Talahi Lodge
This is the education center.
Kemp and Cora Hutchinson Bird Sanctuary
Photographer Name
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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.
Jul 2026
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the release of Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Therefore, we will celebrate by watching various movies set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth! Come experience the awe and majesty of this bygone age and see the natural beauty of the lands of the fourth age with us this year at TNI. This free event takes place monthly from April through October. Watch a classic movie on our giant inflatable screen. Bring your own seating (lawn chairs or blankets), as well as your own snacks. No alcohol is permitted. See below for our upcoming presentations. No pre-registration required. While this event is FREE, donations are welcome! Limited parking is available, so arrive early to grab your seat.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron’s new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.
Godfrey, IL,62035
Location: Depending on the weather and what the stewardship crew is currently working on volunteers might be removing invasive plants or planting native species in selected locations.
Parking: Please park in the main parking lot just past Talahi Lodge. Be aware of children as you arrive and leave as we have camp going on this time of year.
Terrain: The terrain will be mostly easy, but there are opportunities to remove honeysuckle on steep hillsides. This is natural forest, so there are many tripping hazards in the form of stumps, vines, sticks, and rocks.
The Job: We will be removing invasive species such as honeysuckle, oriental bittersweet, japanese hops, and beefsteak plant just to name a few. These will be removed by hand pulling, and cutting with loppers or saws. TNI staff members will use herbicide as necessary in very targeted methods. TNI staff may be using chainsaws or other power tools during the work day.
Or we will be planting native species in our demonstration gardens and other selected areas. You will be using trowels and other small hand tools. Some workdays might also include some weeding of demonstration garden plots.
What to Wear/Bring: Volunteers should wear safe, sturdy shoes that they don’t mind getting dirty. Long pants are required, long sleeves and a hat are encouraged. Bring a filled water bottle. Please wear any extra safety gear you deem necessary. Basic work gloves and hand tools (loppers and hand saws) will be provided
Please Note: The ticks are here. Please bring and use your desired bug spray.
You can just show up or RSVP Here. If you RSVP you will receive a reminder email a few days before with further details.
Godfrey, IL,62035
Heartland Prairie Hikes are a long-running volunteer-led hike at Heartland Prairie at Gordon Moore Park in Alton. Join other prairie enthusiasts on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month April – October at 5:30 pm for a leisurely hike around Heartland Prairie.
Registration is not required for this event, you can just show up the night of and join the group.
Alton, IL,62002