Festival of Spring 2022 Rock Springs Conservation Area
Saturday, Apr 23, 2022 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Celebrate Earth Day and welcome spring with an afternoon of outdoor family activities. Enjoy wagon rides, canoeing, a scavenger hunt, a live bird show from the Illinois Raptor Center, take home an activity kit, and learn what other organizations are doing in our community to protect water and wildlife. Festival of Spring is an annual event at Rock Springs Conservation Area. It takes place every April, rain or shine! Co-sponsored by Decatur Audubon Society and Macon County Conservation District.
Full List of Activities
Bird Banding, 8-10am – Join Dr. Travis Wilcoxen of Millikin University as he catches and bands wild songbirds. Stop by the Information Pavilion at Rock Springs Conservation Area any time between 8 and 10am.
Hikes – Meet at Rock Springs Conservation Area for one or more guided hikes. Wear sturdy shoes.
· Bird Hike at 9am
· Wildflower Hike at 1pm
· Earth Day Celebration Hike at 2:30pm
Sangamon River Cleanup at Rock Springs’ Wyckles Road Canoe Launch, 10am-12pm – Help clear trash from the banks of the Sangamon River to make it a safer and more beautiful place for wildlife and people. Dress to get dirty and bring your own gloves. Bags will be provided. Note: This year, participants should park and meet at the Wyckles Road Canoe Launch, located on the western edge of Rock Springs Conservation Area. Staff will NOT be transporting people to and from the main Rock Springs parking lot. Organized groups or clubs should call in advance, so we can accommodate the size of your group: 217-423-7708.
Birds of Prey Show, 1:30pm – See and learn about birds of prey with the Illinois Raptor Center. You can watch LIVE on the Conservation District’s Facebook page at 1:30pm or attend a session in person inside Rock Springs Nature Center.
· Choose from one of three program times: 12pm, 1:30pm, or 3pm
Canoeing, 12-4pm – Spend some time on the water in one of our canoes. A naturalist will go over the basics and answer your questions before you launch your canoe. Meet at the pond by the pavilions. All equipment is provided. $3 per person; at least one adult must be in each canoe.
Wagon Rides, 12pm-3:30pm – Tour some of the highlights of Rock Springs Conservation Area on a tractor-pulled wagon ride. Wagon departs near the flag poles outside of Rock Springs Nature Center every 15-20 minutes, and rides are first-come, first-served.
Tour the Trobaugh-Good House, 12-4pm – Tour an 1860s farm house at Homestead Prairie Farm and learn what life was like over 160 years ago. Interpreters in period clothing will be on site to answer your questions. Due to the small size of the interior rooms, roughly 6 people will be allowed inside at a time.
Heirloom Garden Tours, 12pm-4pm – Tour the heirloom vegetable and herb gardens at Homestead Prairie Farm. Learn how plants were historically grown and used, and perhaps get inspiration for your own garden at home. You’ll also have an opportunity to meet and ask questions of expert Master Gardeners from the University of Illinois Extension.
Tickets to Treasures – Children can collect a stamp from 6 separate booths throughout the Festival and turn those stamps in for a prize at the Tickets to Treasures table.
Children’s Activity Packets & Local Organizations, 12pm-4pm – Browse information about local organizations that work to benefit water and wildlife. Many organizations will have take-home activity packets for children. Available first-come, first-served. Organizations participating include: · Decatur Audubon Society · Glacier’s Edge Master Naturalists · Macon County Master Gardeners · Macon County Soil and Water Conservation District · Community Environmental Council · Friends of Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park & Memorial · Mercy Gardens · Bright Start · Children’s Museum of Illinois · Boy Scouts of America · Girl Scouts of Central Illinois · Garden Club of Decatur
Additional Activities – Other activities include ice cream from Mister Softee, a scavenger hunt, Restoration Station, tours of the Native Plant Garden, a book exchange, and more.
If you have any questions, call us at 217-423-7708.
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