July
Forest Hike
July 25th
Join Urban Forester Jennifer Behnken on the Giant City Nature Trail as she discusses tree identification, Illinois forests,
wood products, cultural history, and invasive species. This will be a fun interpretive hike focused on trees and forests.
No registration required. 10am-noon, meet at Giant City Nature Trail located next to shelter #3
Giant City State Park
August
2015 Calendar of Events
Trail of Tears Hummingbird Festival
August 1st
Head out to Trail of Tears State Forest for this annual family friendly event! Vernon Kleen, a licensed hummingbird
bander, will begin the festival with a short discussion about hummingbirds and why they we band them. Mr. Kleen will
be capturing and banding ruby-throated hummingbirds. Other activities include games, face painting and a hummingbird information station. No registration required. 9am– noon, Trail of Tears State Forest
Owls of Giant City
August 22nd
Whoooooo said Giant City has owls? I do, that’s whoooooo! Join Beverly Shofstall from Free Again Wildlife Rehab as
she introduces us to some live owls that you may find at the park! After the presentation, stick around to roast marshmallows over a campfire and maybe dissect an owl pellet. This will be an outdoor program. No registration required.
7-9pm, Giant City State Park, Shelter #3 located next to the Giant City Nature Trail.
September
Reptiles!
September 12th
Reptiles really are wonderful! Come out and learn all about these often misunderstood creatures and visit with some
live reptiles! No registration required. 10-11am, Giant City Visitors Center
Journey of the Monarch
September 20th
Every fall thousands of Monarch butterflies migrate south to central Mexico! Giant City State Park is a great stopping
point for these small creatures. Come out and help the University of Kansas track these insects by participating in a
tagging program. There will be a short introduction and then we will head out to the field to catch and tag as many
migrating Monarchs as we can find. Registrations are required. 1 - 2:30 pm, meet at Visitors Center
October
Fall photography workshop
October 17th
The leaves are changing color and the air is cool and crisp! What a great time of the year to dig out the camera and head
out to Giant City for a fall photography workshop. We will discuss techniques and settings, then head out to the trail to
take some shots. Registrations are required for this program. 4-6pm, Giant City State Park Visitors Center
For the love of Liverworts
October 31st
Liverwhaaat? Liverworts!! Giant City is full of them! If you are interested in learning more, head out to the Giant City
Visitor’s center where John A. Logan Biology instructor, Abel Kinser will discuss these interesting plants. We will
have the opportunity to observe some liverworts through a microscope and on a hiking trail. No registration required
1-4pm, Giant City Visitors Center
November
Wonders of Winter Hike
November 14th
Join the Natural Resources Coordinator for a hike to discover where some of the Giant City wildlife take cover when
it’s cold outside. We will see just how active the woods really are in the winter! 1-3pm, Meet at the Visitors Center
Giant City State Park
235 Giant City Road
Makanda, IL 62958
618-457-4836
All Programs are free unless otherwise noted. Call or visit the Giant City Visitor’s Center for
more information.
January
April
Winter Trail Walk for Fitness
January 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st
It may be cold outside but winter is a great time to get some exercise and fresh air as we take in the natural beauty of
Giant City’s eight trails. Join the Natural Resources Coordinator as we choose a new trail each week. Trails will
range from 1/3 to 2 miles. For more information please contact the Giant City Visitors Center. No registration required. 9-10 am, meet at the Giant City Visitors Center
Spring Wildflower Walks
April 4th and 11th
Trillium Trail in Giant City is one of the best spring wildflower trails in Southern Illinois. Join the Natural Resources
Coordinator as we meander through the spring woods and take a closer look at these petite beauties.
