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.
Oct 2026
Making the Most of Fall
Let’s hike the preserve and enjoy the trees while they still have their leaves.
Description:
Roaming Naturalists is a monthly hike designed for adults (all ages welcome) that want to learn more about the natural world. Topics will range from birds to plants to insects and beyond. While each hike will have a topic of focus, we will allow the interest of the group and the surprises that nature throws at us to determine what we learn on our hike.
Meet your guide at the trail head parking lot. Hikes will range from 1-2 miles (rarely 3 miles) and easy to moderate terrain. These hikes will occur rain or shine. In the event of icy conditions, or excessive snow, the hike may be canceled. The Nature Institute closes for the weather when Alton Public Schools close.
Program Fees:
Free, but donations are appreciated
Registration Required:
No, but preferred (You will receive a reminder email if you register ahead of time.)
Things to bring:
Reusable water bottle
Bug spray
Dress in layers
Appropriate footwear
Godfrey, IL,62035
Junior Naturalists
Description:
Tiny Trekkers is a once a week drop off program for ages 3 – 5. Registration is offered by the month only, single class registrations are not permitted. Preschoolers will explore nearly 500 acres of preserve through hands-on experiences out in nature. Spots are limited.
Children must be able to use the restrooms independently. Please see our Tiny Trekkers page for more details. 4 child minimum per session, 8 child max per session.
Tuition: $30 per class, billed by the month (example: 4 classes = $120/month)
- Tuition is not adjusted/pro-rated/refunded for missed classes. The billing months are already adjusted for holidays.
- Installment payments are available for sessions.
- Pricing per month is based on the number of sessions in the month.
- Members receive 15% off all program fees.
Registration Required:
Yes
Godfrey, IL,62035
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