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Current Events Who We Serve Application & Forms Employment @ TONEC TONEC Overview Staff Directory Map & Directions Freeberg Scholarship Touch of Nature Environmental Center Mail Code 6888 Southern Illinois University 1206 Touch of Nature Road Makanda, Illinois 62958 Phone: 618 | 453-1121 Fax: 618 | 453-1188 Email: tonec@siu.edu |
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Environmental Education Programs
Interpretive Programs Special 3 to 5-hour, age-specific programs are offered during the school year for grades K through 12. Each program is tailored to meet the schedule and needs of the group. Hands-on activities focus on ecological concepts. A visit is incomplete without outdoor exploration of Touch of Nature's beautiful natural setting. Nature Center Pond and Little Grassy Lake are available for aquatic exploration and study. There are also terrestrial treks and canoe courses through the great outdoors. There is at least one instructor present for every 10 to 15 students.  Learn the sticky business of making maple syrup. Gain knowledge in tree biology while instructors demonstrate tree selection, tapping, sap collection and the boiling-off process involved in the art of making nature's sweet treat. Learn the tradition, folklore and pioneer skills of sugaring off during this informative and fun workshop. Best of all, sample the syrup!
Interested in the great outdoors and how to survive a real wilderness situation? Through this workshop, learn the basics about food, water, shelter, fire building, tracking, nature observation and primitive tools - all out in the wild! This session can be tailored to your needs. Explore the woodland beauty of Southern Illinois in springtime! Go on a wildflower walk and identify numerous wildflowers using various identification techniques. Round out your knowledge with a discussion of habitat and invasive species.  What lives below the pond's surface? While at the water's edge, discover the animals that call a pond home. Discuss the life cycles of pond-dependent insects, fish and amphibians. Relate pond life to the health of the pond system.
 Naturalize along the beautiful banks of Little Grassy Lake. Learn about what has formed its shorelines and what lives there. Journey by canoe for a new perspective on what calls the lake home.
Be a nature detective! How can we identify forest plants? What do rocky bluffs tell us? What animals have lived here in the past, and who lives in these woods now? Open your senses to discover the natural wonders of this extensive woodland system. Examine bird specimens to understand how birds make a living. Go on a bird walk through the forest to see, hear, and identify our feathered friends. Relate the presence of sensitive bird species to the habitats where they reside. Record the lessons that nature has to teach. Open your senses to the natural world and express yourself through creative journaling. Enjoy a scavenger hunt that has you looking at nature in a whole new way. In addition to creative journaling, learn the importance of accurately recording your discoveries for the purpose of citizen science. How do plants and animals survive the sub-freezing temperatures of winter? What serves as food for wildlife in these harsh conditions? Look for tracks of animals that brave the cold. Learn to identify trees by their buds and bark. Look closely and you will find a winter wonderland of wildlife.  Sandstone bluffs, cypress swamps, and oak-hickory forests provide the setting for this five-day ecological experience. Adjacent to the Shawnee National Forest, Touch of Nature Environmental Center is located in the transition zone of several North American biomes and is thus an ideal location for the study of many natural communities. These diverse systems support an extremely diverse assortment of bird and wildflower species.
The neo-tropical songbird migration is highlighted as expert birders lead treks to view woodland warblers as well as a myriad of other avian species. There are owl prowls for nocturnal birders. With leaves just forming on tree branches, the sunny forest floor is carpeted with a plethora of wildflower species. Join area naturalists on favorite walks to identify and enjoy the flowers reflecting this unique area. Natural resource experts will lead discussions on habitat preservation, restoration, and species diversity in this beautiful "Land between the Rivers." Summer is on its way and so is Nature Camp! Come to the beautiful grounds of Touch of Nature Environmental Center and join trained naturalists to learn about nature in Southern Illinois. Each day's activities are centered around a specific theme. Through experiential activities and crafts, learn about plants, animals, water and what weaves them into the systems we see in our own backyards. Eco U is an experiential nature camp for youth entering grades 1-6. Touch of Nature Environmental Center's 3,100 beautiful acres on serene Little Grassy Lake set the stage for this camp. With nature as our playground, Eco U's professional staff will provide innovative, inspiring, and safe environmental activities to enhance each camper's ecological awareness and understanding. For current information on Eco-U for Summer 2008, click on this link. Program cost is based on the number of participants, accommodations, length of stay, staff requirements, and meals. When requested, programming includes wholesome meals, specialized equipment for camping and canoeing, first aid supplies, limited accident/medical benefits, and transportation. Please contact Kate Hellgren for current program costs.For additional programs check out Underway Outdoor Adventure |
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