Main - Nature At The Confluence

Connecting People With Nature

Nature At The Confluence is a new urban environmental center that opened in 2017. We invite you to stop in for a visit to discover nature right in the middle of an urban area! We’re located on property surrounded by the Rock River, Turtle Creek and Kelly Creek, and you’ll find scenic beauty during every season. The campus offers a 5-acre prairie restoration, learning gardens, pollinator gardens and we have programs throughout the year for all ages and interests! Visit our calendar to see all we have to offer and come see us soon!

Upcoming Events and Programs

April 7 (Tuesday)

Tickets

CANCELLED “Riding The Rails” film screening | Time Traveler Series

Apr 7 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Nature at the Confluence

The Confluence area was once home to a “hobo jungle”, a gathering place and encampment of men (and sometimes women) who rode the rails. We present the PBS documentary Riding the Rails to tell the[...]

April 18 (Saturday)

Tickets

CANCELLED! Free Oak Sapling Giveaway with Rock River Trail

Apr 18 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Nature at the Confluence

Nature At The Confluence and the Rock River Trail celebrate Earth Day with a Free Oak Sapling distribution. Saturday, April 18 – 9am-1pm – Free Oak Sapling Distribution – Take home a free bare-root oak[...]

Tickets

POSTPONED! Capturing The Moments of VetsRoll with Michael Cullen | Cameras At The Confluence

Apr 18 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Nature At The Confluence Campus

As the VetsRoll coordinator of still photography, Michael Cullen has been capturing the poignant images of the last 6 VetsRolls trips to Washington D.C. Come learn about his experiences on these trips as he shares[...]

April 22 (Wednesday)

Tickets

CANCELLED! Earth Day Walkabout

Apr 22 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Nature At The Confluence Campus

Since 2014 we’ve been planning, planting, clearing trails, and cleaning up trash to transform the nearly 100 acres of derelict property that borders the Rock River, Turtle Creek and Kelly Creek into a beautiful space[...]

April 26 (Sunday)

Tickets

POSTPONED! Mammoths to Mounds: 13,000 Years of Native American History | Time Traveler Series

Apr 26 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Nature at the Confluence

People have lived in the Rock River valley ever since the last ice age. Dr. Bill Green presents this program where you’ll learn how the latest archaeological discoveries are adding to our understanding of the[...]

May 17 (Sunday)

Tickets

Tortoise And The Hare with Hoo Haven | Woods of Wonder Family Program

May 17 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Nature At The Confluence Campus

Who is faster, the tortoise or the hare? Come find out when you meet Hoo Haven’s animal ambassadors in this fun interactive family program! Registration required! Children must be accompanied by an adult. This program[...]

May 19 (Tuesday)

Tickets

Soaring With Eagles program by photographer Kurt Van Galder | Cameras At The Confluence

May 19 @ 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm Nature at the Confluence

Kurt Van Galder is an accomplished wildlife photographer that has just returned from photographing penguins in Antarctica! But he doesn’t have to travel far to see his favorite subject – the American Bald Eagle. Kurt[...]

May 27 (Wednesday)

Tickets

Fire Masters | Woods of Wonder for Ages 7-11

May 27 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Nature At The Confluence Campus

Become A Fire Master! Learn how to survive in the Woods Of Wonder by making a fire! In this hands on program, you’ll learn fire safety, how to start a fire & different types of[...]

June 6 (Saturday)

Tickets

Creatures of The Creek | Woods of Wonder for Ages 7-11

Jun 6 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am Nature At The Confluence Campus

Amazing creatures live in Turtle Creek and Kelly Creek! In this citizen science program kids ages 7-11 will learn about the animals, fish and tiny creatures called macro-invertebrates that live in these streams. They’ll learn[...]

June 10 (Wednesday)

Tickets

Birds and Binoculars with Welty Environmental Center | Woods of Wonder Program

Jun 10 @ 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Nature At The Confluence Campus

Welty Environmental Center staff will lead this program where you’ll head into our “Woods Of Wonder” to do a little birding!. We will use our sense of hearing to learn to identify a few common[...]

April – June 2020 Apr – Jun 2020

Latest News

Plan and Plant Now To Support Pollinators!

Now is a great time to plan for new plantings to support pollinators! Download the Plants & Pollinators Chart below that shows which season the plants blooms, offering sources of nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. You can support local organizations...

Getting dirty in the garden can actually make you happier and healthier

I've always said that I'm happiest when playing in the dirt! And now that the soil is warming up, I'm so happy I can get out and do just that! Did you know that getting your hands dirty in the garden can actually make you happier and healthier? New studies...

Get Outside and Try Patch Birding or Yard Birding

Patch Birding or Yard Birding is a fun way to watch and keep track of all the birds in a specific areas. Patch Birding or Yard Birding is a way to list all of the bird species you have seen from a very specific, small site, like your yard or a specific patch of woods...