Events & Activities
Nature Movie Topic: Alligators
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Matinee – 2-3:00 p.m., evening 6-7:00 p.m.
Location: Barkhausen- ache River Wetlands Center
In the Cache River watershed are remnants of once great acreage of southern swamp, wetland habitat reminiscent of Louisiana’s in many ways. This nature movie will explore the natural history of alligators which are not found in southern Illinois swamp/wetland habitats.
If you have any questions please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
Hummingbirds of the World
Saturday, February 15, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center
Ooooh-and-awe the photos of 77 hummingbird species of the 345 or so known species of the Americas. Two new species have been described in just the last 3 years so more may be coming. John Schwegman will depict the "primitive" Hermit Hummers of the tropics with their dull plumage and unique lek behavior and the more abundant hummers like our ruby throated that are more brilliantly colored and range out of the tropics. Also see photos of the giant hummingbird of the Andes Mountains and the bee hummingbird of Cuba.
If you have any questions please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
Sunday Story Hour: River Otter
Sunday, February 16, 2020, 2:00-3:00PM
Location: Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center
Sunday Story Hour will run on the second to last Sunday of each month. This free program engages families with children ages 3-8, in which a naturalist reads a nature themed storybook to children. Each story will be paired with a game, hands-on activity, or outside nature walk. This month’s program features the fun loving graceful river otter.
Please pre-register with the Cache River Wetlands Center at (618) 657-2064, for an activity to be prepared for each child.
Grantsburg Swamp Ecological Area Cleanup
Saturday, February 22, 12:30pm - 4:00pm
Location: Dixon Springs Agricultural Center
Join us in cleaning up southern Illinois' unique natural areas! Help reduce pollution that harms wildlife and plants and diminishes the natural beauty of our region. Participants will meet at Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, then Carpool to the Grantsburg Swamp site along Flat Woods Road. Trash bags, gloves, and grabbers will be provided. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
Please contact Kevin Rohling to pre-register at 618-695-3383 or krohling@illinois.edu
Calling All Owls
Friday, February 28, 2020, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center
Swoop on in to learn all about the owls of southern Illinois, then head out into the cool dark night to listen for the familiar calls. After the indoor program at 6 pm, natural heritage biologist Mark Guetersloh will lead a guided owl prowl.
If you have any questions please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
Nature Movie Topic: Manatee
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Matinee – 2-3:00 p.m., evening 6-7:00 p.m.
Location: Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center
In the Cache River watershed are remnants of once great acreage of southern swamp, wetland habitat reminiscent of Louisiana’s in many ways. This nature movie will explore the natural history of manatees which are not found in southern Illinois swamp/wetland habitats.
If you have any questions please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
Butterflies and the Plants They Need
Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m.
Location: Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center
Metropolis Garden Club President and Master Naturalist Anne Parmley will show several common southern Illinois butterfly pictures taken by amateur photographer William Parmley. She will also talk about necessary larval food plants as well as preferred nectar plants.
If you have any questions please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
Sunday Story Hour: Frogs and Toads
Sunday, March 22, 2020, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center
Sunday Story Hour will run on the second to last Sunday of each month. This free program engages families with children ages 3-8, in which a naturalist reads a nature themed storybook to children. Each story will be paired with a game, hands-on activity, or outside nature walk. This month’s program features some hoppy anurans, frog/toads.
Please pre-register with the Cache River Wetlands Center at (618) 657-2064, for an activity to be prepared for each child.
Guided Hike at Cedar Bluff
Sunday, April 5, 1-4pm
Location: Ferne Clyffe State Park/Cedar Bluff
Enjoy a spring walk at Cedar Bluff Natural Area, an annex of Ferne Clyffe State Park, utilizing the Cedar Bluff Trail and Borks Fall Trail. Be rewarded with 50-foot bluffs, overhangs, a shelter cave and dramatic views of the early spring landscape. Meet at parking lot for climbers next to Cedar Grove Church, south end of Happy Hollow Road, Johnson County.
For directions or questions, please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
Nature Movie: Flamingo
Thursday, April 9, 2-3pm and 6-7pm
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
You’re unlikely to find these vibrantly-colored wading birds in the Cache but come and learn more about the natural history of a popular wetland inhabitant, flamingos.
If you have any questions please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
Senior Van Tour on Tunnel Hill State Trail
Friday, April 10, various departure times
Location: Tunnel Hill State Trail Parking Lot, Tunnel Hill, IL
Come along on a guided van tour for senior citizens and persons with physical limitations to explore a section of the Tunnel Hill State Trail between Tunnel Hill and New Burnside. Share stories about local history and enjoy the animals and spring wildflowers along the trail.
For departure times and required reservation, please call 618-657-2064.
Sunday Story Hour: Wild Turkey
Sunday, April 19, 2-3pm
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
Please pre-register by calling 618-657-2064, so we can prepare activities for each child.
Shawnee National Forest Turns 80
Saturday, May 16, 10:00 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center
If you have any questions please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
Sunday Story Hour: Wildflowers
Sunday, May 24, 2-3pm
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
Please pre-register by calling 618-657-2064, so we can prepare activities for each child.
New Firefly Species in the Cache
Friday, May 29, 2020, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center
The Cypress firefly (Photuris walldoxeyi), named for Mississippi’s Wall Doxey State Park, was first documented early in 2019 in high quality cypress swamps in Mississippi, Tennessee and Indiana. IDNR natural heritage biologist Christina Feng reports a confirmed sighting of the cypress firefly during a night-time survey at the Heron Pond boardwalk in June. Join Christina Feng as she presents information on natural history of fireflies found in Illinois then will lead an optional night walk to Heron Pond boardwalk in the Little Black Slough/Heron Pond Nature Preserve to hopefully observe the cypress firefly.
