Community Calendar Events

Hummingbird Day at War Bluff Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

Saturday July 27 9 AM – Noon

It's that time of year again, Shawnee Chapter Illinois Audubon Society's annual Hummingbird Day is just around the corner, on Saturday July 27, from 9 AM - Noon.

We'll gather at Illinois Audubon Society’s War Bluff Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (228 Bushwack Rd, Golconda, IL 62938) and celebrate these little jewels of the sky. Everyone is welcome to attend, learn something new and share your own experiences or stories.

Hummingbird Day provides an opportunity to observe these fascinating little birds and learn more about their amazing lives. Presentations on hummingbirds will take place throughout the morning. Children’s activities will be on-going as well. Hummingbird feeders, t-shirts, garden signs and other merchandise will be available for purchase. Register for a chance to win a hummingbird-related door prize. Light refreshments will be available.

The event officially ends at noon, but everyone is invited to stay as long as they like and enjoy watching the hummingbirds at the feeders and explore the trails. Shawnee Chapter will hold their annual meeting and elections at 1 pm. Come join us and enjoy a relaxing morning and afternoon.

Hummingbird Day is free and open to everyone. The event will be held rain or shine. Bring your children and friends, but we ask that you leave your pets at home.

Directions to the Sanctuary from Golconda: Take Rt 146 north of Golconda 3.5 miles, turn left onto Bushwack Rd (look for brown binocular sign) Follow Bushwack Rd about 2.3 miles to Sanctuary entrance on the right – watch for signs. Bushwack Rd turns into a gravel road & crosses a low water ford – don’t give up – just keep going and you will get there!

For more information, call, or text 618-534-7870, or email shawneechapterias@gmail.com

Shawnee Chapter is the local chapter of the Illinois Audubon Society and serves as stewards of War Bluff Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. We focus on issues of environmental significance to Southern Illinois, with special emphasis on those issues that pertain to the conservation and preservation of our native fauna and flora.

The Illinois Audubon Society has been helping preserve Illinois flora and fauna since 1897. The mission of the Society is to promote the perpetuation and appreciation of native plants and animals and the habitats that support them. For more information, visit https://illinoisaudubon.org

Sunday, August 18, 9 – 10:30pm

Free public astronomy observation at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale, School of Physics and Applied Physics Astronomy Observation Deck, located on the roof of the Neckers building. Join SIU Physics and the Astronomical Association of Southern Illinois for an evening of guided telescopic observations of the night sky.

Visible this evening: The Moon will be full this evening providing views of the lunar surface, but illuminating the sky making dim objects difficult to see. Saturn rises just before 9pm this evening and will be visible shortly after the start of the observation throughout the evening. A few deep sky objects such as M13 (Hercules Cluster), M57 (Ring Nebula) will be directly overhead and visible through larger telescopes with clear conditions.

Children accompanied by adults are welcome. Dress weather appropriate for this outdoor viewing. Please note that the observation deck is not handicap accessible and is only accessible via stairs. Note that while this is an outdoor activity, you may be in close proximity to people throughout the evening. Masks for this event are optional.

Trees in history and Central Illinois landscape history

Field Trip for Grownups- August 19th and 20th or August 26th and 27th

“Field Trips for Grownups” is designed to provide a unique educational series of short field trips to interesting places. It’s like Nature’s Graduate School without the exams. Tours will be held rain or shine. There are covered venues for parts of the tours, but dress appropriately for the weather as daytime presentations will be held outdoors. This is a great opportunity to learn about the area’s rich history and ask the experts. The two-day tour packages include lunch and beverages during the tours as well as dinner vouchers that can be used at many of the local restaurants in the area.

Cost per Person per Tour: $125

Included: Lunch and beverages provided while on adventure; $20 dinner voucher; 25% discount on lodging at RiverBank Lodge

For more information or to reserve your spot please call: 217-652-8827

Trees in history and Central Illinois landscape history

Field Trip for Grownups- August 19th and 20th or August 26th and 27th

“Field Trips for Grownups” is designed to provide a unique educational series of short field trips to interesting places. It’s like Nature’s Graduate School without the exams. Tours will be held rain or shine. There are covered venues for parts of the tours, but dress appropriately for the weather as daytime presentations will be held outdoors. This is a great opportunity to learn about the area’s rich history and ask the experts. The two-day tour packages include lunch and beverages during the tours as well as dinner vouchers that can be used at many of the local restaurants in the area.

