center is an accessible facility.

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