If you have any questions please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
Come Fish With Us Clinics
Thursdays, June 4, 11, 18 and 25, 9-11am
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
Youth catch-and-release fishing clinic will cover fishing rules and regulations; how to bait a hook, tie a knot and cast; tactics for catching fish; and how to handle and return fish to the water. Clinics target children ages 16 and younger, but anyone interested in learning basic fishing techniques may attend. Equipment and bait supplied by IDNR. Adults are not required to have a fishing license to assist during this program.
Please pre-register by calling 618-657-2064.
Exploring Cave Creek Glade
Saturday, June 6, 10am-noon
Location: Cache River State Natural Area/Cave Creek Glade
Join botanist Erin Garrett for a hike at Cave Creek Glade, where you’ll learn how to identify blooming plants by their flowers and later season bloomers by their leaves. The trail is short, but very steep, with a spectacular display of purple coneflowers at the top of the glade.
Meet at parking lot opposite glade; for directions, call 618-657-2064.
Introduction to Orienteering
Saturday, June 13, 1-3pm
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
This workshop will introduce children and adults to basic orienteering concepts: how to use a compass, measure distances with paces and traverse an orienteering course. Participants will be provided with the use of a compass and a course map, and will practice new-found skills along a predetermined course.
If you have any questions please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
Sunday Story Hour: Fish
Sunday, June 21, 2-3pm
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
To help ensure activities are prepared for each child, please pre-register by calling 618-657-2064
Come Fish With Us Clinics
Thursdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 9-11am
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
Youth catch-and-release fishing clinic will cover fishing rules and regulations; how to bait a hook, tie a knot and cast; tactics for catching fish; and how to handle and return fish to the water. Clinics target children ages 16 and younger, but anyone interested in learning basic fishing techniques may attend. Equipment and bait supplied by IDNR. Adults are not required to have a fishing license to assist during this program.
Please pre-register by calling 618-657-2064.
Planting for Pollinators
Saturday, July 18, 10am-noon
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
Have you heard the buzz about pollinators? Join botanist Erin Garrett as she discusses common pollinators in southern Illinois and simple changes you can make in your home landscape to help support their populations. Learn how to choose the right native plants for your garden, and which insects rely on which plants.
If you have any questions please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
Sunday Story Hour: White Tail Deer
Sunday, July 19, 2-3pm
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
To help ensure activities are prepared for each child, please pre-register by calling 618-657-2064.
Reptiles in the Neighborhood
Saturday, August 22, 1-4 pm
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center/Heron Pond
Sunday Story Hour: Dragonfly
Sunday, August 23, 2-3pm
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
To help ensure activities are prepared for each child, please pre-register by calling 618-657-2064.
Sunday Story Hour: Butterfly
Sunday, September 20, 2-3pm
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
To help ensure activities are prepared for each child, please pre-register by calling 618-657-2064.
Fall Migration Mini-Sit
Late Sept or early Oct, TBD, 9am-noon
Location: Cache River State Natural Area
The objective of this birdwatching event is to record as many bird species as possible in the Cache over a three-hour period. Teams will sit in an assigned 17-foot diameter circle and record on eBird all species they can identify by sight or sound. Birders at all levels are welcome; no limit on team numbers, and members may work in shifts as long as there is always someone in the circle. If you don’t have a team but want to participate, feel free to drop by the Wetlands Center that day to learn which access points are open for counts. Bring a lawn chair, snacks, binoculars or a scope, and sit back and enjoy the fall migration!
Teams must register in advance to receive their location: please call 618-657-2064
Sunday Story Hour: Snake
Sunday, October 18, 2-3pm
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
To help ensure activities are prepared for each child, please pre-register by calling 618-657-2064.
Guided Hike at Cedar Bluff
Saturday, October 24, noon-3pm
Location: Ferne Clyffe State Park/Cedar Bluff
Enjoy a fall walk at Cedar Bluff Natural Area, an annex of Ferne Clyffe State Park, utilizing the Cedar Bluff Trail and Borks Fall Trail. Be rewarded with 50-foot bluffs, overhangs, a shelter cave and dramatic views of fall color. Meet at parking lot for climbers next to Cedar Grove Church, south end of Happy Hollow Road, Johnson County.
For directions, please call the wetland center at 618-657-2064.
Senior Van Tour on Tunnel Hill State Trail
Thursday, October 29, various departure times
Location: Tunnel Hill State Trail Headquarters, Vienna, IL
Come along on a guided van tour for senior citizens and persons with physical limitations to explore a section of the Tunnel Hill State Trail between Vienna and Tunnel Hill. Share stories about local history and enjoy the plants, animals, hydrology and fall color along this upland section of the trail.
For departure times and required reservation, call 618-657-2064.
Boo at the Slough
Saturday, October 31, 1-3:30pm
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
This program engages elementary to middle school age children on a guided trick-or-treat adventure through the Wetlands Center and along the Egret Slough Trail. The half-mile trail will give families a chance to interact with misunderstood creatures of the swamp and enjoy the magic of Halloween. Children are welcome to wear costumes.
To pre-register, please call the wetland center at 618-657-2064.
Sunday Story Hour: Owl
Sunday, November 22, 2-3pm
Location: Cache River Wetlands Center
To help ensure activities are prepared for each child, please pre-register by calling 618-657-2064.
Christmas Bird Count
Monday, December 14, 6am-5pm
Location: Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Put your citizen science skills to work in service of the longest-running database in all of ornithology. Bird watchers at all levels, including beginners, are welcome to participate in the all-day count will be held on Monday. This early winter bird census is conducted at local sites all over North America, and has provided crucial data for more than a century, helping scientists track and monitor the health of bird populations.
For more information, please call Cypress Creek at 618-634-2231.