There’s many ways to learn, explore, experience nature and have fun at the Confluence Learning Center!
Would you like to see a program here or hold a program? Please email [email protected]
Click the “Categories” button below to see programs and events specifically for youth, adults, families, and free programs!
Weeds happen! We invite you to be part of the Green Team and help us stay on top of the weeding and other invasive plants at Nature At The Confluence! Spend as much time as you can share to help bring this land back to life! Come for 1 to 2 hours whenever you are available on Wednesdays, 9am-11am.
- Bring garden gloves, bug spray, sun screen and any tools you prefer to attack weeds!
- We provide drinking water and granola bars.
Click here to register to volunteer, or you can just show up!
Free 45 Minute Guided Tours Offered:
- 12pm
- 2:00pm
The Confluence Learning Center and Grounds are open 9am-3pm.
The confluence of Turtle Creek and the Rock River has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years, as fertile land and abundant resources made it a very desirable place to live. Native American Indians settled here, fur traders used the waters as a trade route, and in the last 100 years, South Beloit has become a bustling community. On August 26 we’re celebrating South Beloit’s Centennial by offering guided tours of the facility.
On this tour you’ll learn about the history of the land, and the work to bring it back to life. Learn about the people who lived here, see our “secret” creek, visit our Italian heirloom garden and learn about the centennial prairie.
No registration needed. We will be walking on the gravel trails, and a bit on a grassy field (less than 1/4 mile). Free event
The confluence of Turtle Creek and the Rock River has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years, as fertile land and abundant resources made it a very desirable place to live. Native American Indians settled here, Fur Traders used the waters as a trade route. In the last 100 years, South Beloit has become a bustling community and in 2017 we’re celebrating South Beloit’s Centennial by offering a Centennial Paddle.
The Centennial Paddle is guided paddle trip on the Rock River, starting on Turtle Creek in South Beloit, and quickly entering the Rock River, enjoying a scenic paddle to Macktown Forest Preserve.
It’s a very popular trip offered by Rocktown Adventures. Sign up now to secure your spot!
This six mile guided paddle traces the route fur traders used back in the day when the Rock River acted like a Commerce Highway. Enjoy the wooded scenery and wildlife on a leisurely paddle as you follow the Fur Traders route down to the Macktown Trading post, where a shuttle will be waiting to take you back to the launch site at Nature at the Confluence. There is one portage required on this trip at the Rockton Dam.
The price for this experience is $50 and includes kayak, paddle, pfd, guide, shuttle, and a good time. Price is $20 for those that need a shuttle. Reservations required! To sign up please give Rocktown Adventures a call at 815-636-9066 or click here to register.
Join on the paddle trip for free if you have your own boat and shuttle!
“Good” plant or “Bad” plant? Let’s dig in and find out!
Join the adult Stream Team and spend a morning learning basic plant I.D. techniques and how to identify the plants that don’t belong near our streams. What does the presence of invasive plant species tell us about the health of the NATC ecosystem, and how does removing them improve the habitat for the area’s plants and animals. Revitalize the area by helping with Kelley Creek bank restoration and Turtle Creek clean-up and make a positive impact on the community!
- Wear long pants, long sleeved shirts, socks and closed- toed shoes.
- Please bring bug spray.
- Free program
- Adult program
Preregistration is required. Please call Welty Environmental Center to register: 608-361-1377, or email [email protected]
About NATC Stream Team Programs
Stream Team programs for adults and youth offer a fun and rewarding way to protect and improve local streams, rivers and our watershed. All ages and backgrounds can get involved and we welcome any level of involvement you choose to take.
This Nature At The Confluence Stream Team program is offered through a partnership with Welty Environmental Center and is supported by a grant Nature At The Confluence received from the Colonel Robert H. Morse Foundation.
We’re celebrating South Beloit’s Centennial with an Outdoor Community Worship hosted by Daystar Christian Fellowship at Nature At The Confluence.
