Events

Conservation Days for Fall 2026

Our conservation workdays are on Saturdays (usually) from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome and no prior experience is necessary. We do not have formal membership or dues. Just come as often as you like and help us do our small part to maintain the health of woodlands, prairie restorations and native prairie remnants. Visit this page from time to time to get updates. To receive email notifications of updates and cancellations send your email address to Kenton at kemac76@gmail.com with a request to be added to the list.

We advise sturdy footwear and gloves at workdays. Tools are provided but personal tools are welcome.

Click to download a print-friendly PDF version of the Conservation Day Schedule for Fall 2026.

Fall 2026 Schedule

 

August 22nd – Lakeview Park w/EIU volunteers! Park at the end of McKinley Ave

August 29th – Woodyard Memorial Conservation Area 

Sept. 5th - Assist Grand Prairie Friends – at the Red Shack or Warbler Xing TBD 

Sept. 12th – Woodyard Memorial Conservation Area 

Sept. 19th – Lafferty Park - park in back parking lot of Carl Sandburg school. 

Sept. 26th – Lafferty Park - park in back parking lot of Carl Sandburg school. 

Oct. 3rd – Lincoln Log Cabin SHS – meet at pond parking lot 

Oct. 10th – Douglas-Hart Nature Center (tree planting!) NOTE TIME CHG 10-12! 

Oct. 17th - Reasor Park w/Urban Butterfly Initiative – meet at the junction of Lover’s Lane and Reynolds 

Oct. 24th - Lake Charleston – meet at parking lot by pavilion 

Oct. 31st - Lake Charleston – meet at parking lot by pavilion 

Nov. 7th – Lakeview Park – park at the end of McKinley Ave. 

Nov. 14th – Fox Ridge State Park – location will be emailed later! 

Nov. 21st – Fox Ridge State Park – location will be emailed later! 

Nov. 28th – NA (Thanksgiving Weekend) 

Dec. 5th – Walnut Point State Park. Meet at Pleasant View parking lot. 

DIRECTIONS: (paste coordinates onto Google Maps, then use Directions to find site)

Grand Prairie Friends Red Shack is S. of Charleston off SR130. Just past Westfield Rd. Turn right onto Daileyville Rd. Follow curvy road until you see red barn and parking lot on right. 39.43675617690485, -88.14392591416302 Warbler Xing is across from Lake Charleston 39.45631193809776, -88.14633565249378

Woodyard MCA – S. of Charleston on 130 just past Nursery Rd. Turn left just before Lake Charleston. 39.461404955564724, -88.15622331665425

Reasor Park – Corner of Lover’s Lane and Reynolds Dr. in Charleston. 39.47157571689411, -88.19229711763981

Douglas-Hart Nature Center – N. of SR16 on Lerna Rd. (870E), then left onto 800N. Center is on Right. 39.49243605533567, -88.31097959696534

Lake Charleston – S. of Charleston on SR130. Turn left before Embarras River Bridge. Follow road to end by Pavilion. 39.460053525957484, -88.14084914654148

Lakeview Park – Turn left on McKinley across from EIU energy center. Go to parking lot at end past Water Treatment Plant. 39.47298269612942, -88.15015104874183

Lafferty Park – Behind Carl Sandburg School in Charleston. 39.478697555243805, -88.19276490775802

Fox Ridge SP – S. of Charleston on SR130 ~7 miles. 39.40282869600468, -88.13584095834867

Walnut Point SP – N. of Oakland 39.697228, -88.036976