Spring into action with the Macon Co. Conservation District this weekend

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND)- The Macon County Conservation District invites the community to celebrate Earth Day and welcome spring at the 43rd annual Festival of Spring.

The festival is co-sponsored by Decatur Area Audubon Society and will feature all kinds of outdoor family activities.

Participants can go canoeing for $3.00 a person. All other activities are free, and no registration is required.

A full schedule of events can be found below:

Morning Activities 8am – 12 pm

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.

Spring Migration Walk, 8am – Join a knowledgeable Audubon guide for a walk on the trails in search of early spring migrants as well as birds who are in central Illinois year ’round. Spring is a wonderful time to discover new birds! Bring your own pair of binoculars or borrow ours.

Sangamon River Cleanup, 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. Meet at the Information Pavilion at Rock Springs Conservation Area. Staff will shuttle participants to cleanup sites. Registration begins at 9:30am.

Organized groups or clubs should call in advance, so we can accommodate the size of your group: 217-423-7708.

Afternoon Activities 12pm-4pm

Walks – Meet at Rock Springs Conservation Area for one or more guided hikes. Wear sturdy shoes.

· Wildflower Wander at 1pm

· Signs of Spring Stroll at 2:30pm

Birds of Prey Show – See and learn about live birds of prey with the Illinois Raptor Center. Choose from one of three program times: 12pm, 1:30pm, or 3pm. Held inside Rock Springs Nature Center.

Canoeing, 1pm-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 – 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 – 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.

Prizes will be handed out at the Prize Passport table.Children can collect signatures from booths they visit, then turn their passports in for a prize.

Many organizations will have take-home activity packets for children. Available first-come, first-served. Organizations participating include:

· Decatur Area Audubon Society

· Glacier’s Edge Master Naturalists

· Macon County Master Gardeners

· Community Environmental Council

· Champaign Soil & Water District

· Friends of Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park & Memorial

· Mercy Gardens

· Bright Start

· Boy Scouts of America

· Girl Scouts

· Sangamon Valley Beekeepers