Adult and Family 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. You will find registration for events by clicking on the red link.
Adult and Family Programs
Yoga + Hike – Moonbird Yoga is headed to the Nature Institute for a 60-minute hike in nature before connecting more in a 60-minute 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! This program runs from 8 – 10 a.m on select Saturday mornings.
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.
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 of the new 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.
- Roaming Naturalists: May we Move? – Let’s talk about migration, specifically migrating birds. We will hopefully see and hear some warblers on our walk.
- Ecology and Identification of Common Woodland Ferns in Illinois – Join Christopher Evans, a forester of U of I Extension, to learn all about ferns! Ferns are a spore-producing ancient lineage of vascular plants with a fascinating and complex life cycle. They are an integral part of Illinois ecosystems. This presentation will cover the life history, diversity, anatomy, and ecology of ferns. While ferns can occur in many different habitats, this presentation will end on how to identify some of the common ferns found in Illinois woodlands.
- Masters of the Night – Join us for this free, online program all about Illinois bats! Dive into species morphology, adaptations, and general surveying techniques. Thursday, October 29th, 6 – 6:45 pm. FREE for both members and non-members. Pre-registration to receive the Zoom invitation. Registration opens July 1st.
- Winter Seed Sowing 101 – Come learn how to winter sow some of your seeds for your 2027 garden season. Winter sowing is a low-maintenance, eco-friendly method of starting seeds outdoors during winter by using clear, recycled containers as “mini-greenhouses.” Seeds are sown in pots with drainage, moistened, and placed outside, allowing nature to manage stratification, germination, and hardening off, resulting in strong seedlings for spring. Registration opens July 1st.
Volunteer Opportunities
During our restoration workdays, help us remove invasive species by pulling and cutting. All workdays run from 9 am to 12 pm.
Location: We will be working on TNI’s Mississippi Sanctuary Preserve at the bottom of the bluff adjacent to the Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail. Volunteers are encouraged to park in the public parking area at Hoffman Gardens and walk down the bike trail to the worksite. Map of Worksite with Parking
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.
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.
Learn more and register for all below dates here.
- May 19
- May 29
- June 3
- June 12
- June 18
- June 26
- July 10
- July 15
- July 24
- July 29
Special Events
Movie Nights – 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.
- April 18th at 8:30 PM: The Hobbit (1977)
- May 9th at 8:30 PM: The Lord of the Rings (1978)
- June 20th at 9:00 PM: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- July 18th at 9:00 PM: The Two Towers (2002)
- August 15th at 8:30 PM: The Return of the King (2003)
- September 19th at 7:30 PM: The War of the Rohirrim (2024)
- October 17th at 7 PM: The Return of the King (1980)
Join The Nature Institute and the Alton High School Symphonic Orchestra for our revived In Harmony with Nature concert, to be held on the beautiful Mississippi Bluffs on September 26th, 2025. The event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a chance to picnic with your family at the Skeet Range, and the orchestra performs at 6 p.m.
This concert will serve as a fundraising event for The Nature Institute.
Check back for registration.
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.