Floodplain Forest Birds

Sangamon River Corridor Preserve 802 Allerton Rd, Monticello, Illinois

Join 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

3rd Annual Mudpuppy Festival

Monarch Brewing Company 212 S. Independence Street, Monticello, Illinois

Come 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.