Cost per Person per Tour: $125

Included: Lunch and beverages provided while on adventure; $20 dinner voucher; 25% discount on lodging at RiverBank Lodge

For more information or to reserve your spot please call: 217-652-8827

Trees in history and Central Illinois landscape history

Field Trip for Grownups- August 19th and 20th or August 26th and 27th

“Field Trips for Grownups” is designed to provide a unique educational series of short field trips to interesting places. It’s like Nature’s Graduate School without the exams. Tours will be held rain or shine. There are covered venues for parts of the tours, but dress appropriately for the weather as daytime presentations will be held outdoors. This is a great opportunity to learn about the area’s rich history and ask the experts. The two-day tour packages include lunch and beverages during the tours as well as dinner vouchers that can be used at many of the local restaurants in the area.

Cost per Person per Tour: $125

Included: Lunch and beverages provided while on adventure; $20 dinner voucher; 25% discount on lodging at RiverBank Lodge

For more information or to reserve your spot please call: 217-652-8827

Trees in history and Central Illinois landscape history

Field Trip for Grownups- August 19th and 20th or August 26th and 27th

“Field Trips for Grownups” is designed to provide a unique educational series of short field trips to interesting places. It’s like Nature’s Graduate School without the exams. Tours will be held rain or shine. There are covered venues for parts of the tours, but dress appropriately for the weather as daytime presentations will be held outdoors. This is a great opportunity to learn about the area’s rich history and ask the experts. The two-day tour packages include lunch and beverages during the tours as well as dinner vouchers that can be used at many of the local restaurants in the area.

Cost per Person per Tour: $125

Included: Lunch and beverages provided while on adventure; $20 dinner voucher; 25% discount on lodging at RiverBank Lodge

For more information or to reserve your spot please call: 217-652-8827

Help spread the message that every life is valued and suicide may be prevented. There is more to your Life; there is more to your Story. Join Centerstone for the 2nd annual Life;Story 5K run and walk in Marion, Illinois or virtually from anywhere!
Register Now!
Quantities are limited for the 2024 Life;Story commemorative finisher medal.
Veterans/active military personnel may register with the Promo Code "MILITARY5" to receive a $5 discount. First Responders may also receive a $5 discount with Promo Code "1stRESPONSE5."
Corporate, school, or family/friend TEAMS, or teams in memory/in honor of a loved one (any number on the team) may be created when you register. Team names may be printed on the shirt sleeve for teams of 15 or more that are registered by August 1. Team members registered after August 1 will not have the team name printed, regardless of the total team count.
Your registration and/or donations will help provide mental health and addiction services at Centerstone for people with little or no resources.
PACKET PICK UP
Pre-race packet pickup will be available on Friday, September 6 from 11 am - 1 pm and 4 - 6 pm at Pepsi, located at 2605 West Main Street, Marion, IL. Enter the Rains Building on the east side of the parking lot and you will be directed to packet pick up.
Packet pickup will also be available starting at 6 am on Saturday, September 7 at the Harry L Crisp Sports Complex. Please go to the registration table to pick up your packet the morning of the race.
PACKET SHIPPING
If you choose to have your packet shipped to you, $12 will be added to cover shipping costs. Packet shipping is included in prices for VIRTUAL participants.
INTERESTED IN BEING A VOLUNTEER AT THE EVENT?
Volunteer assignments are available on the event website by clicking on the Volunteer button on the left sidebar! Thank you for signing up to help us make sure all assignments are covered on race weekend.

We are thrilled to offer the ninth year of the Rocky Ledges 5K/10K Trail Run/Walk. The RL5K/10K takes place on the beautiful trails of Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center. This event is open to individuals and teams of all ages. Registration is open now!

The Little Grassy Get Down at SIU Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center is a family-friendly music festival featuring mostly original acoustic Americana music from around the Midwest. Performers include Chicago Farmer, Chain Station and Woodbox Gang! The event takes place from October 11-13 and weekend passes are on sale now!

The Little Grassy Get Down at SIU Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center is a family-friendly music festival featuring mostly original acoustic Americana music from around the Midwest. Performers include Chicago Farmer, Chain Station and The Woodbox Gang! The event takes place from October 11-13 and weekend passes are on sale now!