Events & Activities
Sunday Story Hour: Eagles
Sunday, January 19, 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 national symbol of the Unites States the bald eagle.
Please pre-register with the Cache River Wetlands Center at (618) 657-2064, for an activity to be prepared for each child.
Rare and Little-Known Plants of Illinois
Saturday, January 25, 2020, 10:00- 11:00 a.m.
Location: Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center
Explore Illinois flora and how unique some plants are that were photographed by John Schwegman from throughout Illinois during his career in plant conservation. He will expound on habitat, range, and just how rare it is. Some were discovered in Illinois for the first time, and two are species new to science from southern Illinois. Enjoy the stories of discovery along with his pictures.
If you have any questions please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
Frog and Toad Survey Volunteer Orientation
Saturday, February 1, 2020, 1 – 3 p.m.
Location: Barkhausen- ache River Wetlands Center
Try a new venture by assisting in listening surveys of the frogs and toads of the Cache River watershed for the Illinois Natural History Survey! Volunteers are needed for the citizen science project. Materials will be provided for the surveys conducted four times between February and June.
If you have any questions please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
Native Plants for Pollinators
Saturday, February 8, 1 p.m.
Location: Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center
Now is the time to plant your pollinator field or garden! Join Metropolis Garden Club President and Master Naturalist Anne Parmley and her husband William to learn how they planted 15 acres for pollinators. Included are close-up pictures of the plants that have bloomed so far and descriptions of how each plant benefits wildlife.
If you have any questions please call the wetlands center at 618-657-2064.
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.
Shawnee National Forest Turns 80
Saturday, May 16, 10:00 a.m.
Location: Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center
The Shawnee National Forest is commemorating the 80th anniversary of being proclaimed a national forest. Help celebrate by attending a presentation by Mary McCorvie, heritage program manager about the early history of the Forest, as well as a showing of a 1957 film, The Land Changes, featuring the Shawnee National Forest.
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.
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.