Lakeview Nature Area
10050 N. 1500th Road (Spring Lake Road)
Macomb, IL. 61455
309-836-2887 (phone)
309-836-7095 (fax)
309-837-7301 (TTY)

The mission of Lakeview Nature Area is to promote stewardship and conservation of the environment through experiential education. Adjacent to Spring Lake Park and nestled in over 350 acres including prairie, wetland, timber, and grass lands, Lakeview is an ideal place to learn about native Illinois plants and animals.

Enjoy hikes through 55 acres of restored prairie. As you relax, see if you can find Lakeview's resident families of beaver, fox, deer, turkey and more.

Framing of the nature center is hand hewn oak timbers, that are mortise and tenon. No nails hold the framework together, only wooden pegs. The result is a beautiful natural wood smell, a warm country feel, and the perfect place to retreat with friends and family.

Lakeview Nature Center has interactive displays and hands on programs that emphasize exploration and investigation of the environment with an interdisciplinary approach. Science, math, recreation, social studies, and more can be discovered with the help of talented naturalists.

WHITE-TAILED DEER (Grades: 1 - 5)
Everyone has had the experience of seeing them standing by the side of the road. They are beautiful, but we are overpopulated by white-tailed deer. Learn how these deer live and why we have so many. Let our naturalist help you find out about the life and problems of the deer. Hands on activities make this program special. Maximum of 10 participants.

MONARCH MAGIC (Grades: 1 - 5)
Come on out and chase butterflies for tagging. You will discover the mysterious of monarch migration, how to tag a butterfly, how to raise monarchs and learn about the newest butterfly research. Find out how you can be apart of scientific facts about monarch butterflies. Maximum of 12 participants

MOM AND ME NATURE CLUB (Ages: 4 - 5 and a parent)
Mom and Me Nature Club is an easy way to help your child make the connection between themselves and the natural world. Pick one or all the following dates. These themed based programs will offer a story, sharing time, simple crafts movement and/or outside mini hikes each Saturday. Parents are strongly encouraged to come and play with your child. Maximum 6 pairs

BADGERS AND SKUNKS (Grades: 1 - 5)
These two bad boys of the woods are labeled with a bad reputation. Find out how they are similar and how they are different. What do they eat? Where do they live? Why are they so mysterious? Come and discover the true lives of these hunters. Maximum of 10 participants

RACCOONS AND OPOSSUMS (Grades: 1 - 5)
These nocturnal animals are often seen as nuisances in town. In the woods they have busy lives. You'll explore where they live, what they do daily, and what role they play in the forest environment. We have loads of fun activities to help make this program one of our best. Maximum of 10 participants.

LET'S GO BUGGY (Grades: 1 - 5)
Creepy, crawly bugs are the best to look at and study. If you love bugs come join us and explore the insect world. You'll hunt under rocks and in the prairie to find the best bugs. Let our naturalist help your bug knowledge grow. Maximum of 10 participants

THE HANDSOME RED FOX (Grades: 1 - 5)
This clever hunter has been seen frequently in McDonough County. Find out why foxes are being seen more, where they prefer to live, and who are their enemies. Our naturalist has all sorts of facts and activities to help you learn more about these predators. Maximum of 10 participants.

CREEPY, CRAWLY SPIDERS (Grades: 1 - 5)
Itsy-bitsy or not, either you like spiders or they give you the "willies". Discover the strange world of spiders. From it's ability to spin a web, to the usual places they can live, spiders are very special to our environments. Come out and discover the world of spiders. Maximum of 10 participants.

HOOTING OWLS (Grades: 1 - 5)
These night hunters are great birds to explore. You will learn how owls live, their baby owlets, and how they can hunt so quietly. Hands-on activities like track printing, feather investigation, and owl pellets will help you explore the world of owls. Maximum of 10 participants.

