Count(y)ing Events #25-27: McLean

Count(y)ing Events #25-27: McLean County!
There will be three events hosted in McLean County for the Central Illinois City Nature Challenge! These will be hikes coordinated and led by Master Naturalist Janet Schroeder!

Meet us:
Saturday, April 25 at 2PM, at Moraine View State Park (27374 E 900 North Rd, Le Roy, IL)

Sunday, April 26 at 7AM, at Howard Virgin Timber Park (O J Lere Drive, Le Roy, IL)

Monday, April 27 at 10:30AM, at Funks Grove Chapel in the Trees (E 535 North Rd, Funks Grove, IL)



Hope to see you there and keep an eye on this page as we post about our progress!

Count(y)ing Events #12-24: Champaign

Count(y)ing Events #12-24: Champaign County!
There will be thirteen events hosted in Champaign County for the Central Illinois City Nature Challenge! Urbana Park District and their partners, Champaign County Forest Preserve District, Illinois Natural History Survey, and UIUC are all getting involved!

Meet us:
Friday, April 24 at 7-8AM, at Weaver Park (2002 E Washington St, Urbana, IL). This event may be cancelled due to weather.
Friday, April 24 at 7-10PM, at Anita Purves Nature Center (1505 N Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL).

Saturday, April 25 at 7:30-9:30AM, at Perkins Road Prairie (1501 E Perkins Rd, Urbana, IL)
Saturday, April 25 at 10-11:30AM, at Busey Woods (1505 N Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL). This will be a Spring Wetland Ecology class taught by INHS Research Scientist Julie Nieset!
Saturday, April 25 at 10AM-12PM, at Sangamon River Forest Preserve (2797 County Rd 600 E, Fisher, IL)
Saturday, April 25 at 11:30AM-1PM, at Crystal Lake Park (1505 N Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL)
Saturday, April 25 at 2-4PM, at Meadowbrook Park (2808 S Race St, Urbana, IL). This will be a History Walk hosted by Roger Digges!
Saturday, April 25 at 6-8PM, at Weaver Park (2002 E Washington St, Urbana, IL)

Sunday, April 26 at 7:30-9AM, at Busey Woods/Crystal Lake Park (1505 N Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL). This will be a birding walk hosted by Champaign County Audubon Society!
Sunday, April 26 at 9-10AM, at Busey Woods (1505 N Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL). This will be a walk hosted by CU Girls Who Walk in conjunction with UPD Coordinator Connor Ross!
Sunday, April 26 at 3-4PM, at Carle Park (400 W Indiana Ave, Urbana, IL)
Sunday, April 26 at 6-8PM, at Meadowbrook Park (2808 S Race St, Urbana, IL)

Monday, April 27 at 7:30-10PM, at Busey Woods (1505 N Broadway Ave, Urbana, IL) More information can be found at these links:
https://www.urbanaparks.org/citynaturechallenge https://www.champaignforests.org/events/details/city-nature-challenge-guided-hike

Hope to see you there and keep an eye on this page as we continue to post events by county!

Count(y)ing Events #11: Peoria

Count(y)ing Events #11: Peoria County!
There will be one event hosted in Peoria County coinciding with the Central Illinois City Nature Challenge. Wildlife Prairie Park is hosting a BioBlitz across the entirety of their 1,800 acres!

Meet them:
Sunday, April 26 at 10AM, at Wildlife Prairie Park (3826 N Taylor Rd, Hanna City, IL) for a BioBlitz! There will be a demonstration of iNaturalist at 10AM, then participants will be free to explore at their leisure at 10:20AM.

More information can be found at this link:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1H87AbNDhj/

Hope to see you there and keep an eye on this page as we continue to post events by county!

Count(y)ing Events #10: Putnam

Count(y)ing Events #10: Putnam County!
There will be one event hosted in Putnam County for the Central Illinois City Nature Challenge. The Wetlands Initiative has graciously agreed to host a miniature BioBlitz for the CICNC!

Meet us:
Sunday, April 26 at 9AM-12PM, at Sue and Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge (9231 State Rt. 26, Hennepin IL) for a miniature BioBlitz!

Registration is requested. More information can be found at this link:
https://www.wetlands-initiative.org/upcoming-events/mini-bioblitz-2026

Hope to see you there and keep an eye on this page as we continue to post events by county!

Count(y)ing Events #08-09: Piatt

Count(y)ing Events #08-09: Piatt County!
There will be two events hosted in Piatt County for the Central Illinois City Nature Challenge. Allerton Park is graciously incorporating the CICNC into their already scheduled hikes!

Meet us: Friday, April 24 at 9-11AM at Allerton Park (515 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, IL) for a Spring Migration Bird Hike! This is a registration-requested event.

Friday, April 24 at 12-2PM at Allerton Park (515 Old Timber Rd, Monticello, IL) for a Spring Wildflower Hike! This is a registration-requested event.

More information can be found at these links:
https://allerton.illinois.edu/events/spring-bird-hikes/
https://allerton.illinois.edu/events/wildflower-hike/

Hope to see you there and keep an eye on this page as we continue to post events by county!

Count(y)ing Events #07: Macon

Count(y)ing Events #07: Macon County!
There will be one event hosted in Macon County for the Central Illinois City Nature Challenge. Macon County Conservation District is graciously incorporating the CICNC into their Festival of Spring, with the assistance of INHS Scientific Specialist Matt Finzel!

Meet us: Saturday, April 25 at 12-4PM, at Rock Springs Nature Center (3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur, IL) for the Festival of Spring!

More information can be found at these links:
https://www.maconccd.org/annual-events-mccd/festival-of-spring/
https://www.facebook.com/events/26030434573278912

Hope to see you there and keep an eye on this page as we continue to post events by county!

Count(y)ing Events #03-06: Livingston

Count(y)ing Events #03-06: Livingston County!
We will be hosting four events in Livingston County for the Central Illinois City Nature Challenge. These will be guided hikes and walks led by Master Naturalist Nancy Smith!

Meet us: Friday, April 24 at 2-4PM, at Cullom Memorial Library (103 W Hack St, Cullom, IL). Meet at the library then be prepared to carpool to some great natural spots!

Saturday, April 25 at 12-1PM, at Humiston Woods Nature Preserve (61764 E 2100 N Rd, Pontiac, IL)

Sunday, April 26 at 5-7PM, at an IDNR Wetland Resotration (31741 E 300 N Rd, Chatsworth, IL). Space for parking may be limited so carpooling is recommended!

Monday, April 27 at 1-3PM, at Munz Park Natural Habitat (South 1st St, Fairbury, IL)

Hope to see you there and keep an eye on this page as we continue to post events by county!