April - June Programs and Summer Nature Study
for Adults (16+)

Your interest may be the deciding factor to run a program!  Most programs require advanced registration. Click HERE for a program registration form.  Please try to register at least 7 days in advance.  Waiting until the last minute may result in a program being canceled due to low enrollment or missing out because it is full. Please register for classes by calling 309.874.2174 or emailing register@sugargrovenaturecenter.org.

April

Stewardship Work Days
Saturdays, April 27, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Don Schmidt leads a faithful group of volunteers in a variety of stewardship activities every other Saturday.  Work days include learning about Illinois' natural history first-hand, while spending a nice morning with friends who believe in the importance of being stewards of the environment.
Fee: Free; no registration required for individuals.  Groups interested in helping must contact the Nature Center at least one week prior to the workday to determine whether the planned activity is suitable.

RiverWatch Citizen Scientist Training Workshop
Saturday, April 27; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Join RiverWatch to become a part of a large network of volunteers who steward and protect Illinois streams.  RiverWatch certified volunteers, referred to as Citizen Scientists, are trained to detect and track the changes in water quality as suggested by changes in the population of macroinvertebrates, such as dragonfly nymphs, beetle larva, midges, and snails.  In doing so, they provide valuable insight to the health of our rivers and streams.  This interactive workshop will give you the tools to test water quality and collect reliable data. Visit ngrrec.org to learn more about RiverWatch.
Fee: $50/person, registration required.  Registration is through the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center. For more information on registering, visit ngrrec.org/riverwatch or contact Nate Keener at 618-468-2782 or nkeener@lc.edu.  Please bring a lunch. 

Wildflower Walk
Sunday, April 28; 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy a stroll through Funks Grove with Wild Ones members to discover the diversity of woodland wildflowers that carpet the forest floor every spring.
Fee: Free/members, $5/non-members; registration required.

May

Nature Center Work Days
Friday, May 3; 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Work with Nature Center staff and volunteers to tackle exotic species eradication, tree planting, prairie management, trail work and so much more. Join an enthusiastic crew of individuals for a morning surrounded by nature and make a difference in the health and biodiversity of an amazing natural area. Bring along a lunch if you like and we'll celebrate our accomplishments and socialize a bit after the work is done.
Fee: Free, no registration required.

Happy Trails Hikes
Thursday, May 9; 10:00 a.m.
This adults-only hike will go on and off trail, in search of any and all things of interest. Show up with a good pair of walking shoes and a sense of adventure! “In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks.” ~ John Muir.
Fee: Free; no registration required. 

Stewardship Work Days
Saturdays, May 11 & 25; 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Don Schmidt leads a faithful group of volunteers in a variety of stewardship activities every other Saturday.  Work days include learning about Illinois' natural history first-hand, while spending a nice morning with friends who believe in the importance of being stewards of the environment.
Fee: Free; no registration required for individuals.  Groups interested in helping must contact the Nature Center at least one week prior to the workday to determine whether the planned activity is suitable.  

Wild Ones Native Plant Sale
Saturday, May 18, 8 a.m. -1 p.m.
Illinois Prairie Wild Ones will a native plant sale in the auditorium of the U of I Extension Office at 402 North Hershey Road in Bloomington. Members of Sugar Grove Nature Center will receive a discount! A tentative list of plants included in the sale is available on the website www.wildones.org/chapters/ilprairie/. Experienced native plant gardeners will be available to answer questions and to help in the selection of native plants and flowers for hummingbird gardens, butterfly gardens, shade gardens, drought tolerant gardens and urban gardens (those plants less than three feet tall). Proceeds will support the chapter's monthly programs to educate people on the use of native plants in landscaping designs.

Stewardship Work Days
Saturday, May 25; 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Don Schmidt leads a faithful group of volunteers in a variety of stewardship activities every other Saturday.  Work days include learning about Illinois' natural history first-hand, while spending a nice morning with friends who believe in the importance of being stewards of the environment.
Fee: Free; no registration required for individuals.  Groups interested in helping must contact the Nature Center at least one week prior to the workday to determine whether the planned activity is suitable.

June

Nature Center Work Days
Friday, June 7; 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Work with Nature Center staff and volunteers to tackle exotic species eradication, tree planting, prairie management, trail work and so much more. Join an enthusiastic crew of individuals for a morning surrounded by nature and make a difference in the health and biodiversity of an amazing natural area. Bring along a lunch if you like and we'll celebrate our accomplishments and socialize a bit after the work is done.
Fee: Free, no registration required.

