Many of TNI’s programs require registration through our Amilia registration system. Follow the red links to go directly to the registration page. If you are having trouble registering for a program, call us at 618-466-9930 and we will help you get registered.
Adult and Family Programs
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. Guides choose routes based on the group and do not pick the route until the night of the hike.
Things to Note:
- Please be on time, the hike leaves at the start time.
- Meet in front of Talahi Lodge
- Park in the lower parking lot (the rock lot at the bottom of the hill).
- Please check your email the day of the event for cancellation due to bad weather.
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.
Have an old telescope lying 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.
With the recent release of the reimagined Nosferatu, we thought why not make 2025 the year of classic horror? Come experience some thrills and chills with somewhat of a “nature” theme (or at least see them in a nature setting!) 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.
All movies this year will feature an episode of the 1935 movie serial “The Phantom Empire” as a pre-film short.
Early Childhood Education
Put on some boots and bring your sense of adventure! Put on some boots and bring your sense of exploration! This program is designed for children ages 2.5 – 5 accompanied by an adult. Come and learn about nature through story time, art activities, and outdoor exploration. This program takes place on the 1st Saturday of the month from 10 – 11 am.
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.
Student Programs
Need an evening off? Join us for a Kids Night Out! This 3 hour drop off program includes dinner and an evening of fun for ages 6 – 10. This program is offered on select Friday evenings during the school year. Spaces are limited. See below for a description of our upcoming Kids Night Out.
August 8th: The Final Hurrah – 5 – 8 pm. Let’s have just one more adventure before we head back to school! Our group will enjoy an evening of games and nature exploration.
September 19th: Geology Rocks! – 5 – 8 pm. What’s so interesting about rocks anyways? Learn what rocks can tell us and how to identify different types during this evening program!
November 7th: Beastly Builders – 4 – 7 pm. From bird nests to beaver dams, animals are nature’s construction crew. Learn about Illinois’ beastly builders by building an eagle’s nest, crafting a beaver dam, and more.
This drop off program provides a single camp day for students when schools are closed. Morning snack is included in the program pricing. Spaces are limited. This program runs from 9 am – 3 pm and is available to ages 6 – 12. See below for a description of our upcoming Outdoor EDventure Days.
October 13th (Columbus Day): Science Sampler
A little bit of this, a little bit of that. Try out a few different sciences, from dendrology to ornithology! Spend the day outdoors with hands-on activities and games.
After School Explorers is an after school drop-off program for elementary students (1st – 5th grade). This fall, students will meet weekly on Tuesdays from 3:30 – 5 pm to explore the preserve and learn more about nature. Registration is by the month.
Messy Play Day
It’s time to get MESSY! Join our education team for a slew of messy activities to take part in. Paint, splash, squish and stomp through a variety of sensory – based activities. This open house style program includes a variety of messy, hands-on activities, as well as a self led scavenger hunt, mud kitchen ‘cooking’, and water play.
This open house style program takes place on August 23rd and has 2 session options. Our morning session for ages 18 mos – 5 years is 9 – 10:30 am. The afternoon session for ages 6 – 11 is 12:30 – 2 pm. You are welcome to arrive at any time between those hours. Be sure to bring a change of clothes! Pre-registration is required. Spots fill up fast.
ECO Homeschool Adventures
Our sessions may include hikes, nature exploration, games, experiments, art projects, or scientific surveys. Participants at our younger sessions will also receive extension activities that can be completed at home with their whole family. Topics rotate each month and sessions are offered August through May.
Elementary sessions require a parent or guardian to attend with their child.
Our sessions may include hikes, nature exploration, games, experiments, art projects, or scientific surveys. Topics rotate select months of the year, September through May.
Our Middle & High School sessions are drop-off only.
Homeschool Field Day will be offered twice in the 2025/2026 school year. This special drop off program is for 3rd – 5th graders from 10 am – 2 pm. Each day will include hiking, special investigations of natural areas, art projects, games, and more. Lunch from Jimmy John’s is included in the registration fee.
Special Events
Imagine the rising, falling, booming sounds of a full orchestra blending with tunes from summer song birds and croaking bullfrogs. In a special way, In Harmony with Nature celebrates the sounds of music and nature and connects people back to their roots, whether those roots are along the Mississippi River or someplace else.
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.
Saturday, October 4th, 10 am – 1 pm
Join us for our open house style event of the year! Forest Fest is a celebration of the fall season and all of the changes in nature. Explore educational activities with our partner booths, take a tram tour, play games, and more! While admission is free for this event, tickets can be purchased for select activities, such as face painting and interpreter led hikes. All ticket proceeds go directly back into purchasing program supplies, supporting our stewardship team, and assisting with our mission of education, restoration, and preservation.
Some of the fun activities will include:
- Fall migration games
- S’mores station
- Itty Bitty Zone (activities for under age 6)
- Guided bird and tree hikes
- Tram tours
- Education stations
- Carnival style games
- Food trucks
- …and more!