Ballard Nature Center

Mother-Daughter Tea Party
2023-05-07 14:00 (America/Chicago)
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Nature Tales
2023-02-14 10:00
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.

Sky Orienteering
2023-02-10 18:00
Join Randy Harrison as he helps you view constellations, Mars, & the great Orion Nebula. We’ll also see if we can identify the bright Messier Objects in certain constellations. Get a look at a very special visitor, who last visited 50,000 years ago, the comet c/2022 E(ZTF). 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. Dress warm! If too cold or cloudy, backup date is Feb. 24. No registration required. All ages.

Art Show
2023-02-03
2nd Annual Art Show going on through the month of February.

Beat the Blues with Birds
2023-01-28 14:00
Got cabin fever? Then get out of the house and join us for this fun family program. We’ll have a book and activities about birds. A trail walk activity will be part of the fun. No fee. Register by email, phone, or facebook message.

2nd Annual Art Show Deadline
2023-01-28
All artists (ages & skill level) can submit. Deadline is January 28th. See flyer and entry form for more info.
2nd Annual Art Show @ Ballard Natuer Center
2nd Art Show Entry Form

Nature Tales
2023-01-19 10:00
For kids ages 3-5 with an adult. We’ll learn about animals in winter, play some games, and make a craft. Registration required – facebook message, email or call.

Winter Craft Day
2023-01-16 10:00 - 13:00
Kids in 2nd – 5th grades
School is out for Martin Luther King Day, so it is a great time to come out to Ballard Nature Center for winter fun. We’ll make several winter themed crafts. We’ll also do some activities and take a hike if the weather permits. Kids bring a sack lunch. $6 fee. Registration required – facebook message us, email or call. Register by 3pm on Jan 13.

Winter Break Fun
2022-12-28 10:00 - 13:00
For kids in grades 1st-3rd. 10am-1pm. We’ll have all kinds of winter-themed fun as we craft, play games, hike, and more. Bring a lunch. Registration required. $5 fee per child. ballardnc@frontiernet.net, 618-483-6856

Sky Orienteering
2022-12-14 17:00 - 21:00
Join Randy Harrison, of Looking Up Optics, at around 5pm and enjoy a night under the stars. Bring a chair and a pair of binoculars, if you have some. We will tour the visible constellations at this time of year, learn their locations, and how to identify them. We’ll also learn about the bright stars and the constellations that they are in. No registration required. Come take a tour star hopping around the sky.

Luminary Walk
2022-12-09 17:00 - 20:00
Come walk a trail lit by many beautiful luminaria of varying types & other decorations. Enjoy a fire and cookies. Free will donation.

Senior Moments
2022-11-16 10:00
Senior Moments Join us in having a fun and memorable senior moment.
Fall Fun & Games: Test your knowledge of nature in an enjoyable and fun way. Join us for a little friendly competition as we play non-strenuous games and activities that will have you thinking and make you laugh, while perhaps learning something new.
Painting an owl leaf will be part of the program.
We’ll also sip on apple cider & much on popcorn.
Adult program. Register by email (ballardnc@frontiernet.net), phone (618-483-6856), or send a Facebook message.

Astronomy Night
2022-11-12 18:00 - 20:00
The River Bend Astronomy Club will be here with telescopes. Join them anytime from 5pm-10pm to look and learn about stars, planets, and more. No registration required.

Annual Fundraising Banquet
2022-11-12 17:30
This fun event includes games, wine tasting, raffles, auctions, dinner, and more.
winter

Jack-o-lantern Trail
2022-10-31
Last day of this self-guided trail activity. Along the woodland trail (follow the signs) there will be pictures of jack-o’-lanterns attached to trees. At each picture, you will punch your card that you pick up at the trailhead. Turn your card in for a chance to win a prize.

Owl-O-Ween
2022-10-22 13:00
Come learn about owls. The World Bird Sanctuary will be here with live owls and will give a 45 minute educational presentation. Enjoy a fun hike after their presentation. Pre-register by email, ballardnc@frontiernet.net.

Treat Trek
2022-10-21
We’ll sing a few songs & listen to a story before we head out on the trail to meet nocturnal animal puppets and collect treats from them. Kids can come dressed in their Halloween costumes. Designed for ages 4-9. Choose from three times: 5:30pm, 6:30pm, and 7:30pm. Fee of $5 per child. Pre-registration required beginning on Oct 5. Send us an email, facebook message or call to register.

Senior Moments
2022-10-11 10:00
Join Larry Quicksall, a local beekeeper, to learn about bees & beekeeping. We’ll also taste some honey. We’ll take an optional walk after the presentation. Adult program. Pre-register by the 10th.

Nature Tales
2022-10-07 10:00
For kids ages 3-5 with adult. “Nuts About Nuts” –come learn about the amazing variety of nuts and the animals that eat them, do a craft, and take a hike. Pre-registration required.