This non-denominational worship service is open to all faiths. Come celebrate God’s handiwork in the beautiful setting of the Nature At The Confluence campus.
Daystar Christian Fellowship is located at 1401 Blackhawk Blvd, South Beloit, IL, but the service will be held at Nature At The Confluence, 306 Dickop Street, South Beloit.
Learn more about Daystar Christian Fellowship at their website.
Nature At The Confluence is celebrating South Beloit’s Centennial by holding an Open House at Nature At The Confluence! Come wander our grounds, visit the Learning Center and find out about the plans for this beautiful new space in South Beloit.
12pm-2pm – Pop Up Discovery Stops for Kids – Wander around the campus, and stop by our Pop Up Discover Stops featuring Water Play, Sand Play and Stone Play.
12pm – Every Last Drop, Clean Water for All: Youth Stream Team Program – Free Program for Youth Ages 5-13. Registration Required! Visit this page to learn more and to register.
1:30pm: The Confluence: Looking Back, Looking Forward – Come learn about this beautiful location at this presentation. The confluence of Turtle Creek and the Rock River has been inhabited by humans for thousands of years, as fertile land and abundant resources made it a very desirable place to live. Native American Indians settled here, fur traders used the waters as a trade route, and in the last 100 years, South Beloit has become a bustling community.
Let’s Get Wet and Discover More About Our Watershed!
We all depend on clean water, but how do we make sure this precious resource is safe? We will spend some time exploring the Confluence streams to study surface water in action. Then, we will construct mini wetlands to learn more about the water cycle and how our actions on land affect the quality of our water supply. What can we do to protect and restore our region’s waterways?
- Free Program for Youth Ages 5-13
- Bring waders or boots if you have them, waders will also be provided for use.
- Pre-registration required
About NATC Stream Team Programs
Stream Team programs for adults and youth offer a fun and rewarding way to protect and improve local streams, rivers and our watershed. All ages and backgrounds can get involved and we welcome any level of involvement you choose to take.
This Nature At The Confluence Stream Team program is offered through a partnership with Welty Environmental Center and is supported by a grant Nature At The Confluence received from the Colonel Robert H. Morse Foundation.
Weeds happen! We invite you to be part of the Green Team and help us stay on top of the weeding and other invasive plants at Nature At The Confluence! Spend as much time as you can share to help bring this land back to life! Come for 1 to 2 hours whenever you are available on Wednesdays, 9am-11am.
- Bring garden gloves, bug spray, sun screen and any tools you prefer to attack weeds!
- We provide drinking water and granola bars.
Click here to register to volunteer, or you can just show up!
Sensory gardens strive to maximize the sensory impact that the garden has on its visitors. Sensory gardens encourage garden guests to touch, taste, admire and listen. All gardens are sensory but through proper plant selection and placement, along with the use of other garden elements and features, we can maximize sensory engagement (all five senses). Through this free program you’ll get ideas on how to maximize the “sensory impact” of your entire garden.
This program will be held in the Indoor Learn Center at Nature At The Confluence and you’ll also be invited to visit our new Sensory Garden. There is no cost for the program, but a free will offering will be taken to support our gardens. No registration is needed, but seating is limited to 55 people.
Guest Speaker: Mark Dwyer, Director of Horticulture, Rotary Botanical Gardens (Janesville, WI). Along with a talented grounds staff and dedicated volunteers, he oversees the maintenance and improvement of this 20 acre botanical garden. Mark has degrees in landscape architecture (University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana) and urban forestry (University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point). His true passion is obtaining, growing, observing and photographing all manner of plants.
Weeds happen! We invite you to be part of the Green Team and help us stay on top of the weeding and other invasive plants at Nature At The Confluence! Spend as much time as you can share to help bring this land back to life! Come for 1 to 2 hours whenever you are available on Wednesdays, 9am-11am.
- Bring garden gloves, bug spray, sun screen and any tools you prefer to attack weeds!
- We provide drinking water and granola bars.
Click here to register to volunteer, or you can just show up!
