Clifftop
Ducks and Waterfowl Of SW Illinois
Monroe County Annex 901 Illinois Av., Waterloo, IL, United StatesLearn about the birds that swim in our ponds, lakes and rivers at this event presented by Carl Handel, IDNR District Wildlife Biologist, and Gretchen Steele from the Delta Waterfowl Foundation. Bird watchers and duck hunters alike should find the presentation entertaining and informative. Topics of discussion will include waterfowl species that frequent Illinois and…
Prairie Tours
Paul Wightman Subterranean Nature Preserve 3255 G Road, Fults, IL, United StatesEnjoy the beautiful grasses and wildflowers of the restored prairie while learning about the ecology of the plantings on this guided tour. Clifftop board member and SWIC biology professor, Laura Schaefer, will be your guide. Topics discussed may include learning some of the key plants and wildlife associated with the prairie ecosystem and how biologically…
Prairie Tour
Paul Wightman Subterranean Nature Preserve 3255 G Road, Fults, IL, United StatesEnjoy the beautiful grasses and wildflowers of the restored prairie at Paul Wightman Subterranean Nature Preserve, 3325 G Road, Fults, while learning about the ecology of the plantings on this guided tour. Clifftop board member and SWIC Biology Professor, Laura Schaefer, will be your guide. Topics discussed may include learning some of the key plants…
Bobcat: Illinois’ Native Cat
Monroe County Annex 901 Illinois Av., Waterloo, IL, United StatesBobcats, named for their short, bobbed tail are about twice the size of a common house cat. They use their keen sight and hearing to hunt rabbits, squirrels, small rodents and some birds. They are mostly nocturnal, reclusive animals that prefer wooded areas. Once hunted almost to extinction in the Midwest, bobcats have been making…
Laura’s Native Garden Tour in Millstadt
Laura's Native Garden 300 West Harrison, Millstadt, IL, United StatesLaura will open her .46 acre native plant garden for a tour. Learn about what native plants grow well locally, how to garden with nature and neighbors in mind and best practices for attracting native life to your yard. Meet at the east gate of the large fenced-in yard along South Jackson Street.
Cicadas of Illinois: New Discoveries and Our Local Soundscapes
Monroe County Annex 901 Illinois Ave., Waterloo, IL, United StatesJoin Catherine (Katie) Dana, Entomology Scientific Specialist from the Illinois Natural History Survey Sept. 10 from 1-3 p.m. at the Monroe County Annex building in Waterloo as they take an audio tour of the many cicada species found in Illinois and learn about their unique life histories. In 2019, on the clifftops of Monroe County,…
Winter Tree ID Field Trip
White Rock Nature Preserve 6438 Bluff Road, Valmeyer, IL, United StatesJoin us as former Illinois Department of Natural Resources District Forester, Bear Engbring, leads the trip and shows us how to tell a tree's species by tree bark ID. The field trip is free and open to the public. Participants should dress for the weather, wear sturdy boots and bring drinking water. Reservations requested by…
Insights to the Birds of Monroe County
Monroe County History Museum 724 Elaine Drive, Waterloo, IL, United StatesMike Avara will discuss some of the 300 birds that visit, fly over or reside in Monroe County seasonally and some citizen science projects that give us insight into the lives of these birds.
Isolated Wetlands, How do fish arrive and what do they do when they show up?
Monroe County Annex 901 Illinois Av., Waterloo, IL, United StatesIn June 2023, Clemson University PhD student, Josh Holbrook, two undergraduate students and Jeremy Schumacher (from Ozark Koala Ecosystem Services) conducted trapping surveys at 8 ponds at Paul Wightman Subterranean Nature Preserve. Fifteen traps were put in each pond and checked on consecutive days. Fish were found in two ponds, one that was unknown to…
Collect Your Own Native Prairie Seeds
Paul Wightman Subterranean Nature Preserve 3255 G Road, Fults, IL, United StatesThis is a collaborative event between Clifftop and SWIL Wild Ones. Join Laura Schaefer on a walk along an ADA-accessible trail while picking your own native wildflower and grass seed mix to take home. Laura will guide you in plant id, how to collect, preserve and grow your native seed collection. This is the only…