THE PRAIRIE PUMPKIN HUNT
Put on your detective shoes and come to Lakeview Nature Center for the Prairie Pumpkin Hunt. Search for the 12 pumpkins hiding in the prairie. This fundraiser for the Bluebird Project helps Lakeview Nature Center maintain the 50 bluebird boxes at Lakeview Nature Area. The goal of the Prairie Pumpkin Hunt is for your family to find pumpkins just off the trails in the 55 acres of prairie. Prairie Pumpkin Hunt will be held Thursday through Sunday afternoons from 1 pm - 4:30 pm, October 9 - 12, October 16 - 19, and October 23 - 26. Groups should call ahead to make arrangements (309) 836-2887. This activity is open to adults and children, under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

HIGH FLYING BATS! (Grades: 1 - 5)
Bats may be one of the most misunderstood mammals. These great fliers are really beneficial to gardens and plant lovers. Lots of activities and scientific experiments will help you become a bat specialist. Maximum of 10 participants.

RETURN OF THE MAD SCIENTIST (Grades: 4 - 6)
Hey we've got some new things to show you! Fuzz, gurgle, and brew! Our popular hands-on-chemistry program will help you learn to love the world of chemistry. We will do experiments with common kitchen ingredients with some surprising results. Start your scientific brain now and join us for some fun! Maximum of 12 participants.

PUMPKIN PARTY
You and your family are invited to a Pumpkin Party to be held at Lakeview Nature Center. We gave planned special crafts, activities, games, and fun all based on the theme PUMPKINS! Fee includes a Prairie Pumpkin Hunt card and snacks around the fire ring! We hope you'll join us! This activity is limited to 15 families.

WILD TURKEYS (Grades: 1 - 5)
The first time you see a wild turkey you are stunned by the color of their feathers. Illinois turkeys are one of our state's largest birds. Discover their unique choice of habitats, their dance, and their hidden ways. We have loads of information and activities planned just for you. Maximum of 10 participants.

THE WORLD OF MARBLES (Grades: 1 - 3)
Welcome to the wonderful world of marbles. Let our marvelous expert help you tame wild marbles. Learn how to make them jump, follow each other, and do tricks. Make marvelous masterpieces with marbles. We guarantee a "marvelous" good time. Maximum of 10 participants.

POLAR BEAR - ENDANGERED ANIMALS (Grades: 1 - 5)
The polar bear is one of the largest mammals. Their isolated life on floating ice is dangerously disappearing. Find out why the polar bears are endangered now and how their life, babies, and food sources add to the decline. Loads of hands-on-activities to help you learn. Maximum of 10 participants.

MASTERING MAGNETS (Grades: 1 - 5)
Do you like to play with magnets? Have you found new ways to use magnets? Experiment with different kinds and shapes of magnets in this program. Find out how and why they attract and repel other magnets. Loads of real science, experiments and discoveries! Maximum of 12 participants.

SEA TURTLES - ENDANGERED ANIMALS (Grades: 1 - 5)
How do these turtles travel thousands of miles across the ocean? What is causing their numbers to drop? Our naturalist has a great program planned just for you. Lots of turtle activities, time for sharing, and new information about sea turtles. Don't miss this program. Maximum of 10 participants.

ZAP! ZAP! ELECTRICITY (Grades: 4 - 6)
Learn the very basics of electricity in this program. We'll do some simple experiments and talk about how to be safe with electricity. We'll explore how to make things move with electrical energy. A safe look at this exciting topic. Maximum of 10 participants.

MANATEE - ENDANGERED ANIMALS (Grades: 1 - 5)
These large mammals have been misunderstood for years? How do they survive? What do they eat? Why are they important in the wetland ecosystem? Our naturalist has a great program planned. Hope you join us. Maximum of 10 participants.

DOLPHINS - ENDANGERED ANIMALS (Grades: 1 - 5)
The allure of the ocean makes these unusual mammals more mysterious. Let our naturalist help you explore the world of the dolphin, their song, their habits and travels. You will enjoy unlocking the mysteries of these watery mammals. Maximum of 10 participants.