Ongoing
Spring Migration Bird Hikes
Thursdays, 8-9:30am. Through May 15. Matt Hayes of the Illinois Audubon Society will lead hikes looking for migratory species as well as resident species. Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 Clear Lake Ave., 217-544-2473.
April
April Wildflower Walks
Saturdays in April, 10am and 2pm. Guided walks on Elkhart Hill presented by the Elkhart Historical Society. Reservations required and must be made by phone. $15 per adult and $10 per child. Final day, April 26, will have bird banding demonstrations. Call for more info. Tours leave from Country Bumpkin, 103 Gov. Oglesby St., 217-947-2238.
Third Thursday Program
Thu., April 17, 5:30pm. Matt Hayes, Illinois Audubon Society assistant director, will present “Warblers of Central Illinois: Why are They a Pain in the Neck?” springfieldaudubon.org. Free. Adams Wildlife Sanctuary, 2315 E. Clear Lake Ave., 217-899-6150.
Earth Day Presentation: Celebrating Living Lands and Waters
Fri., April 18, 5:30-8:30pm. Chad Pregracke, founder of river-cleaning organization Living Lands and Waters, will take audience members on a journey of challenges, adventures and triumphs – proving that one person can make a powerful difference. Includes social hour, Q&A and book signing by Pregracke, and an art exhibit by Sangamon Watercolor Society. Free. Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787.
Building Tree Equity to Support Health
Wed., April 23, 6-7:30pm. Christine Dannhausen-Brun will discuss her work using the Miyawaki method of tree planting to bring the benefits of forests to urban communities. uis.edu. Free. UIS Brookens Auditorium, One University Plaza, 217-206-6245.
Arbor Day tree plantings
Fri., April 25, 10am and 4pm. The Springfield Civic Garden Club will plant two pink saucer magnolias in honor of Arbor Day. The plantings will take place at 10 a.m. at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, 413 S. Eighth St., and 4 p.m. at Boys and Girls Club, 300 S. 15th St. The plantings will include readings of “The Giving Tree” and “Because of an Acorn” and other activities. For more info, call 217- 836-5572, or visit scgc-il.org.
Lincoln Memorial Garden online plant sale
Sun-loving plants such as milkweed, grasses, prairie blazing star, coneflowers and more, can be purchased online from April 25 to May 7 and picked up on Sat. May 10 from 8:30am-Noon. For more info, and to order, go to Sun-Loving plant sale.
Earth Awareness Fair
Sat., April 26, 11am-3pm. Free. Event brings together city departments, organizations, businesses and individuals to showcase and encourage Earth stewardship, resilience, sustainability and community building with the city. Union Square Park, 500 E. Madison St., 217-789-2255.
May
Planting Day
Sat., May 3, 9-11am. Guests welcome as the seedlings are planted for this year’s crop. Free. Enos Park Neighborhood Garden, 1022 N. Fifth St., 217-610-0720.
Springfield Civic Garden Club
Mon., May 5, 9:30am. This month, Dr. Phil Nixon, a native of Divernon and a retired Extension Entomologist for the University of Illinois, will talk about common insect pollinators such as butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, bees and wasps. Doors open at 9am for refreshments. For more info, visit the club’s website, Facebook site or call. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., 217-899-3283.
Illinois Native Plants and Wildflowers
Wed., May 7, 6-7pm. Karla Franks, master gardener, will talk about native plants and wildflowers native to both the Chatham area and Illinois as a whole and how you can plant them in your own yard. chathamlib.org. Free. Chatham Area Public Library, Chatham, 600 E. Spruce St., 217-483-2713.
Junior Naturalists (5-8 years old)
Sat., May 7, 10am. A nature program for children ages 5-8. Young naturalists will learn about nests and eggs. Costs cover class materials. $12-15 for the session. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Drive, 217-529-1111.
Tiny Adventurers
Wed., May 14, 10-11am, 1-2pm. A hands-on nature exploration program aimed at children ages 3-5 with an adult chaperone. On May 14 the lesson will be about eggs and nests. Free. Lincoln Memorial Garden, 2301 E. Lake Shore Dr., 217-529-1111.
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This article appears in Home and Garden.