Stewardship Work Days
Saturdays, June 8 & 22; 8:00-10:00 a.m. *Note earlier start time.
Don Schmidt leads a faithful group of volunteers in a variety of stewardship activities every other Saturday.  Work days include learning about Illinois' natural history first-hand, while spending a nice morning with friends who believe in the importance of being stewards of the environment.
Fee: Free; no registration required for individuals.  Groups interested in helping must contact the Nature Center at least one week prior to the workday to determine whether the planned activity is suitable.

Happy Trails Hikes
Thursday, June 13; 10:00 a.m.
This adults-only hike will go on and off trail, in search of any and all things of interest. Show up with a good pair of walking shoes and a sense of adventure! “In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks.” ~ John Muir.
Fee: Free; no registration required. 

Stewardship Work Days
Saturday, June 22; 8:00-10:00 a.m. *Note earlier start time.
Don Schmidt leads a faithful group of volunteers in a variety of stewardship activities every other Saturday.  Work days include learning about Illinois' natural history first-hand, while spending a nice morning with friends who believe in the importance of being stewards of the environment.
Fee: Free; no registration required for individuals.  Groups interested in helping must contact the Nature Center at least one week prior to the workday to determine whether the planned activity is suitable.  

Summer Nature Study
Click to visit our SNS program page

Fostering a love and appreciation of nature is so very important.  What better way to do that than to attend an Adult Summer Nature Study program at Sugar Grove! Advanced registration is required and class size is limited. To register, please fill out a Summer Nature Study Form and mail it in with your payment.  Registration must be received two weeks prior to the program start date.  Programs may be cancelled if minimum participant numbers are not met. Call 309.874.2174 or email register@sugargrovenaturecenter.org for more information.

Zentangle: Pattterns in Art & Nature
Thursday, July 11; 10:00 a.m.-noon.
Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.  It increases focus and creativity, providing artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well being.  Certified Zentangle Instructor, Ellen Baranowski, uses this method to create nature inspired artwork. See examples of her art on page 11. This program will teach you the basic patterns and how to use them in your artistic endeavors and for relaxation. For more information on Zentangle, visit zentangle.com.
Fee: $12/members, $15/non-members; registration and prepayment required. 

Nature Journals: Learning to See Like an Artist
Tuesday & Thursday, July 23 & 25; 10:00 a.m.-noon
Instructor Sandy Bales with Jill Wallace will introduce you to methods of creating journal entries using pencil, colored pencil, and watercolor.  Empahsis will be placed on value, lines, and shapes to create form.  These skills can then be used to draw just about anything!  All materials will be provided.
Fee: $25/members; $30/non-members; registration and prepayment required.  Learn the basics of keeping a nature journal focusing on drawing and using color. 

Grown-Up Creek Stomp
Saturday, July 27; 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Why should kids have all the fun?  Learn about mussels, crayfish, and other invertebrates.  Then head out to explore the creek!  Bring a sack lunch, and be ready to get wet.
Fee: $10/members, $12/non-members; registration and prepayment required.

To Register
Please register by using the Summer Nature Study Form and sending it along with payment to Sugar Grove Nature Center, 4532 N 725 East Rd., McLean, IL 61754. You may also register in person. We are unable to accept credit cards. Call 309.874.2174 or email register@sugargrovenaturecenter.org for more information.

 

Past Events

Nature Center Work Days
Friday, April 5; 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Work with Nature Center staff and volunteers to tackle exotic species eradication, tree planting, prairie management, trail work and so much more. Join an enthusiastic crew of individuals for a morning surrounded by nature and make a difference in the health and biodiversity of an amazing natural area. Bring along a lunch if you like and we'll celebrate our accomplishments and socialize a bit after the work is done.
Fee: Free, no registration required.

Happy Trails Hikes
Thursday, April 11; 10:00 a.m.
This adults-only hike will go on and off trail, in search of any and all things of interest. Show up with a good pair of walking shoes and a sense of adventure! “In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks.” ~ John Muir.
Fee: Free; no registration required.   

Stewardship Work Days
Saturdays, April 13, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Don Schmidt leads a faithful group of volunteers in a variety of stewardship activities every other Saturday.  Work days include learning about Illinois' natural history first-hand, while spending a nice morning with friends who believe in the importance of being stewards of the environment.
Fee: Free; no registration required for individuals.  Groups interested in helping must contact the Nature Center at least one week prior to the workday to determine whether the planned activity is suitable.