Upcoming Events & Field Trips

Below is a chronological list of our 2015 Trips. For most trips you can click on the site name to find out more about the location. All trips are on Sundays starting at 1 p.m., except for the Night Bugs! event August 8th. To find out more information, get directions, or RSVP, please e-mail us at the club e-mail address.

For reports and photos from a trip, click on the “Field Trip Reports” link at the top of this or any page.

July 19 Whiteside Garden

We will be visiting Wes Whiteside’s outstanding 5 acre garden near Charleston, IL in search of butterflies and dragonflies while touring his amazing plant collection. Check the website link in its name above for more information on this incredible garden. E-mail for directions.

June 7 Fox Ridge State Park

We will be heading to Fox Ridge to search for early summer butterflies and dragonflies. We will meet at the Raccoon Retreat for the start of our bug hunt.

July 5 Switzer Property

The Switzer property includes a variety of habitats, including flood plain forest, a permanent creek and riparian habitat, upland oak-hickory forest, ravines, 4 acres of restored prairie/meadow and 2 fishless ponds. Over 50 species of butterflies and over 40 species of odonates (dragonflies & damselflies) have been observed on the property. E-mail for directions.

August 8 Night Bugs! at Fox Ridge State Park

Our annual Night Bugs! event is always a summer highlight. We will meet at the White Pines Shelter starting at dark, and we will be checking the black lights we have set up to see what types of creatures are attracted to lights at night.

September 13 Douglas-Hart Nature Center

Douglas-Hart Nature Center has acres of woodlands, prairie, a pond, and a wetland, all as kind of an “island” in the middle of agricultural fields. The center itself has a beautiful bird viewing area and library. Nearby is a railroad trail that includes some restored prairie. Early fall is a great time to see what butterflies are in this area. We will meet in the parking lot.

October 4 Fox Ridge State Park

Fox Ridge State Park is a wonderful place to look for fall butterflies. We will be searching both the upland woods areas and the flood plain to see what the park has this year. We will meet at the Raccoon Retreat.

August 2 Daybreak Sanctuary

Richard and Susan Day have created an incredible property for wildlife. It includes 2 large marshes, prairies, woods, and an outstanding butterfly garden. In the past, we’ve had great visits, including one trip on which we saw over 40 species of butterflies! E-mail for directions.

June 21 Coneflower Hill Prairie

This beautiful little hill prairie near Lake Shelbyville should be in full bloom at the time of our visit, which will be good for bugs and bug hunters! Directions can be found HERE on the web site of the Embarras Volunteer Stewards, who have done a tremendous amount of management on this prairie..