Please register in advance. This is a moderately difficult 2 mile trail with some steep stair climbing. 10am-noon, meet
at the Visitors Center
Illinois Native Plant Society Photography Workshop
April 17th, 18th, 24th and 25th
This fun four day class will cover the basic techniques and settings used in digital wildflower photography. Students
must bring a digital camera to class. Space is limited so, pre-registration is necessary. Cost is $50. For more information or to register, please contact: [email protected]
February
Winter Trail Walk for Fitness
February 7th, 21st and 28th
Join the Natural Resources Coordinator to hike a different trail each week surrounded by the natural beauty of Giant
City. Trails will range from 1/3 to 2 miles. For more information please contact the Giant City Visitors Center. No
registration required. 9-10 am, meet at the Giant City Visitors Center
May
Birding for Beginners
February 14th
Are you interested in birding but not sure where to start? Join Volunteer and bird fan Torri Withrow as she shares her
enthusiasm and birding tips with us! She will go over the basics of bird identification and take participants on a mini
birding hike. No registration required.9am-11am, Giant City Visitor’s Center
Amazing Mammals
May 16th
Head out to Giant City to join Bev Shofstall from Free Again Wildlife Rehab as she introduces us to some of her
amazing mammal friends! This program is recommended for all ages and will be held outdoors at Shelter #3 by the
Giant City Nature Trail. No registration required. 1-2pm, Meet at Shelter #3
Friends of Giant City Annual Meeting
February 17th
Would you like to learn more about the Friends of Giant City? If so, why not join us for the annual meeting. Meet
Friends members and enjoy refreshments and a guest presenter. Anyone interested in learning more about the Friends
group or the park is encouraged to attend. 5:30-7pm, Giant City Visitors Center
June
A Year of Wildflowers at Giant City State Park
February 19th
It’s been a while since we have seen the bright colors of spring, summer and fall wildflowers. Join John A. Logan
instructor and plant enthusiast, Abel Kinser as he shares his brilliant photos and discusses some of Giant City’s most
vibrant inhabitants. No registration required. 6:30pm, Giant City Visitors Center
March
Tracing Footsteps
March 14th
Join Geologist Joe Devera will present an enthralling program on the search for Arthropleura, a genus of extinct
long millipede arthropods in the Upper Carboniferous of Illinois.
No registration required. 10am, Giant City Visitors Center
Giant City Stewardship Day
March 28th
Do you have a group or organization looking for a way to contribute to your community? Giant City State Park can
provide the opportunity! Build trails, paint signs, pick up litter and help make your park a little more beautiful! Lunch
will be provided to all registered groups. For more information or to register, please contact the Visitors Center. 9am,
Giant City Visitor’s Center
Illinois Free Fishing Days
June 5th-8th
Did you know that Giant City State Park has many walk-in ponds where you can fish? Celebrate the Illinois Free
Fishing Days by visiting one of Giant City’s 13 ponds. The Visitors Center even has fishing poles and tackle that you
can borrow for FREE! For a map and more information please stop by the Visitors Center.
Junior Naturalist Summer Program
June 11th, 18th and 25th
This three week program of nature fun will focus on a different natural feature of Giant City State Park each week!
We’ll explore creeks and woods looking for birds, insects, mammals, snakes and flowers. Programs will include
games and take-home crafts. Reserve a spot for your child ages 7-10 for one week or for all three! These programs
are free however, registration is required and will begin on May 1st. For more information and to register, please contact the Natural Resources Coordinator. 9:30-noon
The Art of Pollination
June 19th
Pollination is an essential part of a healthy ecosystem. Head out to Giant City to learn about pollinators of all shapes
and sizes by getting creative. We will get our hands dirty as we create pollinator collages using pictures, paint and
mixed media. Reserve a spot for your child ages 11-15 by calling the Visitors Center. 1-2pm, Giant City Visitors
Center
Wild Plants of Giant City
June 27th
Giant City State Park is home to hundreds of species of amazing plants. Join John A. Logan Biology instructor and
plant enthusiast, Abel Kinser for a Wild Plant Hike on the 1 mile Giant City Nature Trail. Mr. Kinser has taught
science in Southern Illinois for the last ten years and has been exploring Giant City for decades.
No registration required. 10am-1pm, meet at the Visitors Center.