Events
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Hike With a Naturalist: Letcher Basin Eagle Viewing
Join us at Letcher Basin for this month's Hike With a Naturalist. The location is Letcher Basin and we hope to be able to view our resident Bald Eagles on this hike. Please sign up for this event HERE Please make sure to dress appropriately for the weather. As a reminder ParkLands does not allow
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ParkLands Route 66 100 Year Celebration Open House at the Lexington Preserve
Come visit the Lexington Preserve during the Route 66 100th Year Celebration! This will be peak time for wildflowers and migrating birds. ParkLands will have volunteers present in the Lexington Preserve parking lot to inform visitors about the preserve and suggest hiking routes. This is an open house event and directions can be found HERE
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ParkLands Wildflower Hike
Please join us for our annual wildflower hike at the Merwin Preserve. There will be 4 sections each with one leader so please sign up for the time that works for your group. SIGN UP WILL BE POSTED SOON!
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ParkLands Nature Quest Kickoff Party at the Illinois Art Station
Come enjoy all the nature that ParkLands Preserves have to offer during the Nature Quest Challenge. Visit any of our 5 featured preserves (Letcher Basin, Chinquapin South, Merwin, Lexington Preserve, and Moon Preserve) between June 20th and July 26th, and use the iNaturalist™ app to document the nature you see. Prizes will be awarded for
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Save the Date for the ParkLands 9th Annual Bike Ride
The bike ride will return on July 18th, 2026. Look for a sign up link in the early spring.
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Musseling on the Mackinaw
Join us for the yearly event on the Mackinaw River. Participants will scour the river for mussels and identify them with the help of IDNR biologist Eric Smith. Participants should be prepared to get wet in the river! River shoes and swimsuits or clothes that can get dirty are required. SIGN UP WILL BE POSTED
