Talahi Lodge
This is the education center.
Kemp and Cora Hutchinson Bird Sanctuary
Photographer Name
Date
OUR MISSION
The Nature Institute works to foster an awareness and appreciation of the natural world through preservation, restoration, and education.
The Nature Institute (TNI) is a non-profit land conservation and environmental education organization based in Godfrey, IL. Since its founding in 1980, The Nature Institute’s board and staff have worked to foster an awareness and appreciation of the natural world through preservation, restoration, and education.
Each summer TNI hosts about 400 children, grades pre-K through 6th, for Discovery Day Camp, a premier, ACA, nature day camp. Every school year, more than 8,000 area students visit TNI for field trips, including high school and college students. TNI also owns and manages more than 450 acres of protected land, such as the Olin Nature Preserve, the Mississippi Sanctuary, the Kemp and Cora Hutchinson Bird Sanctuary, and the Heartland Prairie Project at Gordon Moore Park. These natural areas provide unique places for the public to experience the diversity of the Riverbend area with its hardwood forests, prairies, and wetlands.
Aug 2026
This new program is offered exclusively to 6th – 9th grade students! Critters & Crypts is our weekly Dungeons & Dragons group. Journey on quests with a nature-based flair, using characters and dice.
No experience is required. Dice and characters are provided. This is a primarily indoor program.
The session lasts 14 weeks, from August 18th – November 17th. Limited to 8 students.
Godfrey, IL,62035
Description:
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 night after a full moon 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.
Program Fees:
Free for members, $5 for non-members
Registration Required
Yes
Things to Bring:
Water Bottle
Telescope you would like to learn how to use (optional)
Binoculars (optional)
Godfrey, IL,62035
This summer, take your little explorer outdoors! Join us for a caregiver + child class for ages 2.5 – 5. Come and learn about nature through story time, snack, art activities, and outdoor exploration.
Dates:
- Beaks & Binoculars: Thursday, June 25th, 10 – 11 am
- Sensory Summer: Thursday, July 30th, 10 – 11 am
- Turtle-ly Awesome Reptiles: Thursday, August 20th, 10 – 11 am
Program Fees: $12/child. Family level memberships or higher get a 15% off discount. Pre-registration is required. 3 child minimum, 12 child max.
Godfrey, IL,62035