Adult and Family Programs
New Registration System, Better Experience for You
The Nature Institute has switched all registration to Amilia SmartRec. Please check out this information page to learn more about setting up your account and registering for programs.
Check out the lists below to see our upcoming adult and family programs. Click on the name of the program to see more details.
Ongoing Events
The Nature Institute is partnering with Moonbird Yoga to bring you a relaxing morning out in nature. Join us for a 60 minute hike before connecting more in a 60 minute outdoor yoga practice with a view of the Mississippi River. Then, stick around for a coffee from local shop Germania Brew Haus. Mark your calendar and grab your hiking boots, along with your mat, for a nature-centric Saturday morning outing! $30/non-members. Members receive a 15% off discount.
Join Jess Thenhaus, a certified Forest & Nature Therapy Guide, for a unique outdoor experience at The Nature Institute. Forest Bathing is a practice that supports health and wellness through guided immersion in forests and other environments to promote the well-being of both people and the land. Unplug and unwind as you connect with nature and the ‘more than human world’ in this immersive sensory experience. Experience the healing and wellness- promoting effects of Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing), the practice of bathing in the senses in the atmosphere of the forest.
Join us as we slow down to read a book each month. The Nature Institute will host a book club each month featuring authors and titles that give us a deeper understanding of the world around us. We will meet to discuss the chosen book. We will gather together at the Mississippi Sanctuary Office where we can enjoy a view of the Mississippi River and maybe catch a glimpse of an eagle or two.
The evil Denaturizer has struck at The Nature Institute. He has placed poison bombs across the preserve, which can only be accessed by solving an ensemble of crafty puzzles. If allowed to explode, these bombs will wipe out all living things in the Mississippi River from here to the Gulf of Mexico! Can you solve the clues and stop the explosions before it’s too late?
This Outdoor Escape Room is suitable for ages 16 and up and takes place entirely outdoors. This program runs for up to 4 hours and may only be booked for one group at a time. Group size must be 4 – 8 people.
Join us on a night hike through the woods. On the trails of the Mississippi Sanctuary and Olin Nature Preserve the terrain is light to moderate (may include some elevation change) and is appropriate for families. You can expect the hike to be about 2 miles, and will include stops along the way. Guides choose routes based on the group and do not pick the route until the night of the hike. $5 per non-member adult, children 15 and under are free and advanced registration is required. Members are free.
Have an old telescope laying around, but never use it? Always wanted to look at the universe through a telescope, but don’t own one? You are in luck! Come on out to the Talahi Lodge on the scheduled dates and we will have some set up. You can also bring your own and we can help you use it. We will talk about how telescopes work and look at the moon and other night sky objects. Limited Space available, registration required.
Learners of all ages are welcome to roam with one of our naturalists on a hike that explores the natural world each month. The hike occurs on the 2nd Tuesday each month (some exceptions will apply) starting at 9am. Hikes typically last about an hour and will cover less than two miles.
Join us at Heartland Prairie at Gordon Moore Park in Alton for these bimonthly hikes, held on every second and fourth Tuesday, April through October. These walks are free and open to the public. Walks will focus on identifying native plants and birds. We will discuss the plants in our newer sections at the observation deck until approximately 6:00 p.m. so if you are running late, you can still meet us in the front section of the prairie. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water, binoculars and a plant identification book. FREE.
Rotating Programs
Ah, Valentine’s Day – the perfect time to explore the romantic entanglements of the animal kingdom. Cuddle up with your sweetie (whether human or pet) to get a look into some wacky animal mating rituals. This event is a free, online program for adults. Hop online on February 13th from 6 – 6:45 pm. Registration is required! Stay until the end of the program to enter for the chance to win a special planter from the Environmental Education Association of Illinois (EEAI).
Trivia Night will take place on February 22nd, 2025. Find more information and register here!
Herbalism 101 and Growing Medicinal Herbs
Crystal Stevens, owner of Flourish Folk School & School of Botanicals will give an introduction to herbalism and share some tips on growing and using medicinal herbs.
Bring your own mug to sample her homegrown herbal tea blends and take home your own tea bag with medicinal herbs. Crystal will have some of her books, homegrown herbs, and herbal products available for purchase.
The class is limited to 25 people, so be sure to sign up soon.
The herbalism class will take place on Saturday, February 22 from 1-3pm
These outdoor skills classes are designed for older student (14+) to adult participants. Each class will provide you with bushcraft knowledge and/or skills.
Leather Sewing Class with Steve Bollini
Learn to work with leather in this class led by longtime taxidermist and volunteer Steve Bollini! Steve will walk you through the process of building your own small leather bag, market wallet, or anything else you can think up.
The class is limited to 20 people so reserve your spot soon!
Because of the nature of the awls, needles, and other tools, we suggest that the class is mostly for teenagers and adults. For those under 18, we ask that an adult attends with the participants.
The leather class will take place on March 8 and run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
This hike is not what it seems! This tricky, family friendly hike will have you identifying some interesting phenomena in nature. Bring your dad jokes and your sense of humor to this unusual, April Fool’s Day themed hike. This program takes place on April 5th starting at 1 pm and lasts about an hour. $5/non-member, FREE for members. Pre-registration is required.
Spring Bird Hike with Brian “Fox” Ellis
In mid-April spring migration is in full swing at TNI and we are hosting a hike with Brian “Fox” Ellis, Director of Membership and Outreach with the Illinois Audubon Society. We will see our year-round resident woodpeckers and chickadees, but we might also be greeted by an array of neotropical migrants, warblers, and vireos, heading to the north woods. The hike will start promptly at 8:00, so come a little early. Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars and a friend. (Extra binoculars will be available and friends are always waiting to greet you!)
The hike will take place on April 12 and run from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Join us monthly on a Friday evening for a family friendly adventure. Recommended for ages 5 and up, we will explore all that the preserve has to offer! Activities may include short hikes, hands-on investigations, use of scientific tools, art projects, and more. Pre-registration required. 3 family minimum, 15 family max.
Program Fees: $5/person, ages 2 and under are free. FREE for TNI Members at the Family Level or higher. Pre-registration is required.
Calling all Pokémon GO fans! Did you know that TNI has 4 Pokémon gyms and multiple PokéStops? Head out on the trails to catch ‘em all with TNI’s education staff! Enjoy a leisurely group hike with stops along the way to catch Pokémon, battle at gyms, and collect items. Use of a cell phone with the Pokémon GO app is required.
Program Fees: Free for members and non-members.
Upcoming Dates:
- Saturday, April 26th at 11 am.
Join our education staff for a leisurely hike to learn about the many edible plants out on the preserve. You’ll learn the basics of plant ID and then find some of the spring edibles out in the forest. This program takes place on Saturday, May 3rd from 1 – 2 pm. This program is open to TNI members only (all levels) and is completely free. Pre-registration is required and spaces are limited.
Not a member? Check out our membership page for more information and to become a member.
*Please note: The Nature Institute is an Illinois nature preserve. While we have a permit to collect items during our educational program, visitors may not collect or forage items from TNI at any other times. See more information on our FAQ’s page.