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
Winter Yoga + Hike – This special winter edition includes a 30 minute hike, 60 minute indoor yoga practice, and hot coffee from Germania Brewhaus.
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.
Paint with the Prairie – Join us for an evening of learning about soils and using natural paints to make our own creations.
Wild Romance: Love in the Animal Kingdom – This virtual program will give you a glimpse into the wild and weird relationships in nature.
Roaming Naturalists: Springing Back to Life – Let’s look at what nature is doing after a long winter.
Spring Wildflower Walk – Join us for a morning walk learning about spring ephemeral flowers that are blooming.
Nonsense Nature Hike – This fun joke filled hike is perfect for the whole family. You might even learn something despite all the dad humor.
Spring Edible and Medicinal Plants – Learn about the plants that can benefit you and grow right in our own backyard.
Heartland Prairie Hike – Join native plant enthusiasts for a hike at Heartland Prairie. You will learn what is blooming and learn more about the native plants found there.
Roaming Naturalists: Emerging Flora of the Forest Floor – We will see what later blooming plants are still around even as the trees are putting out their leaves.
Roaming Naturalists: May we Move? – Let’s talk about migration, specifically migrating birds. We will hopefully see and hear some warblers on our walk.
Join us for a discussion of a non-fiction title with a natural history topic focus.
Volunteer Opportunities
Frogwatch Training – The Nature Institute is excited to host a FrogWatch Gateway Chapter Training marking the first time this nationally recognized community science program will be offered at our site.
During the training, participants will learn how to identify local frog and toad species by their calls, understand FrogWatch monitoring protocols, and explore how community-collected data support amphibian conservation and research.
During our restoration workdays, help us remove invasive species by pulling and cutting.
Special Events
Trivia Night – Who doesn’t love a night of trivia? Join us for a classic game of trivia spanning 10 different categories (not just nature trivia!). Take a bid on a silent auction item and test your luck at our raffle drawing. Optional add-ons, such as mulligans, can also be purchased. Seats are purchased by the table. All proceeds benefit The Nature Institute.
Location: KC Hall, 1713 Stamper Ln, Godfrey, IL 62035
When: Sat, February 21st, 2026. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Trivia begins at 6 pm. Arrive early to grab a drink and take a look at our silent auction items!
Pricing: Early Bird Price is $120/table (comes out to $15/person). Regular price is $150/table ($18.75/person). Registration is by the table – each table seats 8 people.
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)
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.