Recreation
Abe’s River Race
Riverbank Lodge 522 S. 6th St., Petersburg, IllinoisRegistration is open for the Annual “Abe’s River Race” -- a 15.5 mile race on the Sangamon River. This is an official race, but some participants come dressed as Abe Lincoln and others participate just for fun too. Rain Date: July 15th Register here.
Sangamon River Float Trip: Riverwood to Sangamon Greenway
Riverwood 564A CR 2400 N, Dewey, IllinoiaJoin us for a free Level 2 Intermediate skill float trip on the Sangamon River! We’ll start at Riverwood north and east of Mahomet, pass through Lake of the Woods and go on to the Sangamon Greenway, where IL 47 crosses the Sangamon south of Mahomet – parking lot on the Northeast corner of the bridge. Meet up 9:00 am at Riverwood unless you wish to park at the Greenway (the endpoint). You can drop your vehicle at the endpoint by 8:15 and catch the shuttle up to the starting point at Riverwood. Please sign up here.
Mahomet Music Festival & Duck Race
Mahomet 503 East Main Street, MahometParade: 10am. Walk with the USRC! Starting at noon to 5:30: Help staff or just visit the USRC display tent – and be sure to purchase a duck! 6:00 pm Duck Race
Sing-A-Long on the Sangamon
Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial 39.805351, -89.104150, Decatur, IllinoisIllinois Water Trail Conference
Four Rivers Environmental Education Center 25055 W. Walnut Lane, Channahon, IllinoisThe purpose of the conference is to educate attendees on the economic, educational and environmental benefits of water trails, and to promote their development and expansion within Illinois. The target audience is representatives from state, county, municipal governmental organizations, stakeholders of river/watershed groups and many more. We anticipate an audience of more than 70 attendees from a variety of governmental, private and nonprofit groups. Host Organization: Illinois Paddling Council Event Location: Four River Environmental Education Center, 25055 W. Walnut Lane Channahon, IL 60410 Event Date: 10/15/18 Event Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Central Time Registration: Through paper (printout from website) or online. Click here to register Cost: $40.00 More Information: More information available here
The Beauty of Spring Woodland Wildflowers
Brady Woods 10 County Road, 1800N, Seymour, IL, United StatesLCF members and Master Naturalists! Join us at the 20-acre Brady Woods in western Champaign County for glorious spring wildflowers. This site is known for its spring beauty and bluebells -- and more. Address is 10 County Road, 1800N, Seymour 61875. Directions: I-72 to Mahomet, IL-47 Exit. Turn Right on IL-47 then at first left 1675N White Horse Farm sign). Travel about 2 or 3 miles to 1500 E (no sign, but small White Horse Farm sign on telephone pole). Turn right. Travel to end of road, turn at arrow. The second mailbox, 10, is your destination. Parking is limited along the road. Leaders: Melissa Records & Teresa DeWittt, Master Naturalists Earn 1 Master Naturalist’s CE Credits
Floodplain Forest Birds
Sangamon River Corridor Preserve 802 Allerton Rd, Monticello, IllinoisJoin Tara Beveroth, an ornithologist at the Illinois Natural History Survey for a walk on the 2.3-mile Bruce Hannon Levee Trail to identify the birds we find in this 108-acre floodplain forest. Meet us at the Sangamon River Corridor Reserve parking lot on Allerton Road adjacent to the Monticello Golf Club at 8:00 a.m. Bring binoculars (and a bird book if you like), plus water/snacks. Leader: Tara Beveroth, INHS Earn 1 Master Naturalist’s CE Credits
Menard County Trails & Greenways’ Sangamon River Fall Float
New Salem Picnic Area Lewisburg, IllinoisExplore Sangamon River geology, history and nature on a Fall Float from Gudgel Bridge to New Salem on October 12, 2019.
3rd Annual Mudpuppy Festival
Monarch Brewing Company 212 S. Independence Street, Monticello, IllinoisCome celebrate the Sangamon River's coolest creature! 3rd Annual Mudpuppy Festival scheduled on Saturday, February 1, 1-4 pm at the Monarch Brewing Company in Monticello. Mudpuppies are a threatened species of salamander that sound like a puppy barking when on land. And, we have them right here in Monticello in the Sangamon River! Check out this YouTube video to see one in action. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pcuKcGZ8ns Download the festival flyer for all the details and list of sponsors.