Public Programs & Events
NO NEED TO PRE-REGISTER – JUST DROP IN
Click on a blue underlined event name for more information.
Yoga
Experience the benefits of Yoga in the tranquil setting of Forest Park Nature Center. Instructor: Jean Sloan
8th Annual Earth Day Celebration
Celebrate Earth Day at the Nature Center on Saturday, April 21!
Folk & Country Jam
Dust off that guitar, fiddle, banjo or other acoustic instrument and bring it down to the Forest Park Nature Center for a jam session. Offered the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.
Wildflower Walks
Attend Wildflower Walks at the Nature Center on three Wednesdays: 4/25, 5/16 or 6/6 at 10 a.m.
Forest Park Garlic Mustard Workday
Garlic Mustard, an exotic invasive plant species, is threatening native understory plants and is gaining ground rapidly. Please spend some time and help us control this rapidly spreading plant on Saturday, April 28, 9 am-12 pm or Saturday, May 12, 1-4 p.m.!
River Spirit Flute Circle
Listen to Native American flute music, or try your hand at playing this beautiful wooden instrument--at the Nature Center on these Saturdays: 4/28, 5/26, 6/23, 7/28 and 8/25 from 1-2:30 p.m.
Migratory Bird Walks
Search for spring migrants and resident birds of Forest Park with a naturalist or a guide from Peoria Audubon on two Saturdays: May 5 or May 19, at 7:30 a.m.
Book Signing with Local Author Jannifer Powelson
Attend a book signing at the Nature Center on Saturday, May 5, and meet local author Jennifer Powelson, who wrote Rachel and Sammy Visit the Forest!
Signs of Spring
Come celebrate spring on these great hikes in May--5/6, 5/13 and 5/20 at 1:30 p.m.
Exploring Nature with Your Child or Grandchild
Explore nature with your child or grandchild on Saturday, May 19, 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Forest Park Nature Center!
Pine Cone Bird Feeders
Kids can make a simple birdfeeder that will bring enjoyment to them and our local birds--Saturday, May 26, 10 am-1 pm at the Nature Center. Ages 4+
NEW! Spring Art Show
NEW EVENT! Spring Art Show at the Nature Center on Saturday, June 2, 10 am-3 pm!
Summer Story Time
There’s nothing like a good story to remind us that the simple things are often the best! Well, there’s that and more in the Nature Center on a few Thursdays this summer: 6/14, 6/28, 7/12 and 8/9 from 10:30-11:15 am. Best for ages 4-7/
Constellation Night Hikes
Enjoy an evening under the stars on two Fridays at the Nature Center: 6/15 and 7/20, 9-10 pm!
Lightning Bugs!
Children and their parents will experience the magic of seeing thousands of luminescent messengers blinking over the prairie during Lightning Bugs at the Nature Center on two Fridays this summer: 6/22 and 7/27, 9-10 p.m.
Pollinator Walk
Take a walk on the pollinators’ side with a Forest Park naturalist on Saturday, June 30, 10 a.m., and see how many pollinators you can find!
Introduction to Backyard Bird Watching
Attend the Introduction to Backyard Bird Watching class at the Nature Center on Saturday, July 7 at 10 a.m.
Prairie Wildflower Walks
Attend a Prairie Wildflower Walk at the Nature Center on Saturday, 7/28 (9:30 a.m.) or Saturday, 8/11 (6:30 p.m.) Ages 10+
Electronics Recycling Drop-Off
Mark your calendar now for the Goodwill Electronic Recycling Program-- a joint project of Forest Park Nature Center and Goodwill of Central Illinois, at Forest Park Nature Center on Saturday, August 18,10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hummingbird Festival
Don't miss the annual Hummingbird Festival--Saturday, August 25, at the Nature Center--featuring bander Vernon Kleen! 9 am-12 pm
Tree ID Walks
Need help identifying trees by their leaves? Attend a Tree ID Walk at the Nature Center on one of the following Sundays: 8/26, 9/9, 9/23, 1:30-2:30 pm Ages 10+