Wed. Sept. 11

7:00 pm @ FPNC

Charles Hostetler, Senior Program Manager at Peoria Disposal Company, will be with us describe: "The Role of Constructed Wetlands in Environmental Restoration and Habitat Enhancement."  Charles recently worked on a design that will transform Vicary Bottoms Dog Park into a wetland and hiking trail.

Wed. Oct. 9

7:00 pm @ FPNC

Join us an evening where our local board will be showcasing our local conservation effort and the establishment of several new nature preserves.  This includes nature preserves that are now opened to the public as well as a new sanctuary that is under development.  Additional details are forthcoming. 

Susie will lead a songbird hike through the woods at Forest Park Nature Center, starting at 9:30 a.m.  This is a free, come-as-you-are hike that is open to all ages.  This should be a fun way to find some of the fall migrants!  Extra binoculars and field guides will be on hand for people to borrow.  Meet inside the Nature Center at 9:30 a.m. 

Wed. Nov. 13

7:00 pm @ FPNC

Allison and Bob Montgomery will be presenting birding highlights - and lots of photos - on the spring migration of Sandhill Cranes along Nebraska's Platte River. In addition, they will be including tips on seeing booming Prairie Chicksns, Whooping Cranes, Prairie Dog colonies and more. 

Wed. Dec. 11

7:00 pm @ FPNC

Vic Berardi, founder of the all volunteer Illinois Beach State Park Hawkwatch and well known raptor photographer, will discuss wintering raptors of Illinois and surrounding areas. Emphasis will be raptor occurrences and descriptions as well as possible locations to find these birds in the winter months.Vic spends a great deal of time in winter searching for raptors and photographing them. His photographs have been used by several conservation organizations and in raptor field guides.

Contact Mike Miller (309) 681-2858 to participate

Sat. Dec. 21

Contact Sig Bjorklund (618) 363-1083 to participate

Contact Tracy Fox (309) 369-5331 to participate

Wed. Jan. 8

6:30 pm @ FPNC

Bring your flash drive, CD, or even slide carousel of photos or videos and bring your table service and a covered dish to share.  Members share photo/video highlights from the year AND, all the stories! Christmas Bird Count results will be presented. Note the earlier 6:30 starting time.  As always, guests are welcome!

Wed. Feb. 12

7:00 pm @ FPNC

Mark Glenshaw has been observing, photographing, and describing the lives of a mated pair of Great Horned Owls in St. Louis' Forest Park for several years. As a dedicated amateur scientist, Mark has photographed and documented owl behavior and led numerous Owl Prowls in the St. Louis area.  Come out to share in all the stories and images of owl behavior.   

Join us as we hit the birding hotspots along the Illinois River in search of waterfowl. Transportation in a Peoria Park District van, snacks, and lunch at a Havana restaurant are included.  The areas we visit depend on where scouting reports show the birds to be, but will probably include Spring Lake, Chautauqua, Emiquon and Rice Lake. Timing of this trip is optimized for the for spring migration of waterfowl. 

Pre-registration Required.  Fee; $50/person (Audubon and Nature Center members receive a $5 discount) Call Forest Park Nature Center at (309)686-3360 to register

Wed. Mar. 11

7:00 pm @ FPNC

Tracy Fox and David Pittman are scheduled to talk about the importance and status of having wildlife corridors in the Peoria area.   

Wed. Apr. 8

7:00 pm @ FPNC

Steve Zehner, a local eBird and iNaturalist user, will be with us for an exciting and relaxed evening to show how to become a citizen scientist with eBird and iNaturalist to: (1) Plan trips knowing what birds are typically seen in hotspots; (2) enter observations for plants and insects for identification; (3) store observation data for use by scientific, education, and other observers; and much more.  

Statewide survey of birds.  This bird count is timed to be at the peak of spring migration.  The Peoria Audubon Society organizes teams to participate in the Statewide count.  Contact Mike Miller at (309) 681-2858, Peoria County compiler, for more information and to volunteer. 

Wed. May 13

7:00 - 7:30 pm

for Bird Walk

7:30 pm for Audubon Update

@ FPNC

Join us for a lovely evening bird walk at Forest Park Nature Center before our meeting.  Then, our board members will be hosting a discussion of recent highlights of our local conservation effort.  Details are still being developed.