Nature Tales
2023-02-14 10:00 (America/Chicago)
A Valentine’s Day theme. Book, Slugs in Love, games and craft. For kids ages 3-5 with adult. Pre-register – email, phone or facebook message.

Senior Moments
2023-02-15 09:00
Breakfast with the Birds – enjoy a light breakfast as you learn about our winter birds. We’ll also watch them at the feeders. For adults of all ages. Pre-registration required.

A Tropical Escape
2023-02-17 18:00
Enjoy an escape from the winter blahs. Tropical treats, drinks, a short presentation on Hawaii’s wildlife, and a craft await you. Adult program. $5 fee. Pre-regsitration required. Dress in tropical attie for added fun.

A Splash of Red
2023-02-20 13:00 - 14:30
For kids in 1st-4th grades. We’ll learn about cardinals and other winter birds. Games & crafting, too. $5 fee. Pre-registration required.

Horse Race Fundraiser
2023-03-03 18:00
A fun and interactive fundraising event at the Effingham Performance Center to benefit the Ballard Nature Center.
Doors open at 6:00pm
Races start at 7:00pm
A night that re-creates being at a true horserace.
Attendees will place bets in increments of $5.00 prior to each race.
Daily Double and 50/50 will able be available for your chance to win.
Dress in your “derby” attire for your chance to win a door prize.
Simple Appetizers will be provided
Drinks available for purchase.
Ticket prices: $25.00/person
Please contact Ballard Nature Center via email, Facebook, or phone (618-483-6856) to purchase tickets or sponsorships.
You can also purchase tickets online using the link provided:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/511227734917

Wild Times
2023-03-11 15:30 - 16:30
Wild Times Exotics, from Springfield, will be here for an awesome presentation with live animals. The program will last one hour. Registration is required by facebook message, email, or phone. For all.

Senior Moments
2023-03-15 10:00
Come learn about the frogs that live at Ballard. We’ll listen to their calls and we’ll even have some live specimens to see. A little craft project is included. For adults of all ages. Registration required by facebook message, email, or phone.

Golden Egg Hunt
2023-04-06
For adults and teens. Come out anytime on April 6, sunrise to sunset. Find a golden egg and take a photo of yourselft holding it. Submit your photo for a chance to win a prize! There will be two eggs. Submit and photo for each one and be entered into the drawing twice. Submit photos via email, ballardnc@frontiernet.net or text, 217-536-2170. Clues to where the eggs are hidden will be posted on the front porch. Background of photo must show egg’s general location. Return egg to its location.

Egg Fun Family Activity
2023-04-06 13:00 - 15:00
Come walk a special trail lined with fun activities about eggs & animals that lay eggs. Self-guided. Come anytime during 1pm to 3pm. Cancelled if inclement weather.

Senior Moments
2023-04-12 10:00 - 11:00
What’s Hatching? Come learn about the amazing variety of eggs and the animals that lay them. We’ll have a couple live animal guest to meet. You can sample a few deviled egg recipes. For adults of all ages. Pre-register via email, phone, or facebook message.

Luminary Walk
2023-04-14 19:30 - 21:00
Celebrate spring with a walk on our special luminary-lined woodland trail. Enjoy beautiful luminaria of different types and other decorations. You can also roast marshmallows at the firepit and do a fun activity about constellations.
Come anytime from 7:30-9:00pm.
No registration or fee. A donation box will be available for free-will donations.
For all ages.

Shed Hunt
2023-04-23 12:00
Whitetails Unlimited Central IL chapter is hosting its annual shed hunt at Ballard Nature Center. Antler sheds will be hidden Easter egg style. Open to children 0-18 in high school. Children will learn to score an antler. They can keep 1 deer antler. If anyone has antler sheds to donate for the event or needs more information, please contact Janice Monroe (217)821-8801 or Steve Niemerg (217)690-5621.

Mother-Daughter Tea Party
2023-05-07 14:00
A Sunday afternoon tea party will be lots of fun for mothers and their daughters (ages 5-10yrs). Enjoy tea, snacks, games, craft, and learn about flowers. $7 fee per child. Registration required. Space is limited. Register with a facebook message, email, or phone call. Register by May 3.

Jumping Frogs
2023-06-01 10:00
Family program all about frogs. Includes a puppet show, game, walk, and craft. Register by email or phone starting May 18.

Stargazing
2023-06-09 20:00 - 21:30
Join Randy Harrison as he helps you view constellations & other space objects. Randy will have a telescope & a giant pair of binoculars. Bring your own binoculars, if you have some, and a lawn chair if you like. Cancelled if too cloudy. No registration required. All ages.

Campfire Night
2023-06-16 19:00
Gather around the fire for songs, stories, & roasted marshmallows. We’ll learn about creatures of the night and hike a trail. $5 per family suggested donation. Register by email or phone starting June 2.

Bountiful Blooms
2023-07-21 18:00
Come make a flower vase and then take an evening stroll through the prairie to find some flowers to fill it. For families and adults. Register by email or phone starting July 7.

Paint Night
2023-07-26 18:30
Adult program. Enjoy a relaxing atmosphere as you paint a wooden dragonfly. Snacks included. $10 fee. Register by email or phone starting July 12.

Sense-ational Night Hike
2023-07-28 20:00
Use your senses on this hike after dark. Family & adult program. Register by email or phone starting July 14.

Buzzy Bees
2023-08-02 10:00
We’ll discover many types of bees as we walk a trail. We’ll also have games and a craft. Family program. Register by email or phone starting July 19.

Astronomy Night
2023-08-19 19:00 - 21:00
The Riverbend Club will set up telescopes for public viewing. In the sky for viewing will be a thin crescent moon, star clusters, nebula, double stars and more. Saturn will rise later in the evening. The club members will talk about astronomy and help anybody with telescopes as time and weather allow. No registration needed. Starting at 7pm.

3D Bow Shoot Fundraiser
2023-09-09 07:30 - 16:00
Thirty targets. $30 for adults, $20 for ages 12-18, $10 for 11 and under. Includes a meal.

3D Bow Shoot
2023-09-10 07:30 - 16:00

Senior Moments
2023-09-14 10:00
We’ll have crafts using leaves, learn to identify common trees by their leaves, and take a walk to look at trees. Adult program. Register by email, phone or facebook message.

Raptor Program
2023-09-23 13:00
The World Bird Sanctuary will be here with live hawks & owls. It will be in the lower level and last approx. 45 minutes. For all ages. Register by email, phone, or facebook message.

Campfire Night
2023-09-29 18:30
Gather ’round a fire for stories & songs. There will also be activities and a hike. Family program. Pre-register by Sept. 27.

Spooky Night
2023-10-27 18:00
Hike a spooky trail and collect treats from nocturnal animal puppets along the way. A 5:15pm, 6:15pm and 7:15pm time to choose from. $5 fee per child. Designed for ages 5-9, but all are welcome. Parents attend with children. Registration open on Oct 17-25. Register by facebook message, email, or phone.

Fundraising Banquet
2023-11-11 17:30
Our annual fundraiser includes appetizers, wine tasting, meal, raffles, games, silent and live auctions.
2023 Banquet Flyer

Owl Prowl
2023-12-01 16:30
Learn about owls, make a craft, and take a hike. Maybe we’ll hear one! For adults and families with kids 7 year old and older. Registration required – email, phone, or facebook message.

Christmas Fun Hike
2023-12-22 13:00 - 15:00
Take a hike along a special trail as you learn about the things animals might want in their stockings. Find the special tree and get a treat! A simple craft and fun games will be available in the lower level of the visitor center. Come anytime from 1-3pm. $5 fee per family.
